Army question and regulation regarding saluting?

Question

Here's my question: I recently saluted an officer who was standing outside under the eave of a shopette. One of my companions said I shouldn't have saluted him since he was technically under cover. I countered that I understood the rule to mean at least three walls in order to qualify as "cover". Nevertheless, I've tried to find where the rule is to research it myself but haven't found anything. The AR I checked is AR 600-25 Salutes, Honors, and Visits of Courtesy.

So my question is:

1. Am I right or is he?

2. Where is this rule so I can read it for myself and stop going off of heresay?

Answer 1

There are slight differences in the custom of saluting among the branches. Marines NEVER salute indoors unless under arms. The easy way to remember it is if you are not wearing a cover you do not salute. If you are under arms (wearing a cartridge belt can be symbolically under arms) you will be wearing a cover. Over the past decades the Army has leaned further toward Marine regulations for saluting.

You were correct in saluting. You would not salute indoors unless reporting or under arms. You were, obviously outdoors. The general rules for saluting in the Army are found in FM 7 21.13.

Always salute out of doors. Salute indoors when reporting, under arms, or on guard duty (at which time you should be under arms.)

Marines do not salute when reporting unless under arms, literally or symbolically.

Answer 2

He was outside, you did the right thing by saluting. If I saw you walk past an Officer who was outdoors and you did not salute I would have made sure you saluted next time!

Anyone who wants to split hairs about the number of walls qualifies as "cover" does not understand the intent of the reg. If you are indoors, you are under cover, and if you are outdoors you are not. It's that simple. If an Officer is standing under a picnic shelter next to the barracks, would you salute him? Yes, because he is Outdoors...whether he is "under cover" or not.

Read what FM 7-21.13 says about it:

4-15. In general, you don’t salute when you are working (for example,

under your vehicle doing maintenance), indoors (except when reporting), or

when saluting is not practical (carrying articles with both hands, forexample). A good rule of thumb is this: if you are outdoors and it is practical

to salute, do so. Outdoors includes theater marquees, shelters over gas

station pumps, covered walkways, and other similar shelters that are open

on the sides.

Answer 3

i'm sure you read this already, but AR 600-25 states:

Salutes are not required to be rendered or returned when the senior or subordinate, or both are—

(1) In civilian attire.

(2) Engaged in routine work if the salute would interfere.

(3) Carrying articles with both hands so occupied as to make saluting impracticable.

(4) Working as a member of a detail, or engaged in sports or social functions where saluting would present a safety

hazard.

(5) In public places such as theaters, churches, and in public conveyances.

(6) In the ranks of a formation.

With that said, if the officer was under cover at the shopette, but was still outdoors and with their cover on, you would salute.  if it was indoors and they had their cover off, no salute.  sometimes the AR's don't list every single scenario, but I can assure you if it was outside, you'd salute.  and about the three walls rule, i've never heard of anything like that, and i've bee in the army for 8 years.  i'm not sure if this is some BS that your drill sergeant made up, or if this is something the "barracks lawyers", were gossiping about, but i can assure you if it's outside, you salute unless you're in civilian clothes.

Answer 4

When in doubt, salute.

Answer 5

Your comrade is wrong, you always salute an officer regardless under cover or not.  It is custom for that officer to give a formal greeting back if not in uniform.  No officer is "under cover" on base, that is ubsurdly ridicules, sounds like "cloak and dagger" mumbo jumbo to me.  Just don't be saluting him/her in the field when she/he requested is it.  The only word I know as "cover" is the civilian equivalent term for hat/cap.

Answer 6

If it moves, salute it

If it doesn't move, move it.

If you can't move it, paint it

Officers like being saluted and will never complain about being saluted indoors or outdoors.  There are times you salute indoors in the Army and Air Force, but in the Navy you don't salute indoors.

I attended a graduation and saw the ROTC newly-commissioned officers receiving their commissions.  The Army and Air Force new officers saluted the General.  The Navy and Marine officers did not.

Answer 7

I agree with the first two.  When in doubt, salute.  Indoors is indoors, and outdoors is outdoors.  If he has his cover on, salute.  If he doesn't, and he is outside, salute anyway.

Answer 8

It's better to have saluted him regardless of the surroundings than to not have saluted him would of definately could have been a much bigger deal.  When in doubt "salute".