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.

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.

Excuse yourself from the major and drop that PFC for 20. Have her do a half-face and drop her for 20 more! Assign an NCO to see she gets into full battle gear for 20 laps around the entire hospital perimeter. She will salute you next time. Lol.

That one was always easy. Ask the soldier if his arm is injured. If he says no, then dress him down.

What happened to integrity? Who gives a shit if someone's feelings get hurt.

I had an officer tell me that my desire to ensure proper observation of customs and courtesies was admirable, I really didn't need to say to the Marine in question, "HEY, F***HEAD! GO BACK AND SALUTE THAT OFFICER, RETARD!"

No matter what you do someone is going to say you committed psychological violence against them. When we are supposed to salute then we do it in a crisp manner, period. Not doing so is wrong and this disregard and disrespect seems to only be getting worse. They act like it's a chore to render a salute much less a proper one, when it's an honor to even perform the courtesy in the first place...

I don’t think you were to aggressive

That is not aggressive if said in the right tone. In fact, if a strong effort was made by the officer in a humorous tone via a question, that’s the perfect way.

It depends on person who failed to salute. Someone that’s just out of basic/boot camp may never had contact with a commissioned officer and be a little flustered. More experienced (6+ months) enlisted personnel should have no excuse. That said, senior enlisted are usually more than happy take care of the matter. If they’re not there, I usually stop the individual and ask them whether they were taught to salute an officer. They’re usually embarrassed, snap off a quick salute, which I return. On a side note, I was the guest of honor at a recruit graduation several years ago. The incoming CO (an O-6) was taking my on a tour and several recruits failed to salute her. Her first question was what week they were in. If they were in the first three weeks, she would correct them and then take the name of the Recruit Division Commander. If they were in the middle three weeks, she was much more aggressive. And then again took the RDC’s name. My guess is the CMDCM got a call and request to follow up with the RDC. Then came a recruit that was close to graduation. Whoa, Nellie. He was blistered. I suspect the recruit’s RDC had to make a trip to see the new CO.

Chastise or correct in private.
Praise in public.
At least start out that way. If someone continues to repeat errors, making it public might help, it might not. But starting out the gate by publicly embarrassing someone who probably didn't intend to not respect your authority will most likely ensure they never do, even if they do salute you...

Boy am i glad I retired out when I did. The military is getting weak on discipline and on the spot corrections. If you can't get the soldiers to perform their most basic functions how the hell do you expect to get them to perform as a soldier/warrior when the time comes.

I always showed respect to Officers and expected a small measure of respect in return. We had a Prima Donna C.O in Iraq. Signs were posted "Snipers, no salute area". He would scream at enlisted for not saluting him ! I am all for military traditions and customs, we need to use common sense as well.

I might ask you: "would you have corrected an E-7 or E-8 in the same manner?" I commend you for the correction.... Just good for thought.