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

SPC Khyle Ball, We were all trained to salute no matter the service affiliation. First off is you cannot change has happened. I would have responded to the officer with yes sir and dropped the matter for the moment. Then I would have made it a point to understand what was written in AR 600-25 then I would have found out how that corresponds to the UMCJ. Article 88 is a catchall which is commonly used. Then you could revisit the incident if you chose. In any case you will be better prepared to address the situation if it ever arises again. One thing is you can't correct the code if you do not know the code. Funny thing is we are all taught to salute and taken what we are told to what ever limit we feel is necessary to enforce it.

My advise to you is take this as a learning experience and equip yourself for the next encounter by learning the military requirements and what steps you can take if this requirement is not adhered to. Only then can you understand how to proceed if this ever happens again. Don't get me wrong a person can never know all the regulations but you can learn the ones that come up the most and that are important to you.

I was a Navy LT, so maybe I have a bias. I would have said, "Soldier (sailor), stop where you are. These gentlemen rate a salute from you." No sarcasm, no brow beating, just a "do it."

We must correct things we see wrong on the spot or the issue is not taken with importance. Most people don't like to make waves but we must hold those in error responsible. You were right to correct on the spot. If the private did not see the rank, then let it be a lesson for them to be create more awareness around themselves. As for the Officer, enlisted personnel don't correct Officers, let that be another question sometime.

Tell them if you don't want to salute to just cross the street or turn your back to the officer before they get to close,

Addressing it is Extremely Important. Attention to detail is a trait the Military prides itself, and is one of many reason the service separates itself from Civilians. A PFC in many cases are new and inexperienced, I think what you did wasn't, however tact is also a Military trait as well.

My response would have been to speak in a loud clear voice, "Your f***ing right arm better be god d*** broken because having your head up your a** is no excuse for not seeing this officer. You better render a proper salute right god d*** now before I make the rest of your day f****ing miserable." And if the officer with me said that I didn’t have to be so aggressive about it, I would have replied, "Yes Sir, you are correct."

Of course I retired during the last century, so you folks might do things differently these days.

Why would you worry about being, "aggressive". Rules are there for a reason. Said PFC should have been locked up and received the, "donkey bar b que", of her life. I would say the same if she had been a he. It should be done out of sight and hearing range of the officers. None the less it should be DONE.

There was time where where that would be an immediate write up and earning the PFC KP duty. Senior leadership needs to address this along with the NCO Corps.

In today's military respect and earned privileges as an officer mean less than before. I assume the Major was a doctor. I am assuming the Lt. is a woman nurse. Based on these assumptions, the doctor is probably less interest in protocol as Hawkeye is in Mash the TV show. The nurse has worked hard for her degree and feels slighted. ( My total guesswork) In truth she is correct but the Major outranks her and anything said may go against her. I suggest that you say and do nothing. When you become a Major, remember the incident, act accordingly.

You were right, leadership is aggressive in nature. The Maj has the luxury of focusing on His/her job and probably walking around with hands in pockets as well... When I was a young Private I stood at Parade Rest for Specialists. If your NCO's are spineless I'd just let it go.