Question for the military folks

[merithyn]

Saluting varies more than you'd think across services.  In the Naval services, one doesn't salute when uncovered (i.e. not wearing uniform headgear) nor when indoors.  I don't know about the other services, but, in the Navy, you salute someone in the same organization as you (or someone you are working with repeatedly in a given day) only the first time you meet them in a given day, or when reporting something to them officially.  A report that is given with a salute becomes an official report.  In the Naval services, only, you can salute left-handed if one cannot use the right hand (that comes from small boat experiences where, if on the right side of the boat in heavy seas, you are hanging on with the right hand). If your right arm is broken, for instance, you salute left-handed.

I know the indoor salute thing applies to Marines, too. Does the left-handed salute?

A civilian saluting would have been considered gauche.  The civilian equivalent to the salute is to hold one's hand (or hat, if one is wearing one) over the heart.

Thank you. That's what I was asking. I didn't salute him because I could see it being considered... yeah, gauche is the right word for it. Certainly inappropriate.

[Tonitrus]

USAF salutes indoors only when officially reporting to the CC, and during award ceremonies (shake, take, salute)...again to the CC.  Never with the left hand.  If your hands are full, a polite verbal greeting. 

[Maximus]

Saluting with the left hand is gauche.

[Admiral Yi]

 

[merithyn]

Saluting with the left hand is gauche.

[Barrister]

[Alcibiades]

Yeah, gotta agree with grumbler.

Saluting someone in the military as a civilian, unless there is some extenuating circumstances, would be seen as mostly just kind of weird and uncouth. It isn't strictly wrong, just not really appropriate. A salute is a military thing.

If you want to show someone in the military respect, a nice handshake and "thanks for your service" is the way to go, IMO.

Your question makes a lot more sense now Meri 


Berkut hit it right on the head here, though.    If you had I wouldn't have really known what to do, especially with so many of the higher rank around.  I don't think I would have saluted you back and that might have been awkward 

[Alcibiades]

Just make sure he doesn't get posted to Sicily.

[Berkut]

If you had I wouldn't have really known what to do, especially with so many of the higher rank around.

Oh man, suddenly there is a really good reason to do it! Making a brand new second looie feel awkward in front of higher ranking officers?

Congrats Alci!

[merithyn]

Your question makes a lot more sense now Meri 


Berkut hit it right on the head here, though.    If you had I wouldn't have really known what to do, especially with so many of the higher rank around.  I don't think I would have saluted you back and that might have been awkward 

Well, there's a reason that I didn't do it. I figured it was most appropriate not to. I would have felt silly, and you would have felt awkward. But a hug in that uniform with all those bars/medals/stripes would have been weird, too, so you got an "atta boy" from me, instead.

[Siege]

Does it mean that Siege will have to salute Alci now?

Yes. Also die for him when he does something stupid.
Which he will.

[Alcibiades]

Does it mean that Siege will have to salute Alci now?

Yes. Also die for him when he does something stupid.
Which he will.

Except I have more real combat time than you 

[Syt]

Does it mean that Siege will have to salute Alci now?

Yes. Also die for him when he does something stupid.
Which he will.

Would it be awkward at a Languish meet? I mean, is it uncomfortable for officers and enlisted to meet in a private capacity and have beers together?

This being the military I'm sure there's some sort of etiquette on this.

[Alcibiades]

Does it mean that Siege will have to salute Alci now?

Yes. Also die for him when he does something stupid.
Which he will.

Would it be awkward at a Languish meet? I mean, is it uncomfortable for officers and enlisted to meet in a private capacity and have beers together?

This being the military I'm sure there's some sort of etiquette on this.

It's not as serious of an issue if they aren't in your chain of command.  But yeah, it's not favorably looked upon.


I can't be seen associating with those people.   

[Siege]

Does it mean that Siege will have to salute Alci now?

Yes. Also die for him when he does something stupid.
Which he will.

Except I have more real combat time than you 

Sure. If you count your time in deployments using dog years.
Not even then. Don't think so.