By your leave ... Anybody still say this?

2014-07-26T03:03:33-04:00

Does anybody still say by your leave? I haven't since bootcamp where I learned before you pass anybody on the Depot that you will say by your leave, Sir and wait until you are acknowledged and given permission to carry on. Should we all be doing this when passing seniors from the rear? Im thinking there may be many who don't have a clue on what I am talking about.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jul 26 at 2014 5:25 AM

2014-07-26T05:25:10-04:00

I know I've heard of this, probably because my brother was (ok, is, I get it)) a Marine, but I've never actually seen it done. Must just be a USMC thing.

Response by COL Randall C. made Jul 26 at 2014 9:04 AM

2014-07-26T09:04:50-04:00

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member, it is correct to use, but in my experience it is a custom/protocol that you rarely see outside of "those places where protocol is drummed into your head" such as bootcamp and service academies.

The generally appropriate use is when you are overtaking an senior officer from the rear, the protocol is to request permission to pass ("by your leave, sir") and then carry on when acknowledged/granted. However, Cadets, candidates, and boots are often instructed to use it at other times (whenever passing a senior officer - from the front or rear, inside if you and a senior pass each other in a hallway, etc.), and none is "right" or "wrong" ... it's just the custom you were taught 'growing up' in the military by your 'parents' (Academy, basic, ROTC, etc).

What normally occurs 'in real life' is that the enlisted/junior officer approaching a senior from the rear acknowledges the senior with a greeting of some type that they would give if they approached them from the front such as "Good morning sir!", "Hooah!" (or "Ooh-rah!"), or whatever the local greeting of the day is.

SHOULD you do it? Absolutely. It is the most correct thing to do from a protocol point of view. But, keep in mind there are many protocols in the military that should be used, but generally aren't. For example, I haven't seen the use of a calling card since my LT days. These days business cards are commonly used in their place, but from a protocol point of view they aren't proper.

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Jul 26 at 2014 12:28 PM

2014-07-26T12:28:50-04:00

I often said "Permission to leave, (insert rank here)?" in the Army. I believe it is the same thing.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Jul 26 at 2014 1:01 PM

2014-07-26T13:01:28-04:00

I have done it and used to do it as I would pass Officers (always on their left). It is and was used in the Navy and Marines. Since none of the responses applied to me today, I did not vote.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Jul 26 at 2014 1:38 PM

2014-07-26T13:38:26-04:00

I can't help but think of this when reading this thread. Side note: If you haven't seen the new Planet of the Apes, you are wrong.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2014 3:24 PM

2014-07-26T15:24:45-04:00

To be honest, I don't recall this protocol in the Army. It makes sense at first, but then I wonder "How would I identify, from behind someone, that I'm passing a senior person?"

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Jul 26 at 2014 6:01 PM

2014-07-26T18:01:07-04:00

I'm so going to use this to freak out LTs.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2014 7:30 PM

2014-07-26T19:30:03-04:00

Plot twist: he tells me how many leave days he has. I take that many steps before I pass him. Makes sense, right?

Response by MSgt Lancia Stewart made Jul 26 at 2014 8:01 PM

2014-07-26T20:01:14-04:00

I learn something new every day!

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Jul 26 at 2014 8:07 PM

2014-07-26T20:07:36-04:00

In all honesty I would ask to be excused by someone else in uniform when passing them from behind. By your leave was something that, in my opinion, is a memory of times past. I was never confronted by anyone asking me about asking to be excused and not saying "by your leave". I guess it comes down to whatever works, and who it works for.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2014 8:30 PM

2014-07-26T20:30:54-04:00

I used it my whole career - and confused the hell out of Coast Guard and Air Force officers when I used it.

"By my WHAT? Uh, yeah... just carry on."

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 26 at 2014 8:31 PM

2014-07-26T20:31:52-04:00

I haven't heard that phrase in YEARS!

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jul 26 at 2014 9:15 PM

2014-07-26T21:15:23-04:00

Only heard it while in the Corps.

Response by SSG Zamar Turner made Jul 26 at 2014 11:46 PM

2014-07-26T23:46:48-04:00

I remember back in 92 in Boot Camp when I said it. It's a Marine thing more like Sailor and Marine vernacular.

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Jul 28 at 2014 9:47 AM

2014-07-28T09:47:53-04:00

Never heard that in 27 years of Army service. Maybe on Star Trek, and, of course, in Patrick O'Brien's Aubrey/Maturin naval adventure stories.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2014 12:59 AM

2014-08-10T00:59:02-04:00

SSgt Fair,

How would I know that the person I'm passing is an officer? Is it because they always walk slower than I do, or is it because they carry an M9 rather than an M4? I feel as though I'm missing some vital info here.

Response by SN Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2014 8:33 PM

2014-08-10T20:33:56-04:00

At my command's last safety stand down our CO put out that it's becoming more and more rare of an occurrence and that it shouldn't be that way. So to answer your question, yes it's still expected and yes it should be done for all seniors

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 7:31 AM

2015-02-02T07:31:29-05:00

I agree it's a lost custom. At My last duty station, no one said this, officers were bewildered when I said it.

Response by Maj Matt Hylton made Feb 2 at 2015 9:46 AM

2015-02-02T09:46:11-05:00

I was taught it at VMI and used it all the time throughout my time there as a cadet, but once I joined the Air Force I quickly learned no one knew what the heck I was talking about.

If I do find myself in a situation that requires it's use (which has been rare), I usually just salute and great the person loud enough from behind so that they know I am coming around them from behind.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 2 at 2015 9:53 AM

2015-02-02T09:53:07-05:00

Keeping in mind I've been out a dozen years now. I used to say it all the time.

"By your leave" / "As you were"

Were just common phrases. Of course working in buildings with more O's than E's results in that.

Response by SFC Scott Fifield made Feb 2 at 2015 10:06 AM

2015-02-02T10:06:51-05:00

I served 11 years on active duty in the Marine Corps 1981-1992. It was an everyday occurance as you came upon someone senior that you were passing. I left the USMC due to reduction in force strength (yes I was layed off). I joined the National Guard for 11 years, and the in 2003 I went back on active duty in the Army. All throught out my carrier I have use the phrase by your leave for those senior to me as well as Gang Way to anyone else of equal or less rank. A Marine or Sailor in the group always knew who you we're. Member's of other branches looked at you funny, but knew what you ment as you came barreling threw, they always moved so you could get threw. I'm retired now and after 33 years of using naval terminology I still use it in my civilian life, even civilians understand what you are saying when you own the deck under your feet. Semper Fi.

Response by SSgt Kevin Chavez made Feb 2 at 2015 11:01 AM

2015-02-02T11:01:13-05:00

I say it to my Wife all the time!!

Response by SSG Buddy Kemper made Feb 23 at 2015 11:34 AM

2015-02-23T11:34:55-05:00

Usually only happens at the range. You can get some Kooky looks from the young guys when you pull out a 'By your leave'. I whip out the good ol' 'with all due respect' a couple times a week too!!!!

Response by SGT Lee Dworshak made Jul 2 at 2016 2:10 PM

2016-07-02T14:10:11-04:00

I was trained to use it when passing officers in Army basic training 68-69.

Response by PO3 Tony Basselgia made Jul 10 at 2018 3:46 PM

2018-07-10T15:46:23-04:00

Navy 1990-1994. We were taught this in Boot Camp and we used it out in the fleet every time we came up to an officer from behind. I assumed it was something still done in the Navy.

Response by LCpl Curtis Lambert Jr made Apr 17 at 2020 6:34 PM

2020-04-17T18:34:46-04:00

I would do it everyday, where it applied. Most civies, don't have a clue ! All elders, should be kept in higher esteem. They should be respected. So much to learn from them.

Response by 1SG Mark Newsom made Jul 14 at 2023 2:42 PM

2023-07-14T14:42:38-04:00

I believe it is appropriate. I use to teach it to my troops. However, the officers never know how to respond.