When does the Navy salute indoors?

PO1 Michael G. — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 02:59:48 -0400

It has recently become a matter of contention in my command whether an unarmed covered quarterdeck watch who is stationed at a podium inside a building is required to salute.

NAVREGS Chapter 12 seems to say that the QD watch is supposed to, but no one in the command has seen this before.

Is there a regulation or manual that says anything contrary?

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jul 27 at 2017 3:16 AM

SN Greg Wright — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 03:16:17 -0400

Unless things have changed since I was in, Sailors only salute indoors while under arms. But a QD watch is going to be returning salutes to everyone under the sun, so I"m not sure why this is an issue?

Response by CWO3 Dennis M. made Jul 27 at 2017 6:12 AM

CWO3 Dennis M. — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 06:12:41 -0400

I have been retired for 27 years, and unless things have changed drastically, when you enter the Quarter Deck from the brow, you turn to the Flag, Salute the flag, and salute the OOD and request permission to come aboard.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2017 12:51 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 12:51:47 -0400

In "A" School all the barracks at Great Lakes had Quarterdeck with an OOD, and you saluted him when entering/exiting along with the ensign and they saluted back.

Try looking at it from a different angle, instead of focusing on the indoors part focus on the fact that it's a quarterdeck and look for that instruction.

Sounds to me though your CO needs to just make a decision, so your command can move on to more important matters. He can write his own instruction if it makes him feel better stating that area is a quarterdeck and will be treated as such.

Response by PO3 Joe Garcia made Jul 27 at 2017 4:06 PM

PO3 Joe Garcia — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 16:06:33 -0400

How about when you are inside a covered football stadium?

Response by CWO4 Gene A. made Jul 29 at 2017 7:08 PM

CWO4 Gene A. — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 19:08:30 -0400

Do what they were suppose to teach you in boot camp. The Navy configures its shore establishments in the Admin Headqtrs Bldg as if it were a ship. Therefore, if there is a manned qtr deck one must render/return the salute upon entering the building as if it were a ship.

Response by SCPO William Akin made Aug 20 at 2019 12:01 PM

SCPO William Akin — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 12:01:11 -0400

I am SOOO friggin glad I'm retired (since 1980) and don't have to deal with all the basic things that should have been made crystal clear in Boot Camp..
I was always given to understand a QD was a QD no matter where it was, and was treated as such..
Must be a generational thing..

Response by Al Reynolds made Aug 21 at 2019 4:02 AM

Al Reynolds — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 04:02:39 -0400

If it moves salute it.... If it doesn't move paint it....