Posted on Dec 14, 2018
What’s the proper way to correct someone when not saluting an officer?
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I was walking with a Navy LT and an Army Maj. (My hospital has both services) from the USO across the street to the hospital and a PFC passed and didn’t salute. I stopped and asked her, “Do enlisted soldiers not salute officers anymore?” The Maj. with me said I didn’t have to be so aggressive about it. What’s a better way of addressing it without coming off as aggressive?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 388
I had that happen a few times over the course of 30 yrs. I usually stopped them, rendered a salute and held it until they returned it. I would say "a salute is rendering MUTUAL respect for OUR service." Then I'd drop it and thank them for being in our Navy or Marine Corps. Usually it was a very junior person and they just didn't understand that we rendered courtesies like that.
Usually I got a "uh, sorry sir, I wasn't paying attention" or some other excuse.
The WORST case I ever saw was a Midshipman 2/c at USNA. He was talking on the phone, saw me and turned away from me (06 in uniform). You could see the anger in his face when I waited until he ended his call and held my salute. In his case I told him "We always render military courtesies unless in combat. Some day you'll earn an enlisted man's salute. Always return it crisply and with good humor, no matter how lousy you feel. He's earned your respect and if you shirk something like a salute you'll lose his respect."
Usually I got a "uh, sorry sir, I wasn't paying attention" or some other excuse.
The WORST case I ever saw was a Midshipman 2/c at USNA. He was talking on the phone, saw me and turned away from me (06 in uniform). You could see the anger in his face when I waited until he ended his call and held my salute. In his case I told him "We always render military courtesies unless in combat. Some day you'll earn an enlisted man's salute. Always return it crisply and with good humor, no matter how lousy you feel. He's earned your respect and if you shirk something like a salute you'll lose his respect."
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I find nothing wrong with following military custom and discipline. CPT Wayne Price
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It happens. Maybe the private wasn't paying attention or they had their mind on something else. I usually say, "Officer present." They look around, realize one is present (the look in their eyes says all), and salute on the spot. Gotta remember not all enlisted are disrespectful little ass-caps. They're human too and sometimes their brains are just hard-wired to something else. Maybe something's going on with their child, or they're thinking about school, or maybe it's work-related. You don't know (and it's really none of your business, right?). Just give a quick heads-up. Simple and no harm done.
Only time you should talk like that is when they're obviously giving guff. THEN they need to be put into place. Until then: innocent until proven guilty. Not the other way around.
Only time you should talk like that is when they're obviously giving guff. THEN they need to be put into place. Until then: innocent until proven guilty. Not the other way around.
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The Major deserves to be corrected for his ill advice. The Salute is about mutual respect. I was an enlisted soldier, an NCO and an Officer, I saluted first most of the time. The Major is wrong
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You do not salute in a hospital area. But being outside they should have but force of habit of not doing it inside probably took over.
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Maybe it's my enlisted background, but as an officer whenever I fail to get a salute I salute first - this never fails to make the appropriate correction in the most mutually respectful and expeditious manner.
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If we have to handle such a simple correction as this with kid gloves, we have gone too soft. What does the Major think a squad leader should do if one of his/her Soldiers is standing out in the open in a firefight? Should he/she politely ask the Soldier to take cover?
I can't imagine what basic is like anymore. "Now, Soldiers, it's 10 AM and we have a lot to do. Please, put your phones away and get out of bed."
I can't imagine what basic is like anymore. "Now, Soldiers, it's 10 AM and we have a lot to do. Please, put your phones away and get out of bed."
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Well done. You were correct to call the PFC on military courtesy. It is not aggressive.
I notice you are a SPC. Since neither of the O's said anything, it was not your responsibility.
They were, I'm guessing, medical types and probably were baffled by the BS and frightened when you corrected someone without apologizing to the offender first for correcting her.
NEXT
You do what is correct and salute when appropriate.
Leave the ass chewing to the one / group the offense was against.
Apparently, the Major and LT do not think they have earned the PFCs respect, although their rank is entitled to a salute. One salutes the rank not the wearer.
I notice you are a SPC. Since neither of the O's said anything, it was not your responsibility.
They were, I'm guessing, medical types and probably were baffled by the BS and frightened when you corrected someone without apologizing to the offender first for correcting her.
NEXT
You do what is correct and salute when appropriate.
Leave the ass chewing to the one / group the offense was against.
Apparently, the Major and LT do not think they have earned the PFCs respect, although their rank is entitled to a salute. One salutes the rank not the wearer.
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As a retired USAF First Sergeant I probably would have been more aggressive than the SPC. It doesn't matter which service you are in or the officers are in - YOU SALUTE. I would have been looking for his supervisor to provide remedial training.
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Suspended Profile
Hmm, bit passive aggressive for me. Thank you for the corrective action.
I was always taught "Praise in public, correct in private", so it would be best to call aside and correct her in private, face to face.
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At the same time, though, if I have one aggravation about saluting it's this: The 'Officer Head Dip Salute.' A proper salute is rendered with the upper arm parallel to the ground and the fingertips meeting the eyebrow and the cap visor. It bothers me even today in my retired, enlisted state when I see an officer raise his hand part way to a proper salute and dip his brow to reach his fingertips. Sir or Ma'am, it's a two way street. If I render a salute, please return with a proper, buy-the-book, military salute!
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as an NCO in the Marine Corps, i was taught to pull the junior grade to the side, instruct them on proper saluting of officers etiquette and send them on their way. i do not see any problem in in the SPC asking the PFC the question, the PFC made a mistake . how is the aggressive?
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On the spot corrected BY standing that SM at attention holding their solute while you verbally corret them for an extended period before returning said solute. If the SM is indifferent to the correction, recommend to the command that their place of duty for the next week be in Class A opening the door and saluting all officers entering and exiting the Post HQ.
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Excuse yourself from the presence of the officers and address the PFC as to why they did not render the proper customs and courtesies. No need to be overbearing about it, it is a simple question that requires nothing more than a simple reminder. Now if the PFC is a jerk about it then you can step up your game.
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