Attention on deck

[kidrice]

I thought this would be the best place to ask this question, as I can count on my fellow CGNers....

I am not in the military, but greatly respect those that serve.

I just have a question about coming to attention or saluting (i know there are different rules for each branch).

If the President walks into the base mess hall, shouldn't everyone stand at attention?

What if the President walked into one of the barracks on base? Shouldn't there be some kind of formation similar to what I see the DIs having the soldiers/marines do?

Thanks in advance.

[Fjold]

Anytime a flag (or higher rank, which the POTUS is) walks into a room, everyone there should come to attention.

[Desert_Rat]

What if the President walked into one of the barracks on base? Shouldn't there be some kind of formation similar to what I see the DIs having the soldiers/marines do?
Thanks in advance.

Don't believe everything You see in the movies.

As Frank said, if the POTUS or even an Officer walks into a room full of enlisted Men or Jr. Officers the closest Man to the Hatch will announce "Attention on Deck" then the room woll come to attention and whoever is entering the room will take over from there. Same for when He leaves.
Usually when the Bn commander had us in a room, for whatever reason (wich was uncommon) one of his staff or the SgtMajor will bring the room to attention.
But when My platoon commander came into our platoon area,all of the coming to attention usually only happened when He got there in the morning. And when We ormed up for chow. Then we just carried on with the day.

It will vary greatly from branch to branch and even unit to unit.

As far as the Prez. entering a barracks...I've never heard of it.In my time. He has more important things to do then go into a barracks and smell Asbestos and *** and ball sweat and maybe a little poon.

[kidrice]

Thanks for the replies.

I was discussing with a co worker. For some reason...we just saw video on youtube about President Obama going to some burger joint in DC. Outside in the patio seating, there were some military guys (not sure of branch or rank) who were in uniform. None of them stood at attention.

Or how about when he walks into the mess hall during the surprise visits to Iraq/Afghanistan. Everyone is on their cameras, snapping photos.

[kwest10]

depends on branch too.
Ever see a Sr. NCO or Officer walk into a room w/ Soldiers and Marines?
The Soldiers stand to and the Marines relax b/c Army will call, "At Ease". I never understood that about the Army

[The Director]

depends on branch too.
Ever see a Sr. NCO or Officer walk into a room w/ Soldiers and Marines?
The Soldiers stand to and the Marines relax b/c Army will call, "At Ease". I never understood that about the Army

Wow, lots of FUD in this thread. Army does it this way:

1. When an officer of superior rank enters a room, the first soldier to recognize the officer calls personnel in the room to attention but does not salute. A salute indoors is rendered only when reporting.

2. When an NCO of superior rank enters the room, the first soldier to recognize the NCO calls the room to "At ease."

3. The first person who sees an officer enter a dining facility gives the order "At ease," unless a more senior officer is already present. Many units extend this courtesy to senior NCOs, also.

4. When you hear the command "At ease" in a dining facility, remain seated, silent and continue eating unless directed otherwise.

[Desert_Rat]

I don't know about FUD. That's how We did it when I was in. There is,I'm sure a manual about all of this a Guy could read. But I'm just telling about My experience.


So, there is how it's supposed to be done
there is how it's really done
there is how it's done in the movies

[The Director]

I don't know about FUD. That's how We did it when I was in. There is,I'm sure a manual about all of this a Guy could read. But I'm just telling about My experience.


So, there is how it's supposed to be done
there is how it's really done
there is how it's done in the movies

Uh.....yeah. My post above excerpted from FM7-21.13 Chapter 4 - Army customs, courtesies, and traditions.

[Arondos]

What I experienced on Submarines was.

We called attention on deck for a Commanding Officer (captain) and we called it for Flag officers.

Never really noticed for Senators, Reps etc. The C.O. was always with them so it was getting called anyway.

But it can vary. My CO on the fast attack didn't want it called once we were underway.

We NEVER called it for officers 0-5 and below unless they were a commanding officer

[PonchoTA]

Wow, lots of FUD in this thread. Army does it this way:

1. When an officer of superior rank enters a room, the first soldier to recognize the officer calls personnel in the room to attention but does not salute. A salute indoors is rendered only when reporting.

2. When an NCO of superior rank enters the room, the first soldier to recognize the NCO calls the room to "At ease."

3. The first person who sees an officer enter a dining facility gives the order "At ease," unless a more senior officer is already present. Many units extend this courtesy to senior NCOs, also.

4. When you hear the command "At ease" in a dining facility, remain seated, silent and continue eating unless directed otherwise.

Hmmm, a little different in the Navy.

The first person to recognize that a senior officer was approaching and had intent on entering the room (wherever it may be), that person would call "Attention on Deck!" and the only person that will grant them "At Ease" is the person for whom the attention is given. Generally, if they enter a dining hall/galley, they will immediately call "At Ease" so everybody doesn't dump their food! Likewise, usually 'cool' senior officers will call it if it's an informal gathering to let everyone continue with whatever they were doing, not interrupting their work. 'Uncool' officers I worked for, would always wait until everybody was standing at attention and stopped doing whatever they were doing before calling "At Ease", just being on power trips I suppose. Never did like some of those people.

A lower ranking officer (below O-6) will only get an AoD if they are a CO/OIC. An O-6 and above ALWAYS gets AoD, upon every entry, unless a more senior person is already in the room; or by instruction, like in the case of working at the Pentagon, where EVERYBODY is a flag officer it seems!! LOL!

For info, The POTUS has the equivalent rank of 6-Star (there really isn't 6-stars, but he is more senior than even a 5-star Admiral or General, and nowadays, those are usually only reserved for THE most senior officer in all of DoD, the Chairman of the JCS, the remaining members will be 4-stars.)

In the Navy, no enlisted person (NCO) will get an AoD except for if they are a Company Commander in Boot Camp, and even that is more ceremonial than dictated by instruction, just to teach the boots what to do for later.


.

[johnthomas]

Thanks for the replies.

I was discussing with a co worker. For some reason...we just saw video on youtube about President Obama going to some burger joint in DC. Outside in the patio seating, there were some military guys (not sure of branch or rank) who were in uniform. None of them stood at attention.

Or how about when he walks into the mess hall during the surprise visits to Iraq/Afghanistan. Everyone is on their cameras, snapping photos.

I don't like the commander in chief but, The military guys were dead wrong. Military rules don't change with location.

[Tom Slick]

When POTUS or high ranking officers go somewhere such as a chow hall, meeting room, or public venue, it's usually not a surprise visit and the troops in the area will have been briefed on expected reaction/behavior. If those military guys didn't stand at attention they were probably briefed not to. No photo ops are accidental or "ad lib".

[todd2968]

Salutes are not rendered and we are not covered (wearing hats) while dining.
Navy
Same is true in most classrooms during instruction unless called by the instructor.