Who to salute?

2020-06-30T17:14:05-04:00

So, you’re walking and you see two Commissioned Officers walking towards you, you get ready to salute and render the greeting of the day, but you notice it’s a male and a female of equal rank. How do you address them?

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jun 30 at 2020 5:22 PM

2020-06-30T17:22:22-04:00

Anthony, if I may address you by your first name: I pray; that you find an answer to your question. SSG Private RallyPoint Member

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2020 5:42 PM

2020-06-30T17:42:40-04:00

My philosophy is when saluting two officers, I just address them both. If there is more than 2, I just salute and keep it simple with "Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening."

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jun 30 at 2020 5:47 PM

2020-06-30T17:47:25-04:00

Just give them a salute and a polite "Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening" and I'm sure you wouldn't catch any flak for it.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 30 at 2020 6:11 PM

2020-06-30T18:11:18-04:00

Ma’am, Sir or visa Versu.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2020 6:22 PM

2020-06-30T18:22:00-04:00

Salute and say, “Hey Y’all”.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2020 6:25 PM

2020-06-30T18:25:52-04:00

By regulation, you can address a female as sir as well - but I would just render the greeting of the day, or say "Sir, ma'am."

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2020 6:35 PM

2020-06-30T18:35:11-04:00

“Salutations senior ranking individuals!”

Response by SSgt Eric Owens made Jun 30 at 2020 7:31 PM

2020-06-30T19:31:21-04:00

It's simple. Just say good morning or afternoon and salute. You salute the rank not the person and if they have an issue with you not mentioning gender than maybe they shouldn't be in the service. With two differing genders the salute and greeting is what matters.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2020 10:42 PM

2020-06-30T22:42:39-04:00

Good morning, Ma’am, Sir,in the order you choose to

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2020 10:55 PM

2020-06-30T22:55:25-04:00

Do about face, double time to a reasonable distance and cross the street. Then you can pretend you don't see them. Problem solved. :)

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Jul 1 at 2020 6:22 AM

2020-07-01T06:22:17-04:00

Good morning ma'am. Good morning sir.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 1 at 2020 8:45 AM

2020-07-01T08:45:37-04:00

I’d say “G’morning ma’am, sir”. I’m old fashion enough to believe ladies first.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 1 at 2020 11:44 AM

2020-07-01T11:44:22-04:00

Render the Salute and say Good Morning Sir/Good Morning Ma'am. I'm just surprised this is a question that wasn't already answered in your entry level training.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2020 12:32 PM

2020-07-01T12:32:58-04:00

Good afternoon Sir and Ma’am. For two males, Gentlemen and for two females, Ladies.

Response by SGT Raymond Turse made Jul 1 at 2020 1:10 PM

2020-07-01T13:10:40-04:00

Address the rank Good afternoon captain’s etc.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2020 2:47 PM

2020-07-01T14:47:00-04:00

Just once I wish someone would salute me and say "May the odds be ever in your favor"

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2020 2:54 PM

2020-07-01T14:54:07-04:00

I appreciate all the comical comments, that was some funny stuff. I wasn’t trying to ask a serious question, to be honest, I just wanted to see what people would say. But to those who answered genuinely, thank you as well.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2020 12:33 AM

2020-07-02T00:33:38-04:00

Navy-wise, I was taught to greet the female officer first, followed by the male officer. This is if they’re the same rank. If they have different ranks, you greet the senior officer first, then the junior.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Jul 2 at 2020 1:12 AM

2020-07-02T01:12:56-04:00

SALUTE!

Response by LTJG James Tipton made Aug 31 at 2020 12:42 AM

2020-08-31T00:42:40-04:00

Render Salute address Female first than male. Or double double time the opposite direction and hope to hell they a. Didn't notice or b. Don't care. If it's a LT you better salute because LTs are usually on power trips unless they went to OCS.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 12 at 2020 4:12 PM

2020-09-12T16:12:18-04:00

Depending on the time of day, I would say good morning sir, and ma'am, that way your bases are covered SSG Private RallyPoint Member

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Sep 12 at 2020 4:51 PM

2020-09-12T16:51:10-04:00

Sirs

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2020 5:25 PM

2020-09-12T17:25:58-04:00

I was taught to defer to the lady first in this situation.

Response by Maj John Bell made Sep 12 at 2020 6:52 PM

2020-09-12T18:52:18-04:00

Good Morning ________. Fill in the blank with the plural of their rank.

Or,

Say, nothing. Turn around and run. ;)

Response by SSG Paul Headlee made Sep 26 at 2020 9:41 PM

2020-09-26T21:41:39-04:00

Immediate threat is first priority; engage far target(s) subsequently.

Response by SSG Archie Roberts made Nov 19 at 2020 2:21 AM

2020-11-19T02:21:46-05:00

Salutr

Response by CWO5 Ray Lee made Dec 19 at 2020 3:18 PM

2020-12-19T15:18:07-05:00

Follow your 11th general orders! Oh sorry the Army only have 3.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2020 1:14 PM

2020-12-20T13:14:40-05:00

Personally I'd say Good Morning Sir, Ma'am (in order of who's physically closest) and salute once for both of them if they were together.

Response by CPT William Jones made Mar 15 at 2021 5:44 PM

2021-03-15T17:44:31-04:00

You might try something like good morning majors or what ever. If they are someone you know. Try morning major smith major jones and keep trucking