Posted on Sep 2, 2016
*Navy specific* I can't find an instruction on this anywhere: Are you required to render a salute to an Officer who is in civilian attire?
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"When in doubt - salute." A Senior Officer (not the CO or XO), has informed us that if a subordinate is in uniform and they see an Officer senior to their rank or pay grade, they are required to salute. Is this true? I cannot find any instruction stating this.
*Update: I found the governing document. Sailors in uniform are required to salute out of uniform Officers a super page 123.
http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/documents/united_states_navy_regulations_chapter_12.pdf
*Update: I found the governing document. Sailors in uniform are required to salute out of uniform Officers a super page 123.
http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/documents/united_states_navy_regulations_chapter_12.pdf
Saluting
Customs and Courtesies
Policy
Officers
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 51
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In the Corps we were told that if you recognized them as an officer senior to you, yes, render a salute. AND,"when in doubt, whip it out". I about lost it one day when I saw a boot right out of basic saluting parked cars at the PX with blue stickers. Later we asked him why he went to the PX in uniform. He said he liked saluting because it was like he got to speak first and the officer had to answer to him. The guy was a trip. We all loved him though, he was a good egg. It just took him a little longer than most to understand and get up to speed on most things.
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PFC Raymond Meek
I enjoyed saluting as a form of mutual respect between marines, but saluting cars was stupid even when they were occupied.
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SSG Bob Teachout
PFC Raymond Meek - You are NOT saluting the POV - the Blue sticker (at least at the time) indicates someone who does not work for their money (aka - an officer)
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SGT Glenn E Moody
I was @ PARIS ISLAND for my nephew GRAD CEREMONY PUT ON MY ARMY CLASS A UNIFORM from my time of service 81 to 87 my honorable discharge was PVT 2 E-2 rank so that is the only rank i can have on it now even that i made it to CPL E-4 on my uniform I had my BLUE INFANTRY CORD & my YELLOW ARMY COLOR GUARD CORD my cover was the POLICE/OFFICER STYLE 6 years of service hash marks & 1 overseas bar on my sleeve 1 stripe as a PVT 2 my ARMY YD Division patch left sleeve & my ARMY INFANTRY SCHOOL patch on my rite sleeve ribbons & DRIVER/ MECH & WEAPON Expert BADGES walking to the EGA CEREMONY the crossing guard gave me A SALUTE AND A GOOD MORNING SIR so after the ceremony I asked the young MARINE why she gave me A SALUTE & OFFICERS GREETING she ANSWERED ME WITH ( WHEN IN DOUBT WIP ONE OUT ) and she could tell it was an older uniform and i was mostliklly A VETERAN and they give the respect to all veterans no matter the rank ill never forget that best answer & greeting I ever got as A PVT. then walking to the chow hall with my nephew got the same from some NCO'S to when I went to BASICTRAINING they ware changing the uniform from OD GREENS TO THE BDU UNIFORM if you had the uniform you could still ware them & if you could buy them you could ware them like my cover was discontuned from issue. but we could buy them and ware them like the POLICE/OFFICER STYLE COVER /HAT/HEADGEAR. so the bottom line is (when in doubt whip one out) you can not get in troble for doing it but you might get on the bad side of someone for not doing it eigther way it is a judgement call on your part period get to know your chain of command & you will be fine.
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SGT Ruben Lozada
SSG Bob Teachout. I concur. I had to do it a few times while I was going through RTC Orlando.
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I was always under the impression if you know they're an officer, you salute.
When in doubt, whip it out.
When in doubt, whip it out.
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CPT Pedro Meza
True, in Boot Camp back in 1974, the DI said the same thing about what to do when the CO or LT's visited during off hours, and not to laugh at their gulf clothes.
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