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

I would be very respectful to say that they aren't saluting the person just showing the respect for rank

Ok, the Major may have been speaking about the way the Lt. was addressed and it would seem as though the Major's sense of directions as to the military courtesy would be in question, not to mention, the Major may have a liking towards the female Lt. So, from that sense, aggressiveness would not be in question and the PFC, should have been stopped and informed of his\her duties to recognize an Officer, with greetings, by rendering a salute. Information of unit and chain of command from the PFC, should have been gathered and the chain of command be notified of the incident, should actions be warranted. Also, sense the Major felt there was too much aggressiveness in question of what happened, perhaps his chain of command would want to know why he wasn't willing to ensure soldiers remain compliant to the UCMJ.

In my honest opinion the proper regulation concerning this matter is always what is appropriate. However utilizing situational awareness and properly reading the situation is also key. Notice your rank is similar and neither one of you is an NCO. Had you been an NCO then corrective action would always be necessary whether or not the Major approved.

You did right. The only time in my career I was stopped was at Camp Pendleton. My battalion CO, a LtCol was approaching me after he had been jogging. He was dressed in a tee shirt and had no cover. As we were passing he stopped me (politely) and why I didn’t salute. I told him I didn’t know he was an officer. He reached for his head and realized he wasn’t covered with his rank. He said “carry on, I was just testing you”. I was kind of scared at the time, but was assured by my squad leader everything was ok.

There is no excuse for not saluting an officer,Just as there is no excuse for not saluting the Flag when it is being presented or during Retreat, but as always someone will always lower the standards. I am old school so I would have said hey numnuts come here what you didn't see the two officers there, or are you blind. Now salute them and move out. and if I offended any one get over it buttercup.

Retired SSG James R. Green, U, S. Army. I don't know what happened to my other posting, Correct me if I'm wrong but essentially it was an explanation of the military practice of rendering the hand salute. It dates back to the Medieval period of history. When a Knight, whether on horse back or on foot, approached another Knight or a person of nobility, said Knight would raise his helmet visor with his right hand to display his face to identify as friendly. By using his right hand he also displayed no weapon in his hand. This act of raising the right hand and bringing it to ones forehead how the hand salute began. It was intended to be an act of mutual respect. does anyone want to correct me?

You did it the right way. You asked a question about it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the military custom of saluting goes all the way back to the medieval period of history. When a Knight approached another Knight or other noble person, they would be required to raise the visor of their helmet to expose their identity and to display their empty sword hand. This was the way to demonstrate that they are a friend and they come in peace.

There is no other way but directly and to the point. Since when has the soft touch become part of our military. You speak to warriors with strength and civilians with kid gloves. I'm surprised you didn't drop this private. You're not gonna do our country any favors by treating military personnel like civilians.

More than 50 years ago I was an E-5 patient at the "Old" Walter Reed for followup treatment after eye surgery for the wound that got me a Purple Heart in the Nam. Of necessity, both eyes had dilating drops daily. One sunny afternoon, when I was walking between buildings, wearing clip-on sunglasses over my regular sunglasses, and with tears rolling down my cheeks, I was stopped by a Medical Corps Captain (female, not that it matters) and given a royal a** chewing for not saluting. Circumstances were, I thought, pretty obvious and that was one case where the officer might have let it pass.

I would have asked politely why she didn’t salute, and then requested the salute. If she still refused to salute then I would have requested her CO’s name and rank and talked to him about it.

As an Enlisted member I can say you were in the right. Sadly, there's no way of correcting someone without being a little bit rude.

In Iraq, a soldier and I were walking into Al-Faw Palace when General Cone(3star) at the time and his entourage were walking out. I saluted this wall of blinding brass but he didn't. I quickly corrected him on the spot as well as had him run past and salute. We did our business in the palace and returned to our office. For further correction I had the soldier stand outside our HQ and salute and give the greeting of the day to every NCO and officer for about an hour or so. During that hour a Maj came in and ask why this PFC was out there doing that. I explained what happened and he said I was too excessive. I politely reply "Well Sir, there is Officer business and NCO business, unfortunately this is NCO business" He promptly walked out of my office and watch my soldier salute and give a greeting of the day.

Long story I know but I believe your intentions were correct and with time you'll know how to handle these situations differently in the Unit you belong too.

I can remember not being saluted. The E3 (Air Force) boss a Major decided that the E3 “forgot” he had to salute officers. Both we’re African Americans. I just wrote it off as an Anti White respect thing. From that point on I had no dealings with the Major.

Since you stated "My hospital has both services", you may want to check the "No Salute" policies in the area. Some military hospitals have no salute areas because of the large number of officer and enlisted. Just because no salute is rendered, it is not necessarily disrespect.

Yours was a proper question. The Major was incorrect.

I to once had an incident concerning not saluting an officer. I was walking to the chow hall against the wind, and was leaning forwards into it and looking down. A major was walking the opposite direction towards me and stopped me as I was passing him. I lifted my head up as he said "excuse me, but you forgot to salute me", as he pointed out his ensign on his collar. I thought that was tactful. I apologized, and saluted him. I walked away appreciating the fact that he was polite about it. I've heard stories that some officers can be pricks about it, and others can careless. What can you do, lose sleep over it?

I was an 2LT walking on the other side of a 4 lane street at Shepard. I didn't recognize a Captain walking on the other side of the street until he called out and walked across the BUSY street , dodging traffic, and spoke to me "loudly and sharply" (I don't "yell" at people).
I cane to attention, saluted, and said that I had NOT recognized he was a captain. He said , since I was a 2LT, that I must "be new", "(I had a number of service ribbons. 3 rows probably.")

SPC Khyle Ball, You we’re right to confront and instruct the PFC about proper behavior and saluting an officer. The Major was wrong to say that it was aggressive. May guess is that hasn’t been around Marines a lot. Especially Chief Warrant Officers.

Excuse yourself from the officers if possible then as the offender to stop for a second. Address the issue quietly and privately. Go back to the officers or resume what you were doing. "Chastise in private, Praise in public"
-Retired First Sergeant