Does a ButterBar deserve a salute from a Chief Master Sergeant or Sergeant Major, and Why?

Question

If a Sergeant Major or Chief Master Sergeant has 20+ plus years of service why does he salute a 2 month old 2nd LT? (What does the LT have besides a college degree) that makes him more important than a 25 year veteran enlisted man?

Answer 1

Absolutely. Senior NCOs will always respect and follow the orders of the officers appointed over them, as it is part of the Oath of Enlistment, and the NCO Creed. The world of officers and enlisted are vastly different, and the two rank structures should be viewed in a side by side manner. Butter bars are aware of this and have much respect for senior NCOs, and often ask them for advice. If a butter bar gives an order to the crusty old Sergeant Major, it is probably an order coming down from the Colonel, and is said in a way that sounds more like a friendly recommendation.

Answer 2

Chief Master Sergeant Creed

Answer 3

The salute is a show of respect. When an enlisted person or junior officer salutes an officer with higher rank, he/she isn't saluting the person, they're saluting the rank. ALL officers salute the President of the United States because he's the Commander in Chief, even though he's a civilian. Deserving has nothing to do with it. Most officers have enough sense to listen closely to senior NCO's because of the experience they have. One of the wisest Colonels I ever knew always conferred with a Chief before he made decisions. Not on everything, but a lot of things.

Answer 4

YES, you salute as a respect to the rank. The smart new lieutenant would do well to respect the Sergeant in turn, because the 20+ year guys can teach the lieutenant a lot and make things run a whole lot easier for him. This is what my father did when he was a new officer. To his credit, his best friends after being retired for 25 years are still those NCOs who helped him out early on in his career.

Answer 5

The commissioned officer represents military authority, and if a Chief Master Sergeant is reluctant to salute an officer, he should consider resigning from the service or attending OCS so that he too can be a lieutenant. However, the lieutenant still has to address a captain and those of higher rank as "Sir."

Answer 6

Yes, any enlisted soldier or cw need to salute the officer.
You dont have to respect the person you respect the rank even if the 2lt is new, unexperienced and fresh. Sucks but thats the way it is. Check the regs. Besides any enlisted E1-E9 saluting the rank of the 2LT doesnt mean the 2lt is any better that the 5 year E5 or SGM. Its just a respect to the officer, his rank.

Answer 7

You are required to salut the Rank not the personality behind it.

An Officer (regardless of Service) and an elisted man are two distinct breed and never the twain shall meet.
At the end of the day its the Officer who will carry the responsibilty not the Non-Com.

Answer 8

As most have stated, yes they require a salute from a Senior Enlisted person. It is a requirement. This 2LT is a commissioned officer and appointed by the President. That's the bottom line. It is also that Senior Enlisted person that will guide and mentor that young 2LT in the early portion of his/her career. Senior NCOs not only mentor young soldiers/sailors/marines/airmen, but also their young officers as well.

Answer 9

Yes he does and a chief msgt should have no problem doing it.
The sgt has nothing whatsoever that makes him more important than the senior sgt, but he does have the rank and that rates the salute. . And that's what matters.

Answer 10

General

The origin of the hand salute is uncertain. Some historians believe it began in late Roman times when assassinations were common. A citizen who wanted to see a public official had to approach with his right hand raised to show that he did not hold a weapon. Knights in armor raised visors with the right hand when meeting a comrade. This practice gradually became a way of showing respect and, in early American history, sometimes involved removing the hat. By 1820, the motion was modified to touching the hat, and since then it has become the hand salute used today. When to Salute

a. Army personnel in uniform are required to salute when they meet and recognize persons entitled (by grade) to a salute except when it is inappropriate or impractical (in public conveyances such as planes and buses, in public places such as inside theaters, or when driving a vehicle). A salute is also rendered:

(1) When the United States National Anthem, "To the Color," "Hail to the Chief," or foreign national anthems are played.

(2) To uncased National Color outdoors.

(3) On ceremonial occasions as prescribed in Chapter 9.

(4) At reveille and retreat ceremonies, during the raising or lowering of the flag.

(5) During the sounding of honors.

(6) When pledging allegiance to the US flag outdoors.

(7) When turning over control of formations.

(8) When rendering reports.

(9) To officers of friendly foreign countries.

b. Salutes are not required when:

(1) Indoors, except when reporting to an officer or when on duty as a guard.

(2) A prisoner.

(3) Saluting is obviously inappropriate. (Example: A person carrying articles with both hands, or being otherwise so occupied as to make saluting impracticable, is not required to salute a senior person or return the salute to a subordinate.) In any case not covered by specific instructions, the salute is rendered.

(4) Either the senior or the subordinate is wearing civilian clothes.Reporting Indoors