CPTs and LTs, do you avoid people in order to not salute?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 08:53:41 -0500

I'm about to commission as a PA in the Army and I was just thinking about how much more I will probably be saluting as a company grade officer. Any tips?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2014 8:51 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 08:51:57 -0500

I would avoid large groups of soldiers down at Fort Sam. They loved to catch an officer coming towards them, and would immediately shift into a single-file line so that you'd have a row of 20 soldiers you had to return a salute to. Good joke- but I learned early to cross the street when I saw them coming.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2014 8:54 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 08:54:09 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Just get ready for your Joes to space out so you have to salute every one of them. Though sometimes you feel you just want to walk on the opposite side of the road to not salute , remember the responsibility you now have and example you exhibit. Congratulations on the upcoming commission!

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Dec 24 at 2014 8:58 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 08:58:15 -0500

Remember, as a 2LT...you have to either salute or return a salute to everyone.

queue SSG Robert Burns

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2014 10:58 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 10:58:19 -0500

No. Why would I? Saluting is a sign of respect, why would I not return one?

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Dec 24 at 2014 11:05 AM

CPT Chris Loomis — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 11:05:20 -0500

SSG Joshua Randles personally I am of the belief that a salute in an honor and a privilege. I believe that as an Officer you should "earn" that salute. I'm not a proponent of being entitled to anything. Also, it's not unusual to hear me say, "Thank You," when saluting; whether it be directly or to myself.

We're all Brothers and Sisters in arms. We each have a mission and we each have a lane that takes us there. We are individuals and all teammates. We serve and there are things bigger than ourselves.

Having been an Enlisted Soldier myself, I know what it means to salute an Officer. Being an Officer I don't EVER forget that I know what it means for an Enlisted Soldier to salute an Officer.

I make ever concerted effort to "earn" those salutes.

HOOOAH!!!

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 24 at 2014 11:22 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 11:22:56 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Remember what the salute is: a mutual exchange of respect with another SM. You are honoring and acknowledging his/her service.

When they space out to make you hold it as described by some of those here, enjoy it. Pause and acknowledge each one individually, smile at them, be in on the joke, not the butt of it. Know that they have done you a courtesy to connect with each of them when they thought they were tricking you into holding your hand up longer.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2014 11:40 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 11:40:04 -0500

I never avoid somebody specifically so I won't have to salute, but at the same time I don't seek out people simply for the purpose of saluting. I treat it as an honor and a privilege.

Response by MAJ Michael Scharff made Dec 24 at 2014 12:18 PM

MAJ Michael Scharff — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 12:18:43 -0500

My advice... suck it up. :-)

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 24 at 2014 12:25 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 12:25:47 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member, I wouldn't avoid people to not salute. It's a privilege and obligation that goes both ways. Whether you outrank them or they outrank you, salute smartly and carry on!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2014 12:32 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 12:32:07 -0500

I personally don't but I worked hard to get where I'm at and I don't shy away from what I am. The salute is returned to the junior person as well so it is definitely not a one way street. The only time it can become a bit much is when a junior person is sitting down eating or on the phone and they stop to stand and salute. It becomes a little uncomfortable for me but I understand and respect the professionalism.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Dec 24 at 2014 12:29 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 12:29:27 -0500

I never did it on purpose, especially in my unit AO.

I appreciate the honor and I did not deny that to my troops, even when they lined up in a single file line at 6-pace intervals. I just...kept that right hand up there for them.

Was it a pain for me? Sure. Did it lift up my soldiers and give them a respectful giggle at my expense? Yep...and that's why I did it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2014 1:55 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 13:55:15 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member it is part of a time honored tradition. Go to Afghanistan and walk along Disney Ave and then talk about saluting. Do not go out of your way to get, give, or avoid a salute. It is a sign of respect of both parties.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2014 3:32 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 15:32:48 -0500

I agree it's a sign of respect of both parties. I did feel a little bad for the newly assigned CPT or MAJ professor at USMA who happened to leave Thayer Hall between classes and didn't know better to wait. It wasn't a "game," just happened! There were many salutes to be given! When I was at OBC at Fort Bliss (Air Defense Artillery) the Marine Corps had their ADA AIT Marines there and they saluted "blue sticker" cars so if you were going to lunch and drove by Marines you had to salute back. Hahaha, it felt funny, like they were saluting the car.

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2014 5:45 PM

MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 17:45:03 -0500

My best tip would be to appreciate the tradition and make an effort to not let each salute be habitual. Try to make an effort to return salutes with a little bit of personalization when possible. Using names along with rank and asking how someone is doing rather than just spouting off with the greeting of the day are great ways to make the salute more than just a habit. You don't have to go overboard, but it is a nice touch.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 24 at 2014 10:44 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 22:44:47 -0500

Proudly return them quickly and crisply,so they can drop theirs. Many officers are perpetually pissed. Don't take it out on random Joes. Return a friendly greeting if there is no designated greeting/reply of the day. Positive leadership is contagious . No matter how high you go, you are saluting everyone because they are senior or they just saluted you. There is no saluting safe rank. Part of the job.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2014 10:52 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 22:52:30 -0500

When I was at Orchard Regional Training Center this summer, I had stopped between the DFAC and the lodging to talk to a Major about something. After the conversation was done, he proceeded down the path towards his room. AS it happened, several small groups of soldiers happened to be scattered in this pathway. The Major said "aw crap", then announced loudly to all ahead of him, "Carry on , Carry on!" He did not want that salute gauntlet for sure.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2014 12:25 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Dec 2014 12:25:40 -0500

No. Why is that an issue?
Salute, greeting of the day, carry on.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 25 at 2014 12:56 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 25 Dec 2014 12:56:02 -0500

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Response by MAJ Robert Gerber made Dec 25 at 2014 2:00 PM

MAJ Robert Gerber — Thu, 25 Dec 2014 14:00:01 -0500

Read the Leadership manual for your answer!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2014 9:35 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Dec 2014 21:35:20 -0500

Haha, I never had any qualms about saluting officers during my enlisted time. Now as a new w1 I find it peculiar, and honestly I don't care to be saluted. I don't mind it when it happens, don't get me wrong, but if I come to the same gate guard more than once or twice, I'm quick to say something like "no need for all that brother". I know they're supposed to but I try to leave them with the impression that I appreciate it, but there's mutual respect. I'm a warrant though, and while I accept all the responsibilities (and traditions) that comes with it, I'm still more if a worker than the kind of leader you commissioned guys MUST assume a role as. I think as a Lieutenant, as THAT kind of officer, you should adopt and take those traditions and such with pride, as they will be a more prominent part of your life than mine for example. It's expected of you more so than me to a certain degree. Everyone knows junior warrants don't give a crap. At least most of us.

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2014 9:52 PM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Dec 2014 21:52:25 -0500

SSG Randles,
Just realize basically everyone you pass you will either be saluting or returning a salute! Just like everyone has said on here there will be moments that will make your grin; like having to hold a salute for 100 yards while passing several hundred junior enlisted coming back from lunch. When there isn't a herd coming towards me I always try and greet people, by rank for the more senior enlisted (Chiefs for navy). That goes for other branches as well, I'm still awful at Air Force enlisted ranks on the fly, there's just so many stripes! Just my two ensign (butter bar) cents

Response by MAJ Robert Gerber made Dec 26 at 2014 1:29 PM

MAJ Robert Gerber — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 13:29:24 -0500

If you are in the same work area it is customary to salute in the morning and at the end of the day. I refer you again to the leadership manual to guide you. You can download it. Having served as an enlisted soldier for 3 years and an officer for 13 1/2 years I found it useful to understand the customs of the service. Live up to those customs because it is the stuff that binds you to fellow soldiers.