Going back to my days in the Corps I once was chewed out for not saluting a battalion commander (Lt. Colonel) while on field maneuvers in Turkey. I was manning an outpost directing traffic thru a narrow cut in an area of steep hills. Traffic was confined to one way and I received a radio call from my counterpart a couple of miles away to tell me 3 vehicles were headed my way and to hold traffic at my end. The vehicles approached with no discernible markings that would distinguish them from others that had passed thru earlier. This time it was the battalion commander and although I was standing alertly at the side of the road I didn’t salute ... thinking it was inappropriate under field conditions. He stopped his vehicle summoned me over chewed my butt asked me who my CO was and passed me off to a Gunny in his entourage for further counseling. I told the Gunny why I hadn’t saluted he sort of winked and proceeded on. I thought my young butt was in big trouble ... however nothing came of it ... so me thinks the Gunny put in a good word.
I’ve always thought that folks need to be extra careful when correcting others for missing a salute. It is a matter of discipline, so blatant disregard should be corrected. Ideally, an fficer shouldn’t have to do the “spot correction.” Usually, an NCO would witness the offense and take care of it. Of course, sometimes you just miss it.
Generally, if someone gets inside my zone and hasn’t saluted, I initiate it…so, that’s not the protocol, but I figure it is a greeting and a sign of respect…I’ll give both to any other service member gladly.
I was at Norflok Naval base recently and walked past a CAPT and CDR. Our Air Force rank is bigger and on the opposite side of our hats, so I have to look very carefully. We walk with the higher ranking person to the right. So, as I approached, I looked at the guy on the right, saw he was an O-5 too, verbally greeted them, and moved on.
The O-5 then proceeded to read me the riot act with the O-6 glaring at me. I snapped one up, apologized and excused myself. I’ve been in this business for 26 years and didn’t need the lecture. Ah….what are you gonna do?
Does anyone know is the Navy does the “rank to the right” when walking?