Saluting

[shortncurly]

sometimes when i (a navy spouse) drive through the gate the guard salutes; although i appreciate the gesture, it makes me feel a little uncomfortable, as i'm "not worthy" of a salute. i just usually smile and say thanks for lack of a better response.

I almost NEVER get a salute when driving through the gate and am always impressed by the guys who do salute, as they're doing the right thing. I always smile and say "Thanks, have a nice day", regardless.

 

[bennett4362]

about 98% of the time the male guards salute; never gotten a salute from a female guard, though

and it's always after they look at the dependent id.

(experiences from oceana and whidbey island)

 

[mules83]

I have been on this forum for about 5 months and i think this is a record for a normal thread staying on topic.

 

[Schnugg]

Quick question, honest broker here, long discussed.

If you approach the gate, Uncovered, does that guard render the hand salute? Do you return the salute if you are uncovered?

I know what is usually done, and also understand "if in doubt, salute".

I also understand that the hand salute is a privledge, for example you can lose that privledge of saluting.

I know what the answer to the Gate Guard question was at one time, just wondered if it has changed over the years. Also know the Army/Air Force might answer the question differently.

Driving with a cover on...nope, don't do it.

Returning a gate guard's salute while in civies or uniform uncovered while driving onto the base...yes, done every time (without a cover)...a sign of returning the respect given.

 

[HueyCobra8151]

So if u are in uniform, but uncovered, do you return the salute??

No

---
When I did my FAP to PMO as a gate guard we had problems with "blue sticker dependents."

We had one go through and the MP failed to salute her, she got in his face and asked where her salute was, to which he replied something along the lines of "It's at OCS ma'am, you have to get it."

Pretty funny...needless to say after that the rule changed to "All Blue Stickers are saluted upon approaching the guard shack, then after ID is rendered, salute again if the driver/passenger rates it." -This led to a lot of cars "running" the gate because they assumed that once the MP saluted, they didn't need to stop.

 

[Fly Navy]

This led to a lot of cars "running" the gate because they assumed that once the MP saluted, they didn't need to stop.

Yep, if I get a salute before stopping, I'm gonna keep going. Here they normally look at your ID THEN salute, which makes a load more sense.

 

[FlyingBeagle]

Although I'm still pretty new, I don't agree with not saluting higher ranking JO's. Everyone on here agrees that rules are rules and that even the highest ranking enlisted with the most combat tours and whatever else still have to salute all officers, even O-1s. On the other hand, people say that O-1s don't have to salute O-3s because they're both JOs and work together. What kind of example is that when we say that the rules strictly apply to them, while we are allowed to make exceptions? I know what I'd think if I were enlisted and saw this happen everyday. Even if a JG laughs at me when I salute him, I'll keep doing it because its the right thing to do.

 

[squeeze]

Even if a JG laughs at me when I salute him, I'll keep doing it because its the right thing to do.

riiiiiiiiiiiiiight
keep telling yourself that

 

[trvsmrtn]

Flyingbeagle, when I said that at the squadron I was with, that the JO's tend not to salute each other, it's not something I saw and made an assumption about. I was told not to salute the other JO's in the squadron by the other JO's in the squadron. I'm aware of the regs, and I'm all for military courtesies and protocol, but I'm sure this has to do with the comraderie and unity among the JO's. I'm not saying this is the case with every squadron, but I think it best to find out the practices at your squadron when you get there.

 

[BigIron]

In the operational and 1st shore squadrons I have been in, JOs haven't saluted each other. It's a JOPA thing. Of course in the VTs/HTs the O-1 salutes the all impressive O-3 IPs as it is an O-1/O-2-opa. However, an O-3 walking around Norfolk NS may be rendered several salutes from shoe/sub JGs and Ensigns. Just the way it goes I suppose.

I don't think dependents should be saluted, and I think the act of saluting a blue sticker is even more ridiculous.

 

[E5B]

You can pretty much garuntee that Marine Lts salute Capts and call them sir/ma'am. If you're an 0-1 saluting an 0-2 then you are about 3 different kinds of dumb.

 

[Gatordev]

Although I'm still pretty new, I don't agree with not saluting higher ranking JO's. Everyone on here agrees that rules are rules and that even the highest ranking enlisted with the most combat tours and whatever else still have to salute all officers, even O-1s. On the other hand, people say that O-1s don't have to salute O-3s because they're both JOs and work together. What kind of example is that when we say that the rules strictly apply to them, while we are allowed to make exceptions? I know what I'd think if I were enlisted and saw this happen everyday. Even if a JG laughs at me when I salute him, I'll keep doing it because its the right thing to do.

Well, if you go by the regs, technically an O-2 or O-3 who was commissioned earlier than another O-2 or O-3 is more senior. But if you try and pull rank (and people do it) in an aviation squadron, expect your stock to bottom out. Believe me, you'll find there are lots of better things to be doing than saluting a fellow senior JO when you're at your squadron. Studying comes to mind, so you don't look like a jackass when you fly a FAM/syllabus event w/ that same JO later on.

I'm speaking Navy here, so Marine O-2s, continue saluting. I'll continue to snicker at you.

 

[E5B]

I'm speaking Navy here, so Marine O-2s, continue saluting. I'll continue to snicker at you.

Hey, it's just how we are. It'd be like me saying "I'm speaking Marine here, but you squids keep running 1 1/2 miles on your PFT and I'll continue to snicker"

Apples and Oranges

 

[Gatordev]

Oh, I understand. And that's why I just stopped trying correct them when walking to my car or around the exchange. It's like Richard Simmons. His heart is in the right place, and he's trying to help people, but I still laugh at him from time to time.

 

[jarhead]

new rules for jarheads is we don't have to wear a cover off base while in a vehicle, only on base unless it is a safety hazard ... and just to throw it out there, Marines don't salute while un-covered.

i've heard of non-offficers (wives, etc) who happen to be driving a car with a blue DOD sticker getting all pissed off and actually confronting the gate guard because they didn't recieive a salute ... like the guard is suppose to be saluting them or something? the guards are saluting the sticker ...

i've heard the reasoning behind not saluting while driving is because of safety, the same people who drive while talking on a cell-phone or driving 10 or 15 MPH over the speed limit ...

though the salute will be returned (and with a chuckle), amongst the Marine Hornet community a 1stLT can get by without saluting a Capt, unless you're hazing the boot ... Skid, i'm not a surprise bud

S/F