What’s the proper way to correct someone when not saluting an officer?

Ask if it is a no salute zone. If it is a salute zone, tell the soldier they need to pull their head out of their fifth point of contact and salute an officer when within 6 paces.

Not correcting the private in front of the officers.

was the Army Major a doctor? Doctors frequently do not have training in military discipline. I saw this frequently as a young Marine officer back in the dark ages, as our medical personnel we re all furnished by the Navy, for which we are eternally very grateful. The Navy doctors had a much different relationship with enlisted personnel than Marine line officers did. Not saying the Major was correct but it would explain his attitude.

The other issue may be that they saw the LT and tried to fly under the radar. I remember when I was an A1C at lackland, me and my Wingmen used to always get chased down by groups of butter bars that were fresh out of The academy. And they would harass both the Tech Schoolers and trainees. So another possibility would have been that they didn’t want it to happen again.

I would say, “ Excuse me PFC, when was the last time you had an eye exam?” Whatever he answers, I would say, “ You need them checked again, because you past a ofr without saluting.” Unless if it’s life or death, it doesn’t require meanness or hostility. Use humor. There was an old joke about a military person coming back to base drunk. As he was stumbling down the sidewalk, he was trying to find his lighter to light his cigarette. It was very dark and he saw a figure in front of him. He said,” Hey buddy, you got a light?” The figure replied “yes” as the light from the lighter got to the military persons cigarette, to his horror, he realized it was a General. The military person snapped to attention and blubbered his apologies. The General stated, “ That ok son, just be grateful I wasn’t 2nd Lieutenant .” Sometimes we get distracted, our minds are elsewhere. If it isn’t life or death, use humor

This boggles the mind. Since when should a SM NOT receive on-the-spot correction for something like that?! I don't thing there is any better way of addressing that. Now, had you been an NCO, the conversation probably could have been handled while the PFC was in the front-leaning rest. That's how it was handled in my day, anyhow....

You need to correct that behavior at the time it happens and find out who there chain of command is to fix this disrespect to any officer, Some people have forgotten you salute the rank that is on the person , Also once this happens the person should be made to research the reason we salute and the history behind it, an they should be made to stand in front of there chain of command and read the history of why we salut.I myself have this happen when I was walking with a Lt and stopped the person and corrected this behavior

A Captain was one of the reasons I left the Air Force. I had 3 days before reenlisting and I was walking to the BX at Hamilton AFB when the Captain was also walking toward the same door of the BX. I did not salute him as he was at 20 feet away from me and I would have had to turn sideways. He dressed me down because I did not salute him. He embarrassed me for that. After that I did not reenlist. He was just being an egomaniac. Of course I had no respect for him. I have a 30% disability for PTSD for assault 3 times.

I think that sometimes, situation depending, making someone feel a little guilty or embarrassed is better than an ass chewing because they don’t want to get embarrassed or make the same mistake again.

“I’m sorry private, I must be jacked up if I don’t rate a salute. Don’t worry I’ll fix myself. As you were.”

I think you handled it fine. Though the Major should have said excuse me PFC didn't you see the LT and I?

You did the right thing. As sometimes happens (I'm assuming the Major was medical services) they're not used to the basic military customs and courtesies of any service since they were probably direct commissioned and later had some quick shake and bake school. If the Major was not direct commissioned then it was a flat out mistake on his/her part to be that direct and, to that point, you just say "yes Sir/Ma'am" and carry on bringing the minor exchange to your CoC.

The last time I checked the regs., all enlisted, up to E9 will salute all officers, yes including 2LT. However, as our society and military moves towards a more "sensitive" military, one in which we don't hurt anyone's feelings. We forget to enforce basic military courtesy and respect, for fear of a potential IG complaint. Call me old fashioned, but I learned a long time ago while serving in the Marines, that we salute the rank, not the man/woman wearing. And yes, the major in the posting was/is wrong; it is that precise attitude that landed us on this posting to start with...

Saluting is an exchange (greeting) between members of an honorable profession. Choosing not to salute or not to return a salute is just dishonorable and disrespectful. When I was a Tech Sgt (USAF), I encountered just to opposite where an enlisted member saluted and two medical officers turned their heads. I very "politely" approached the officers, with salute I held until they returned it. Then I prefaced everything I was about to share with the magic words, "With all due respect gentlemen." The rest of my talk was not very polite. Then I saluted, turned, and left with their due respect.

You did exactly right. The Major was in the wrong. It's unfortunately part of this newer "feels first" military.

Aggressive would have been walking back, locking the PFC into position of attention demanding name and unit and then turning it over to their CoC to correct and re-train.

The only thing I would have done differently was I would have taken the PFC off to the side to do the corrective action. Other than that I think you were perfectly right in what you did.

I actually had to handle a situation or two like this. The way I addressed the situation was, "Hey PFC get back here". When the PFC returned and saw the officer he rendered the proper salute. If he hadn't, I would of required that he do so at that moment. Then I asked "Why the hell didn't you salute the commissioned officer the first time when he was so damn close he could have bitten you? Now IF, by chance the knucklehead works in an environment like the Pentagon where half the services don't even wear a cover and there is no saluting, you may understand their ignorant behavior, but then remind them that they are not there anymore and they need to pay more @#% attention to their %#$@% surroundings! ("Of course I may have used more colorful language back in the day so as to not make the situation boring.)

Continue saluting. You are showing respect to the rank and not the person

I would tell them be more aware of their surrounding. It doesn't matter what branch a strip is strip, a Bar or bars, oak leaf, FUll bird and a star is a star in any branch. When In doubt salute and away

Sounds like you were PC enough to me.

I also would take the offender aside and correct them!