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

Thanks for clarification from a retired HM . Most weenies don’t know marine corps is part of Navy Dept.

I guess that sometimes, you may have to come off as a butthole to someone about making sure that standards are followed and enforced at the junior level in hopes of that discipline with carry over to the senior level once they get there.

Far as I can tell, you were correct in making that on-the-spot correction. I don't know if you happened to be in a "no-hat, no-salute" zone, but IT IS possible that the PFC could have been mistaken about something like that. I don't know because I wasn't there. BUT, you did the right thing! If we can't count on these junior soldiers to do the right thing with the small stuff, how are we supposed to trust them with the big stuff?

As SGM Frazer said. Speaking as a retired Major - that Major was wrong, and you were right. Reminds me of a scene in "The Guns at Batasi" - - - where Rhichard Attenborough's character jacks up an EM for failure to salute. Worth a watch.

"Is your arm broke?"

SPC (Join to see) Okay I read many of the posts here and disagree with some agree with others. So I decided I would speak directly to you and not the others I feel that is counter productive.
In Correcting the PFC you were right. Your body language and voice tone may have made you look like a Mad Pitbull. I would have to assume a lot to answer this question as asked and could assume either way (both good/bad).
So my answer to you is reassess the situation Did you just Lamb blast the PFC or did talk to here in a manner that would put her on the defense.

I am not saying be overly nice but if you come off like HEY PFC and asked the question in front of the Officers present then Yes you could have come off a little aggressive better to give a short pause and then still correct the PFC. I would have said excuse me Sir I will catch up I have something to do then spoke to the PFC. IF it were AIT OR BOOT then it would be different.

Considering the happened in late 2014 I am sure you have been promoted and have learned a leadership style that your comfortable with.

Thankyou for your service and Good luck to you.

I think you handled it well. That's a lot nicer than we'd have gotten 25 years ago when I was a PFC. I've taught soldiers recently. It is a kinder gentler Army, but 5hats not necessarily a bad thing. Tact is definitely needed with younger troops today. Again, though, I think the original poster handled that pretty well.

Peel away from the Major and stop the PFC. Have a direct chat with the PFC expressing her error by imparting to her the military customs & Courtesy. Have the PFC approach the MAJOR, apologize and render the proper salute with the greeting of the day. Correction of mistakes is never wrong; overlooking an error deliberately is error squared. The Major should not have interfered and allowed compliance.

If it involves good order and discipline, I suggest that a) breaches of basic military courtesies, good order, and discipline , REQUIRE aggressive action to correct. And b) you can usually aggressively correct breaches of discipline tactfully, without embarrassment to most of the personnel involved.

In the case here, I might start with, "Excuse me, gentlemen...", step away, "Hey, Trooper, come here, I need a minute of your time." Once I had his attention, the next question would be, "Is there a reason why you failed to salute that company-grade officer and 5hat field-grade officer just now?"

How he answers will determine what you do with him next. Good troopers screw up just like boots, and that's forgivable. [In my case, I saluted, said, "Sorry, sir, my head was a thousand miles away, no excuse, sir." And my apology was accepted...] If he gets even the least belligerent, you'll have to hammer him, and I hope your Major understands that.

And the other important lesson to share with the PFC (or anyone else in the same circumstance) is a reminder to always be aware of your surroundings. Saluting is a great custom and courteous that also teaches vigilance.