Can a Non-Commissioned Officer call a group of officers to attention?

Question

I was watching "We Were Soldiers" and there was a scene when the Colonel's personal assistant (Sergeant Major) walked into a room prior to the Colonel and called a room full of lieutenants to attention. Is that just Hollywood or can that happen in the military? If so, under what conditions?

Answer 1

Your question has been answered already so I wont dwell on that, but I would like to correct you on one thing.

A Sergeant Major is not the "personal assistant."

"In the U.S. Army, Sergeant Major refers to both a military rank and to a specific administrative position. The rank refers to the highest enlisted rank, just above First Sergeant, with a pay grade of E-9.

The administrative position, Command Sergeant Major, is the senior enlisted advisor to the commanding officer and carries with it certain ceremonial functions such as caring for the unit's colors. Additionally, they serve as monitors for, and advocates of, the enlisted men in the command. This position exists in units of battalion size and larger.

An alternate usage of Command Sergeant Major is the senior NCO of a headquarters unit at battalion level or above; the soldier filling this position should carry the rank of Sergeant Major, but personnel shortages may, from time to time, force this sergeant major position to be held by a senior First Sergeant.

Sergeant Major of the Army is a unique position."

For your sake, should you be in the military or ever join the military, never refer to a Sergeant Major as a personal assistant, LOL.

EDIT: As far as the comment made by Big Blair:
"Bottom line - officers are never called to attention by enlisted.
Source(s):
Army Regulation 600-25 SALUTES, HONORS, AND VISITS OF COURTESY "

Could you please quote where it says that in AR 600-25, I may of missed it.

Answer 2

The SGM of a unit is not the Battalion Commander's personal assistant. He is the senior enlisted advisor.

When an officer in your chain of command enters the room, or anyone in the grade of O-5 or higher, the first person to recognize that individual calls the group to attention. In the case of the scene in "We Were Soldiers", the SGM had prior knowledge of the event, and was therefore the first person to recognize the BC's presence.

Answer 3

All of the above answers are incorrect. Whenever officers are present, and a superior officer enters, the appropriate thing to do is to call out the officer's position.

So instead of "Attention" the Sergeant Major should have said "The Battalion Commander".

Bottom line - officers are never called to attention by enlisted.

Answer 4

This extends to all branches of the armed forces, not in basic terms the Marines. yet, the guy above is right. The NCO's are your supervisors, with the intention to communicate, and Commissioned officers are your managers. generally, you will artwork lots greater heavily mutually with your NCO's. To be a commissioned officer, you've a 4-year college degree or greater advantageous.

Answer 5

When an officer enters the room anyone can call attention. Usually the first person who sees him.

Answer 6

The first person , regardless of rank, who sees a senior officer approaching calls everyone to attention .

Answer 7

A non-comm can call a group of officers to attention if and only if a higher ranking officer (than anyone in the group) arrives.

Answer 8

PLEASE.PLEASE OH PLEASE keep civilian terms out of this such as personal assistant,it demeans the sgt. majors function.
Yes the sgt.major can call officers to attention and he can also demand office receive extra drill etc. if they are not up to par.

Answer 9

a private can do it if he see a superior officer entering a room with subordinate officers inside

Answer 10

yes