Salutes

CGA17

10-Year Member
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May 26, 2010
Messages
171
Odd question--are enlisted members/cadets of one military branch required to salute officers of different branches?

Just Curious!
 
Odd question--are enlisted members/cadets of one military branch required to salute officers of different branches?

Just Curious!

No. If a private in the Army sees an admiral or a colonel in the marines, he can just throw a thumbs up and a "Sup dude!"

Or, maybe not.....
 
Salute officers of the Army (USA), Navy (USN), Marine Corps (USMC), Air Force (USAF), Coast Guard (USCG), Public Health Service (USPHS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

As well as officers of countries the United States is friendly with.

Cadets and midshipmen are not saluted because of rank.
 
Unrelated...curious picture for your Avatar...I'm "assuming" you know the 23 yr old's name, history?

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
VADM Nelson as an LT, later added CAPT stripes after a promotion :wink:
 
Hopefully I get to change my avatar to a crest in a few years... :rolleyes:
 
Was stationed as a military adviser in remote SEA. Officers in any military were treated with great respect. If an Officer (American or Host) entered your building you stood and saluted. Transfered to large main staging base where things were not the same. Host Country Officers were leaving squadron headquarters building after inspection. As an NCO I stepped off the path and saluted. They broke out laughing. They had never been saluted by an American before. Understood the language (they didn't know I did) and they were shocked that they were even recognized. Ah! Our ugly American. If it walks talks or looks like an Officer and has circles, diamonds, bars or anything else on the collar salute. Better to be wrong than commit the enlisted faux pas.
 
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VADM Nelson as an LT, later added CAPT stripes after a promotion :wink:

Excellent!

VERY few folks (okay, except Navy types) over "this side of the pond" know that or much of him...

Now...go to Portsmouth and walk Victory's deck, if you haven't already...

It's an amazing ship!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
FWIW: I've been to a number of "places" where you NEVER salute an officer. Unless of course you don't like them. LOL!!!

Also, a little FYI: The salute is a sign of respect, and is permissible even among enlisted if they want to. Some situations, such as the Navy, it's possible to have an "Officer of the DecK" be an enlisted person, (Petty Officer), and I believe you are still suppose to salute the officer of the deck and request permission to board the ship. At least it was still that way in the 80's when I worked for a little while on the USS Forrestal.
 
I've seen Navy petty officers on a quarterdeck receive salutes, but they weren't the OOD. I haven't seen an OOD in the Navy below O-2 (maybe an E-7 out there?).

True though, taking watches usually require a salute.
 
You do it in reverse order.

When boarding the vessel, you salute the national ensign (generally located on the flagstaff on the stern), and the quarterdeck and ask permission (don't usually ask, but wait for the quarterdeck watchstander to return the salute.)

When departing you salute the quarterdeck and then the national ensign.
 
Was stationed as a military adviser in remote SEA. Officers in any military were treated with great respect. If an Officer (American or Host) entered your building you stood and saluted. Transfered to large main staging base where things were not the same. Host Country Officers were leaving squadron headquarters building after inspection. As an NCO I stepped off the path and saluted. They broke out laughing. They had never been saluted by an American before. Understood the language (they didn't know I did) and they were shocked that they were even recognized. Ah! Our ugly American. If it walks talks or looks like an Officer and has circles, diamonds, bars or anything else on the collar salute. Better to be wrong than commit the enlisted faux pas.

When it comes to saluting, "When in doubt, whip it out!"
 
Your best bet is to LEARN when to salute....

Because if you "whip it out" in front of the wrong person at the wrong time, you will get dressed down quicker than snot coming out of a nose after walking through the gas chamber.

Same goes for greeting a chief as 'Sir'.
 
I've seen Navy petty officers on a quarterdeck receive salutes, but they weren't the OOD. I haven't seen an OOD in the Navy below O-2 (maybe an E-7 out there?).

True though, taking watches usually require a salute.

What do their Ensigns do their first tour if they aren't standing OOD watches?
 
Studying PQS...drawling fire mains, etc.



My 2/c year I was walking to the exchange after a big final exam. On my way I noticed I was talking straight towards a senior chief. At about 6 steps I saluted smartly, immediately stopped and said "Hey there senior chief, I knew exactly what you were, saw it from a mile away, and still saluted. That's what a physics final will do to you. I'll salute anything right now."


He liked that. Absolute brain fart....THANKS PHYSICS!
 
Salute an Officer in a combat zone and He/She will probably shoot you without prejudice. In the US If it don't move paint it if it moves salute it.
 
Salute an Officer in a combat zone and He/She will probably shoot you without prejudice.

I don't know where you deployed, but while I was in Iraq you bet your rear that I saluted every superior officer and was saluted by those junior to me.

Outside the wire can be a different animal, but just because one is in a combat zone does not mean military protocol is thrown away.
 
Just remember to wear your reflector belt when saluting...

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
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