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

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.

You were right and officer was wrong. I would have corrected the EM, sent him on his way and the I would have talked to the Major and informed him "with all due respect, Sir" the next time I am correcting someone please do not interrupt.

The Army Maj was wrong - there is nothing aggressive about requiring the customs and courtesies be enforced. The PFC wasn't paying attention, given the benefit of the doubt, not out of disrespect so it was just a wake up for her.

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...