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

A soldier should always (quietly) pull the soldier aside and remind the soldier of proper military customs and courtesies.

The major was wrong! Hospital units are by nature relaxed in saluting. A lower rank should always salute an officer of a higher rank not only courtesy but historically pride and institution.

'Aggressive'? The Major though you, and that, was aggressive? I'd have been, "WHERE IS YOUR SALUTE, SOLIDER?"

While serving in Korea in the early 80"s on a joint assignment I was walking with our Sgt Maj and an Army troop failed to salute me USAF Officer). Before I could say anything He said let show you how it is done. He proceeded to in a very calm voice to dress the soldier down and directed her to apologize and render the proper courtesy. Since it had become a problem with Army junior enlisted not to salute other branches and countries officers the senior NCO were marking it a point that infractions include a very public on the spot correction. After the incident was done the Sgt Maj turned to me and said the next one was mine. It did not take but another 100 ft and I got to demonstrate what I learned from his example. As he put it there is never an excuse to be unaware of your surroundings.

Well i don not know about the other branches, however, in the much RESPECTED MARINE CORPS that would have been an immediate ass chewing with the utmost intensity.

First ask is your arm injured? When the reply is no the rip a new one. It reinforces attention to details and situational awareness. Happen to me as a brand new 2LT and I never missed a salute for the next 25 years!

This is b.s. and a part of the lack of discipline we are seeing in all branches today.

I see nothing wrong with the way you handled the situation. Too many courtesies and customs are ignored or disregarded without consequences. There’s nothing aggressive about holding people responsible for their actions (or inactions).

Maybe the PFC didnt see him ? idk how the situation went, but i had a similar situation when i was a PFC i walked by a Marine officer and i couldn't see the rank(I hate Marine uniforms because of this) so i just didnt salute and some Sgt tried to chew me out for it lol

Not being a career military, I will leave that one up to the rest of you... But in my 8 years, I saw far too many very aggressive responses to that, most of the time I would suggest that the failure is not a disrespect, but an oversight when we are busy in our heads and walking is more instinctual than deliberate... Today on the streets you can get run into by a digital head not even being present in the space they are traversing...