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

was walking with a group from Sullivan to the PX and this lady was coming towards us. when she was right abreast of us the eagles became apparent. we stopped got her attention and saluted with the greeting and a parade ground salute. she returned the salute and told us no big deal, us combat unit troops had probably not 'seen one of us before' she accepted our apology and everyone went about their business. had to go get that pogie bait.

Where did this PFC do her basic training?

I would've asked that private the same thing. Locked him up and everything. Then I would've kindly told the Maj. That he earned the right to receive the proper greeting.

As a Sergent I ran into this problem several times. My way was to ask the little imbecile if he or she knew what an officer was and what he/she was supposed to do when they saw one. Most of the time I was told they were supposed to salute them. I would point out the officers they had disrespected and ask them what they were going to do about it. I would then tell them to go over to the gentlemen Salute them and apologize to them for their lack of respect.
How ever in some cases, you have to be rather aggressive in your approach. In the old days when I joined the Army and my platoon Sergent would have taken me out back behind the barracks and do a little dance in my behind. So get real Major, your in the army now and you don't sweet talk an enlisted man or woman or even other officers below you and gain any of their respect.

You did exactly what you were supposed to do. In fact the MAJ needed a brief lesson on saluting. I've been in that situation where a 2LT walked by I stood up and saluted him. A PVT walked by and didn't. I stopped him and did the same thing you did. Then I said hold on Sir, don't go anywhere. I told him that he has a responsibility to enforce the standard as well. Once you allow Soldiers to get away with the smaller things a new standard has been created.

That because we have become so soft, The Maj. was incorrect the under class need to respect upper offices. you could explain it is correct to salute officers when passing and they in return should also do so.

Ask the non saluting party if he did not notice or see the officer. If the situation needs it I would make a deal out of it. Respect is a must.

I am not surprised at all. The new generation of officers and enlisted just pass you by as you do not exist. It’s sad to see an tradition, courtesy and customs gone. I am working as a contractor now for the NG and don’t know how difficult is to say Good Morning when walking by, mainly when you are in CIV and everyone else is on uniform. And their NCO’s are doing the same.

I was deployed in Baghdad headed to a F.O.B. and the esteemed officer told me to "go around the I.E.D. clearing team, I have to pee". I obeyed him. We survived. But I wouldn't have peed on him to put him out if he was on fire after that. I always obeyed his orders to the letter but I did not salute him after that for about a week. Our Sargent Major asked me why.
I explained the reason. And he in a father like way said " Son you salute the rank, not the person". After that I just looked at there rank and saluted it and never had a issue after that.

That’s aggressive? Wow