Hey Dai Uy – This is for you.

[James MacMillan]

Hey Dai Uy – This is for you.

I just got back from the base PX, and it reminded me of some things that happened to me at least 30 years ago.

The Pendleton PX has two parking lots and both have steps leading up to the main PX which is set on a sort of plateau. I remember that I was a Gunny at the time, so I know it was around 30 years ago.

I had just reached the top of one set of steps, and started across to the main PX when a voice says “What’s wrong Marine? Don’t you salute Officers?”

I turned towards the sound of the voice with my arm going up into a salute, a sincere apology forming in my mind. Then, I identified the speaker, and dropped my hand without completing the salute.

I replied “Yes, I salute Officers. When they are driving, I can identify them by the color of their base sticker. When they are walking, I identify them by their rank insignia that they wear on their uniform.” (emphasis on the word uniform)

With that the unidentified individual glanced down at his clothing, realized that he was in civilian clothes, and promptly turned a bright color of red, mumbled a soft “Oh, sorry, Gunny.” And walked away.

L laughed about this for several days.

Not less than a week later, at the top of these same steps ( as a good Gunny, I tried to visit the PX at least once a week!) I approached a L/Cpl who had just ignored a 2nd Lt. By failing to salute. I used the same phrase “What’s wrong Marine? Don’t you salute Officers?”

At which time, both the Lt and the L/Cpl turned and saluted me.

I stood there amazed for a fraction of a second and then returned their salute, muttered “Carry on.” -and walked away, shaking my head.

I still have to grin remembering.

[cacunn]

Anyone who has spent time in the service realizes that a Gunnery Sergeant out ranks a 2nd Lt. If the 2nd Lt. doesn't realize it they haven't been in service long. :yes:

[The Wizard of BC]

In the Corps it's the Gunny's that really run the place. In the Navy it's the Chiefs. The Army has it's Warrant Officers to keep everyone in line. I'm not sure who is in charge in the Air Force but I can guarantee it's not the officer sitting on his butt in the cockpit but someone on the ground with a wrench in his hand.

Well Master Gunny, after I became the Dai Uy (for those who don't know that is Viet-Namese for Captain) I felt I needed a vacation and switched over to the Army. Was a Master Warrant Officer flying Apaches. I went back to the Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, to visit the old haunts, and as I drove up to the gate in civvies the Marine on duty stopped me. He was looking at my sticker in the window and asked, "Pardon me sir, I've never seen a sticker like that before, is that an Officer's or Enlisted sticker?"
When I replied that it was an Officer's sticker there was this embarrassed "Oh Sh*t!" and the salute he snapped broke the sound barrier. Followed by "Thank you Sir, enjoy your stay."

That little exclamation makes me smile every time I think about it. But then I remember what happened next.

The OOD was standing right behind him. As I drove off this very young butter bar began to berate the L/Cpl up one side and down the other. "WHEN IN DOUBT, YOU SALUTE, YOU GOT THAT MARINE?"
So I calmly parked my car and walked back over towards the gate. The Lt. was still on the youngsters case. He was red in the face and throwing spit. So I pulled out my wallet and flashed my ID saying, In my best DI voice which I learned from my father, "At ease Lieutenant! And come to attention when I speak to you. This Marine was completely correct in both his manner and his duty. First, he protected his post by stopping me, for all he knew I was some civilian driving a used car. Then, after I identified myself I received a salute that would honor Chesty Puller."
Now, OK, the kid had made a small error. But he pulled it off in true Marine fashion and I couldn't let some snot nose ruin his day. After I had the Lt. call everyone in his chain of command and insured the gate guard was not in trouble I went on my way.
Now, no one ever did look at my ID and find out I was just some Army flier on leave but with bluster I got saluted by up to a Bird Colonel.
But my daddy the gunny taught me the first rule of being an officer was "Protect your troops" The Second rule is "Respect your troops" and the third "Even when you have to do it, you never correct a troop in front of others, and never in anger". I just hope that in the end that Lt. grew up and became either a good Marine or perhaps an accountant.

[Livingston]

I spent my time during the early to mid '70s in the Army Reserves. In '74 we were at Ft Bliss for summer camp. At the time I was a Cpl. When walking into the PX a Spec 6 was coming out. He snaped a smart salute and, as a naturally curious person, I looked over my shoulder. No one was behind me. So, I returned his salute. Found out later that he was respecting the
hard rank since at the time about the only E4s wearing Cpl stripes were graduates of SE Asia.

[James MacMillan]

I hope everyone knows that among Marines, saluting is not as an inferior to a superior, but it is a greeting between warriors.

I meant no disrespect with that story, I just thought that you would enjoy it. All of us were Pfc's or 2nd Lt's at one time or another and we all learned our craft from the old salts.

In the Marine Corps, at least, saluting is done with pleasure, no regret.

To all of you who have served or are still serving, I salute you.

How about one of your stories?

[jackson1863]

My most memorable salute in the Army was my first one. My father, a Command Sergeant Major, pinned my 2LT's bars on me. Inevitably, after the ceremony, our paths crossed. Dad saluted me as only a senior NCO/2x Vietnam vet could. I snapped back a salute and said, "Sergeant Major, here's your silver dollar." To this day, that silver dollar hangs on a plaque in his office. I will never forget that salute, nor the lessons he taught me about the importance of taking care of my soldiers. He is still teaching me today.

[Livingston]

I hope everyone knows that among Marines, saluting is not as an inferior to a superior, but it is a greeting between warriors.

I meant no disrespect with that story, <snip>

To all of you who have served or are still serving, I salute you.

How about one of your stories?

It was the same in the Army when I was there those many moons ago. Being a weekend warrior, I knew how much of a "warrior" I was and that he was respecting the stripes. It was just a very big surprise to me and totally unexpected.

[Tattoo Bradley]

This is good stuff.

Reminds me of a couple of good ones from when I was stationed at Ramstein AB Germany.

A buddy and I were walking from the barracks to the shoppette. I was in civis and he was in uniform. I had to have been an AMN E-2 at the time. He was an AB (Airman Basic/E-1/Slick Sleeve.) We passed a butter bar Lt. and I popped a salute (in my defense, I was brand stinking new... fresh out of Tech School and had just changed out of uniform for the day.) I felt my face flush red realizing what I'd done. Well, I don't think the Lt. realized what I'd done. But, he was LIVID that my buddy had failed to salute him. Well, he spewed something condescending after we'd passed. Much to his surprise and embarrassment... we turned around and my buddy's right arm was in a cast from shoulder to wrist and in a sling. My buddy sneered at him and did the goofiest, lean-in salute imaginable... I mean this guy looked like a contornionist (sp?) The Lt. turned red and walked away with out a word. That tale was epic and legendary.

Another. I'd just gotten out of boot. So "blue" I still had the boot camp high and tight hack job called a hair cut. I was walking across base trying to find the BX and I pass a CWO. Well, being Air Force, I had no freaking clue what that mumbo-jumbo was on his cap. My TI must've skipped that in boot. I followed the "when in doubt...salute" method. But, the old Chief obviously saw the confusion on my face. "Airman!" I spun around in an about face "Do you know what this is?" pointing up to the swiss cheese Lt. Bar on his cap. I stood there, realizing I was busted...thinking I'd screwed up by saluting him. "Uhhh" He laughed and said "You done good saluting me wingnut, carry on." I immediately reasearched and educated myself. lol.

Oh and Steve, the guy in charge in the Air Force is undoubtedly the 1Sgt or "First Shirt."

That leads me to another funny one. I'd just gotten out of the Air Force and switched over to the Army National Guard. After the whole WO incident 4 years before, I was well educated on rank structure for all branches. (And, having been at NATO HQ in Ramstein, I was well educated in British and German rank structure for that matter.) I was on my first weekend drill and the 1SG called myself and a brand new PVT who hadn't even been to boot yet into his office since we were the "new" guys. He's talking to me and asking about my background in the USAF and such. Somehow... not thinking I call him "1st Shirt." I never referred to him as anything other than "Top" from then on out. I knew to call him that, but too many years in blue. He was actually pretty good to me about it. I also screwed up that same weekend and introduced my self as Senior Airman Henderson to the Commander. (I was still E-4, but a SPC of course)

[Tattoo Bradley]

Speaking of Marines I just thought of another funny story.

I was in Tech School in Wichita Falls, TX. We were marching to chow or back to class from chow... can't remember which now. Our Flight Leader or "red rope" was an A1C/E-3. We're marching along when this...must've been a Squad best I can remember... weren't many of them... of Marines cuts in front of us so blatently that there was nearly a pile up with them. There was a LCpl marching them. Man, this guy had some ego... Anyway, he gets all kinds of in-the-face of our red rope...yelling, spit flinging yada yada. The red rope is angry now. Not only was it OBVIOUSLY the LCpl's fault, but he's trying to blame him. Well, the A1C starts yelling back and address him as "Private." Man, the LCpl became so angry I thought he was gonna pass out. These guys start squaring off... there's gonna be a fight. The whole time we're all looking straight ahead, at attention... seeing it all in the perfrial vision... waiting for the Marines to break formation and jump in... just waiting. Ugly day. A USAF TSgt/E-6 ended up on the scene pretty quickly and broke it all up. I think he was actually kind of proud of the red rope... but couldn't express it of course. Everybody got yelled at and off we went. No harm; no foul.

[James MacMillan]

I guess we should let the civilians know that it is the custom in most US Services, that the person giving the newly commissioned Officer his first salute is presented with a silver dollar.

Nice to keep it in the family....