Posted on Mar 3, 2021
SPC Licensed Agent: Sales Producer
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I've been out of AIT for coming up on a year now. This past weekend was literally the first time I've heard anyone "call it" when a senior NCO or officer walked into a room or the area. That was when the BC came to check in on something while we were all at the same post, not just our respective drill stations.

I saluted the first time I went to see my CC in his office (reporting), and he looked at me like I was half off my rocker. Now, I realize that I'm just as much the problem, but I can read a room and figure out that standing out isn't always good.

I'd love to show top and the sir (and our platoon ma'am and sir for that matter) the courtesy they deserve, but I don't know if this problem exists everywhere else in the Guard too. Help.
Posted in these groups: Customs and courtesies logo Customs and Courtesies
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Responses: 8
SFC Retention Operations Nco
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You don't normally call a room to at ease when a senior NCO walks in, that's basic training stuff. The unit is called to at ease when the BN CSM arrives. If the CSM walks into the room then you call at ease. If the BC walks in you call attention or come to attention.

You only salute indoors when you're reporting. You will report in the future when you are reporting to a board. Or when you are specifically instructed to report to your CO. Meeting your CO isn't actually reporting, that's just an introduction.
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That all makes sense. Some folks I know that went to the big Army made it sound different. I appreciate the clarity. In the case of meeting the commander, I was specifically ordered to report to his office. Still looked at me a little funny though. Nothing like how he looks at me and my little squad of jokesters now though!
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You'll notice things are a bit more relaxed, and not just among the Guard but on Active as well. The TRADOC environment is tight out of necessity, but once you get to your unit you'll see where things are relaxed and that just takes time for you to feel out.

That doesn't mean lose your bearing, but you'll discover how your NCO's and officers conduct themselves. I saw an O-6 tell everyone within hearing distance to stop calling a room to attention while he was there, in his opinion it was interrupting work every time he went to do something. If the CG stopped by then yes everyone called attention but not for the colonel.

I had an O-5 who we only called attention at the start and end of the day because he spent a lot of his time moving throughout the HHC and also didn't want people to stop working.

I got tasked out to work with a two star for a day, and he had the same mindset. Us calling attention was getting in his way and so he ordered us to stop and send anyone who had a problem with it his way. Of course the CSM would pop in and tell us to call attention, because CSM is fun like that.

It really depends on your officers and NCO's but things are dialed back a bit outside of training and certain situations. You'll find the line as you get to know your unit and their expectations.
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SSG Edward Tilton
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Wait, I’ll check
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