Do sloppy salutes offend you? Have you ever helped somebody else learn how to salute?

2015-07-02T13:35:40-04:00

I have saluted many thousand of times. Initiating a salute when approaching or being approached by a senior officer or, reveille, retreat or when the National Colors pass by. I learned out how to properly salute as a cadet at West Point. I had prior enlisted experience so I already had familiarity with military customs and courtesies.
[Update 7/3/2015] Once I was commissioned I made it a point to return every salute with a crisp salute while looking whoever saluted me in the eyes and when appropriate saying something to them or responding to their greeting.
It is important for each service member to learn that the salute is a demonstration of mutual respect and honor between superior and subordinate has encouraged me to return a crisp salute even when recovering from open heart surgery. Over the years I have seen some very sloppy salutes and ignoring of a salute by military service members. Sloppy salutes irritate me. Over the years I have helped others learn how to salute - some subordinate and others who were superior but were CSS such as Lawyers, Doctors and Nurses who did not receive the instruction I did.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 1:50 PM

2015-07-02T13:50:37-04:00

Just so you know the reason why I wrote this command post was because of one. I think is reflects the quality of the soldiers giving it.

Bringing History and Heritage Back to Units | RallyPoint

While driving on post the other day, I was met by a soldier manning a checkpoint. There was a CAC card reader near the soldier’s position. As I have done countless times before I swiped my card and the soldier was notified, via his terminal, that I am an officer. As I drove by the soldier was sitting on his stool and halfheartedly saluted. This left a bad impression on me. Why would a soldier conduct themselves in such a way? I am sure he was...

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 2 at 2015 3:09 PM

2015-07-02T15:09:05-04:00

I always looked at sloppy salutes as pure laziness, plain and simple. Even if one didn't receive the level of instruction you did LTC Stephen F., they still received SOME instruction. A proper, crisp salute is not that hard to render!

I do remember getting compliments from junior officers on one of my ships about how sharply I saluted. I said something like "Thank you sir/ma'am, but I just consider it a proper salute, nothing more."

Response by SSG Izzy Abbass made Jul 2 at 2015 3:58 PM

2015-07-02T15:58:20-04:00

They annoy me - very, very much. So much so that I have how to salute classes in my son's Scout troop all the time

Response by SSG Paul Setterholm made Jul 2 at 2015 4:32 PM

2015-07-02T16:32:29-04:00

Retirees, no. Active soldiers sometimes. Some officers when they salute, you just try not to laugh.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 6:21 PM

2015-07-02T18:21:38-04:00

LTC Ford

As a former DI ( 2 tours ) I am appaled at lazy salutes. The salute and its meaning is something that is really drilled into recruits during BCT/AIT. When a officer receives a lazy salute ,that officer needs to make a reprimand on the spot, otherwise the soldiers gets the wrong message. Reprimand and call the First Sergeant of that soldiers unit. As someone commented, the salute is and should be an honor. I believe more so today. We really need to get back to the basics.

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Response by SSG Melvin N. made Jul 3 at 2015 1:08 AM

2015-07-03T01:08:05-04:00

Offend, no. Urinate me off, find it disgusting, you know it does. To me it shows lack of pride in ones self and members past and present (all braches of our serves) . Back in 83/84 the DI's would be all over you (liked you kicked their dog) for the way some of the members attempt to salute. They would also remind us that it is the highest honor that you could give a fellow serves member (as well as the last thing you will get before they plant you when you died) do it right or drop until they got tired while laying hands on you. They had our attention too.

Response by SPC Jeffrey Bly made Jul 3 at 2015 1:09 AM

2015-07-03T01:09:12-04:00

To this day it offends me terribly to see sloppy salutes. It drives me nuts when I see it portrayed wrong in a military movie. As far as I'm concerned it's one of the easiest things to get right.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 3 at 2015 1:47 PM

2015-07-03T13:47:24-04:00

I hated being saluted! In fact as they started I said "As you were" which always brought a smile from the soldier and a proud Yes Sir!