Posted on Dec 14, 2018
SPC Practical/Vocational Nursing
184K
1.63K
617
201
201
0
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?
Avatar feed
Responses: 388
Votes
  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Votes
SP6 M. R. Teeters
0
0
0
You weren't aggressive.
Aggressive: " Hey!! Sh*t for brains!! Did you not see these two SUPERIOR OFFICERS
(Capitalization denotes speaking at a perceived auditory decibel range akin to the noise level present at the detonation of a 10 kiloton nuclear warhead)!!
Now drop and shove the f*ckin' Earth off its normal orbital path until we are over your perceived horizon!!"

Non-Aggressive:
"Do enlisted soldiers not salute officers anymore?"
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Steven Hetletvedt
0
0
0
Pull the soldier off to the side and remind them of customs and courtesies. Holding the standard is what makes us military personnel and keeping that state of mind. The more you let lower personnel to lose their grip the worse it is going to get when eventually someone will say what is the big deal.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Sgt Jeff Martin
0
0
0
My first question would be WHAT THE FUCK IS YOUR MAJOR MALFUNCTION? You do realize that was two officers that passed you without you rendering the proper respect and saluting them? The only way I would say nothing is if it was an officer that passed. A PFC has no reason or right not to salute his/her superior officer.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC James (Jim) R Brown
0
0
0
There is no other way.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
TSgt Infantryman
0
0
0
F that agressive BS. Drop the PFC for push ups and maybe put her on KP for about a week
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PFC Guy Sherr
0
0
0
Happened to me ages ago. I apologized for not saluting to the Commissioned Officer, while saluting. The E-7 that was with her asked if I was okay (I was on a pain pill that messed with my vision so badly I was looking at the ground). I said that was no excuse, and the E-7 said words to me I hear to this day: "Stay alert, stay alive soldier".
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
1SG J. Shannon Lewis
0
0
0
Should have just lit her ass up. Sometimes that's just what everyone needs.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSgt Platoon Sergeant
0
0
0
I find the best way to start those conversations is with a "Hey Motherf***er" and go from there.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CWO3 John Bails
0
0
0
You were correct to calmly address the PFC.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SMSgt Aerospace Medical Service
0
0
0
Praise in public, correct in private.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CAPT Jim Coulson
0
0
0
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."
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CPT Wayne Price
0
0
0
I find nothing wrong with following military custom and discipline. CPT Wayne Price
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SrA Brett Stratton
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
LTC Pete Moore
0
0
0
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
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Sgt Robert Sackett
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CPL Peter King
0
0
0
That is the appropriate way to handle the situation
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CPL Peter King
0
0
0
That’s the appropriate way to handle it.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CAPT Randall Martin
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Brian Wilber
0
0
0
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."
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
LTC Charles "Pappy" Patchin
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

How are you connected to the military?
  • Active Duty
  • Active Reserve / National Guard
  • Pre-Commission
  • Veteran / Retired
  • Civilian Supporter