An Army Captain damned well will salute a Navy Captain. Doesn't the Army teach sister services' ranks in boot?

LTC Stephen F. I had the reverse, as my ex-wife was an Army Reservist. They didn't know how to handle Petty Officer Foss calling, assuming that I was a Warrant Officer.

Or as a Navy Chief calling an Air Force base, they assumed I was an Air Force Chief Master Sargent, It was amazing how quickly things would get done.

I had fun with the differing services similar to what you describe. Some decades ago, I was one of seven USAF members stationed in Corpus Christi, TX. There was a strong USN presence there with a USN Admiral being the senior military commander. I was a MSgt (E-7) at the time and a recruiter. I needed support from time to time from the USN base. Usually in the USAF we use the spoken term "Sergeant" for grades from E-4 to E-8 but once I realized that USN E-9s were "Master Chiefs" I began using my full title when I would call for support. "Master Sergeant" sounded a whole bunch like "Master Chief." Once I did that the heavens opened, the sun began to shine, and magic began to happen. My thanks to my Navy brethren for their support.

My NG Unit was on a small FOB in Iraq when a Navy EOD Team paid a visit. It was led by a O-3. When I greeted him as Lieutenant a big smile appeared on his face. He expected to hear Captain by everyone on Post.

When I went through basic in 1976, we were not taught other branches rank structure, only the Army.

PFC Jessica Warner Sorensen - You were taught you just didn't learn.

MAJ (Join to see) - Very rude to call people liars (not once, but twice) just because they have a different experience / recollection of a past time. Makes me glad I was not in your chain of command.

I remember there being a chart in my Basic training bible in 1983 at Lackland AFB. I remember that the differences were discussed but couldn't tell you if we were tested on the ranks of the different branches.

Well Sergeant, you know as well as I do that the military respects the RANK, not the person. The person has to earn said respect, but rank will damn well get it's due respect.

PO1 Jim Spencer keep believing that and see how far that gets you.

my dad was an O-3 in the Air Force, having graduated from West Point in '52.
I had no clue about Air force Enlisted Ranks,
When I enlisted, I learned the Difference in the Officer Ranks and learned the Navy Enlisted Ranks. If they had more chevron's rocker's than I did, I would respect them, regardless even though I had no clue what their rank title was

IMO, this is just another nail in the coffin of Military discipline, respect, and basic knowledge of courtesy. Is it due to the narcissistic, self-centered, "me me me me", arrogance of just plain stupidly of their uniform? Uniforms, branch of service, like or dislike, is all irrelevant once you take the oath and step forward acknowledging your compliance of sworn duty to serve and protect? Of course, being an antique of the primitive order of service, this new reformed, feelgood, "everybody gets a trophy" and inclusions of what you "think" you are or convinced of what you should be, produced by whining or pouting you been mistreated. From what I gather at a distance is, proving, demonstrating, your quality of character, and "spunk" as an old acquaintance I met called it. Though this man was well acquainted with these required personality virtues he pegged as having Spunk. Telling us during once when he was the CO of B.U,D.S. where only 1 out of 120 applicants would make it through HELL WEEEK. Those cocky macho heman muscled up conceited gym heroes were the first to break/ drop out, he always looked for and wonted for the polite, respectful, disciplined, well-mannered young men that always showed spirit via acknowledging authority with diligence of attitude, with posture and saluting in any circumstance regardless of who or what the officer position was. SPUNK! They were the ones that stuck it out and graduated.