To salute or not to salute?

[DC]

This reminds me of when I was on Maxwell AFB for COS. The basic gist of what we were told when it came to saluting was "If its shiny or pretty, salute...unless its a fellow cadet then just say hi and continue on your way". I only caught sight of a few AF officers (foreign or domestic) and only ended up saluting maybe once due to proximity.

Slight thread derailment.

Did you spend the whole activity on base? When I was at COS I was saluting quite often, there were USAF and foreign officers all over the place. I think I only saw enlisted personnel a handful of times, on the other hand.

A lot of us were confused on what to do with the OTS and ROTC cadets though, especially since half the time they saluted us. I ended up returning salutes and greetings when offered and giving a verbal greeting if nothing was initiated by them. They always looked like they were in a hurry, so I didn't figure it was the time or place for a briefing on CAP.

[CAPC/officer125]

This reminds me of when I was on Maxwell AFB for COS. The basic gist of what we were told when it came to saluting was "If its shiny or pretty, salute...unless its a fellow cadet then just say hi and continue on your way". I only caught sight of a few AF officers (foreign or domestic) and only ended up saluting maybe once due to proximity.

Slight thread derailment.

Did you spend the whole activity on base? When I was at COS I was saluting quite often, there were USAF and foreign officers all over the place. I think I only saw enlisted personnel a handful of times, on the other hand.

A lot of us were confused on what to do with the OTS and ROTC cadets though, especially since half the time they saluted us. I ended up returning salutes and greetings when offered and giving a verbal greeting if nothing was initiated by them. They always looked like they were in a hurry, so I didn't figure it was the time or place for a briefing on CAP.

Yes, we were there the entire activity. It may have been where we happened to be on base, training schedules, all sorts of different things, but I could probably count on 2 hands the amount of USAF and foreign officers I saw at any distance. I don't recall seeing any enlisted.
As far as the ROTC/OTS cadets, I think we (me and my flight going between where we were staying and the volleyball court) ran into them a couple of times as a group (in formation most of the time) and we weren't in any uniform, so a salute wasn't rendered.

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

My first squadron commander, who became a wing commander, told me that when he was at Maxwell (which was quite a bit) his arm got worn from saluting and returning salutes.

He said that there were Germans, Canadians, French, Australians, British, Dutch, New Zealanders and almost anyone on good terms with us there either as a student or an instructor and he didn't know all their ranks (if you're familiar with British ranks, you'll be familiar with Canadian, Aussie and Newzie ranks because they're very similar; also, you don't salute their warrant officers).

He told me "I might have been saluting privates and corporals, but at least I covered myself!"

[Extremepredjudice]

It probably depends on the time of year, and just chance... Sometimes there are more people there, sometimes not.

When I was at patrick AFB I saw 1 person in uniform. The sm escort told us last time he was there it was swarming with people.

[RogueLeader]

If a CAP 1st LT/AF 2d LT in a USAF uniform sees a CAP Capt. and does not salute, is that member wrong?

[N Harmon]

If a CAP 1st LT/AF 2d LT in a USAF uniform sees a CAP Capt. and does not salute, is that member wrong?

Depends. Is the CAP 1st LT/AF 2d LT at a CAP activity in a CAP capacity? If so, then that member is wrong. But not for failing to salute.

In any other circumstance the member is not a CAP 1st LT/AF 2d LT. He/she is an AF 2d Lt.

[Eclipse]

If a CAP 1st LT/AF 2d LT in a USAF uniform sees a CAP Capt. and does not salute, is that member wrong?

If they are in USAF uniform, then the salute of CAP members is a courtesy, not a requirement.

With that said, people are people, and if you disrespect someone, they might not "forget it" the next time they see you in your CAP togs.
I've heard more than one amusing story about military officers receiving disrespect on base from other personnel, only to show up later
in their "real" uniform and have a "private chat".

[lordmonar]

"wrong" is an intresting term.

The AD memeber "should" salute CAP officers because it reinforces the idea of the officer corps.

The AD officer by not saluting shows disrepect toward the CAP......same goes for AD enlisted personnel.

Now because they are not "required" to salute CAP officers they can't be charged with insubordination under the UCMJ.

This falls into the area of the unwritten rules of the profession of arms.

[RogueLeader]

If a CAP 1st LT/AF 2d LT in a USAF uniform sees a CAP Capt. and does not salute, is that member wrong?

Depends. Is the CAP 1st LT/AF 2d LT at a CAP activity in a CAP capacity? If so, then that member is wrong. But not for failing to salute.

In any other circumstance the member is not a CAP 1st LT/AF 2d LT. He/she is an AF 2d Lt.

Yes. Unit Commander.

[cadetchris]

When in doubt, whip it out.

Better word choice next time?   

[SARDOC]

A Marine Corps Sergeant Major is standing outside the building where he works.  From his vantage point he can see the sidewalk that leads to the front of the building.  He witnesses a young Private First Class approaching the building as a young Second Lieutenant is leaving the building.  They pass each other on the sidewalk and the PFC fails to render the Appropriate Greeting and salute.  The 2ndLt Immediately stops the PFC and starts berating the young Marine and tries to educate him on appropriate Customs and Courtesies as well as respect for the commissioned rank.  The Lieutenant orders the PFC to stand at attention and salute him one hundred times.  With that the SGTMAJ approaches this scenario and waits until the PFC dutifully completes the 100 salutes.  When the PFC finishes his assignment the SGTMAJ addresses the Lieutenant with a snappy salute and a hearty "Good Morning, Sir" then gently reminds the Lieutenant that those Customs and Courtesies that he holds so dear dictate that the Lieutenant return all 100 of those salutes. 

[N Harmon]

When I heard that story last, it was Chesty Puller telling the lieutenant he had to return every one of the salutes.