Posted on Dec 14, 2018
What’s the proper way to correct someone when not saluting an officer?
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I was walking with a Navy LT and an Army Maj. (My hospital has both services) from the USO across the street to the hospital and a PFC passed and didn’t salute. I stopped and asked her, “Do enlisted soldiers not salute officers anymore?” The Maj. with me said I didn’t have to be so aggressive about it. What’s a better way of addressing it without coming off as aggressive?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 388
There's no such thing as being too aggressive and especially to an enlisted who failed to perform one of the most basic drills taught in Basic Training under FM 22-5. U.S. Army drill and ceremony provides discipline, esprit de corps for more than 238 years. Friedrich Wilhelm Augustus von Steuben, chiefly known in America as "Baron von Steuben" (1730-1794), was an officer in the Prussian Army from 1746-63 and a major general in the Continental Army from 1778-84.
As a Senior NCO, I will write down the name, rank, and Company Commander's name and company to report such infraction, which will result in a verbal reprimand and an Article 15.
As a Senior NCO, I will write down the name, rank, and Company Commander's name and company to report such infraction, which will result in a verbal reprimand and an Article 15.
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While this is an older question, I think we find that those in the Medical Corps are a bit more relaxed with customs and courtesies as they are more focused on the health care of our service members. In the grand scheme of things, the military will not cease to function, but a simple reminder of good order and discipline never hurts.
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I agree with you- an enlisted is SUPPOSED to salute I'd have made her drop and give me 20
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I may be from the old school, but there are somethings in the military that should not be overlooked and should be agressively enforced. The salute is to show respect and differerence to a superior officer or from enlisted to officer of the uniform and the officers rank not the individual wearing the uniform. The given salute is also returned for the same reasons. come on guys this has never been changed. ED TAYLOR US NAVY AND US ARMY PO2/PO3 AN SGT TRAINING NCO,PATHFINDER, SUPPLY SCT, COMBAT ENG. BOSN MATE, HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPR. AND CB'S. Been there done that bought the t shirt and used it to shine my shoes.
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You were definitely exercising general military authority by correcting this Soldier. The MAJ is entitled to their opinion, but every Soldier is charged with enforcing Army regulation. The only suggestion that I would make is that Soldiers should be corrected out of earshot of others, and approached in a manner so as to maintain the Soldier’s dignity, and it should be an instructive moment such as, “Private do you understand that AR 600-25 obligates you to render a salute to all commissioned and warrant officers?” Conversely, an example of an appropriate time to correct someone within earshot of others would be witnessing a safety violation where someone may be injured or worse or when a group must be corrected for the same infraction.
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Seems pretty appropriate to me, I do it with my LTs as well when it rears its ugly head. It all comes down to customs and traditions. None of us is above it and none of us is exempt. I've seen a CSM go about elbow deep in a Trooper. He certainly got his point across and the decorum between Enlisted and Officer was clearly re-established. NCOs and in your case a SPC hold the line. It's what we do and sometimes your point has to get across clearly. I respectfully believe you did the right thing.
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It's not really surprising honestly. There are more and more millennial attitudes in officers nowadays. The officers in my unit do not like being saluted. But as for correction, I personally have a verbal than written mindset. Pull the soldier aside first and explain with a firm yet understanding tone about there deficiencies.
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Is to call him and tell the person how important its to salute a superior officer and tell him not saluting could lead to charge
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You did right. The Major should and the Navy LT should have made the correction.
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I won't mention the General's name but our FA unit was at Graf doing live fire. I think this was around 1984 or 85. Our BC went to main post and while he was inside HQ the new BG who had just gotten his first star came walking by. The driver who was a private and a dirt bag did not get out of his jeep or render a salute. Result: that BG came to our firing point and for one hour he observed our battery doing D&C on proper salutes. Present arms......order arms, for an hour.
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I once made the mistake of saluting a LtCol and Captain with a cigarette in my right hand. The Captain grabbed me by my lapels and slammed me against the wall while he chewed me out. I was a PFC at the time and never made that mistake again!
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Senior Enlisted are responsible for training military customs and courtesy
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Depends on the command. Many are top heavy with officers and don't salute....Hospitals are normally such commands... everyone is also called by their first names.... If the officers were not concerned ...you shouldn't be. Now with an infantry, unit that's a different story.
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Suspended Profile
Passive aggressive. Turn, say Solider to attract attention, offer a hand salute. Accept appology graciously
There is no way of correcting a fellow soldier for disregard of army regulations than by being aggressive. You should also correct the Major by telling him or her that you are a professional soldier who hopes to become an effective NCO and that you are duty bound to correct all violations of established regulations in that endeavor. The Major was wrong in not correcting the PFC himself. You are to be commended for your actions in this matter.
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I think you should have been more aggressive! What is up with the Pfc? He/she should have been doing push-ups!!!
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PFC Alma Ramirez-Sherrill
Really- she was on her way to the hospital - first find out if she needed medical attention - then if not - then they he could feed is weak ego.
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