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

I had the same reaction when contacting sailors.

As a Marine Captain, I was the XO of the Security Force Company on a Naval Weapons Station and enjoyed the phone calls. My rank did bite me on the ass when I was a guest at a Navy CPO initiation at the Chief's club and all of the officers present had to pay a bar fee based on rank. The Master Chief in charge called out each Navy officer rank and the ever increasing fees. When he'd gone through all the Navy ranks, he asked if any other officers were present. The Company CO, a major, stood up and was assessed the same fee as the Lieutenant Commanders present. I stood up and was assessed the much higher fee for Navy Captains. I knew better than to argue.

I was a Master Sergeant in Hawaii as the Director of PNCOC for the 25th Infantry Division. My wife was an Army Nurse (Captain) at Tripler Army Medical Center. Sometimes we would go to the Navy Officers Club for dinner (less chance of uncomfortable encounters with Army officers (who we knew) at the Army Officers Clubs). When I called for reservations, due to it being the Officer's Club, I would need to make them in my wife's name. I would announce myself as Master Sergeant McBride calling to make a reservation for Captain McBride. After the first time of encountering confusion, I changed the request verbage to making a reservation for "Army" Captain McBride... I think they appreciated the open honesty over the Army Captains that tried to get preferential treatment...

We had a Marine CPT as the scheduler at the Navy Weapons Training Facility I was at in Puerto Rico. She loved her rank until she got promoted to MAJ. It was like she got a promotion and demotion the same day.

SPC Robert Nasiff
I don’t doubt you were not taught the rank structure THEN, but I went to BT in 1982 and they did. I was a recruiter 1995-1999 and I introduced all my recruits to it prior to them shipping.

We learned only USMC and Navy ranks. I was at PI in 2002-2003

PFC Jessica Warner Sorensen - seriously? I went to MCRD San Diego in 97 and we had to learn all the ranks of all the different services. But I still have never figured out Air Force enlisted ranks…too many stripes and rockers at low ranks

when I was at MCRD Pairs Island in 1981 we were to Taught the all services ranks.only a dirty dog shit bird would have not paid attention in Boot camp..

SGT Robert Fox - Robert, we are "taught" a lot of things when in the U.S. military. Being "taught" doesn't mean that all act based upon the teachings. Just think of drivers that we see violating all kinds of traffic laws. We all know that those drivers, if a law enforcement, safety officer were with them, would be driving quite differently, right?

Respect should be your default. Full stop. When you first encounter *anybody*, you should treat them with respect. Allow them to earn *disrespect*, but don't start off thinking that you merit their undying butt-kissing.

When you're in the military - any branch - you know the insignias that you've already worn. You should also know the one you're aiming to get next. If you see someone that doesn't have one you've already worn - render them the respect you'd want in that position. If you see someone wearing rank that you've already succeeded past, give them the respect that you wish you had been shown at that point.

If you see something shiny on their collar, stand by to salute.

If it's just over the telephone, or in civvies (or subdued due to operations), you're already treating them with respect, don't sweat it.

Again - respect should be your default. If it's not, you need to check and see why you're not treating people the way you want to be treated. If someone's not worth your respect, trust me, they *will* let you know by demonstration.

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.