Any reason to salute with left hand?

[Fly Navy]

When I was as NAS Jax in the 80's one of the favorite sports for some of the new JO's was to hang around the Exchange at lunch time and see how many enlisted they could b**ch out about salutes, uniforms and haircuts. I saw a couple of ensigns coming up the sidewalk walking along side each other about 5' apart so that I would have to pass between them to get to my car. As I passed between them I saluted with both hands at the same time said "Good afternoon sirs !"and left them standing there open mouthed.

That would have made me laugh so hard. I would have been in tears. Then I'd correct you on your grammar.

 

[Brett327]

Then I'd correct you on your grammar.

One of my pet peeves as well. Doesn't anyone know how to say gentlemen? BTW, what's the female equivalent? Ladies?

Brett

 

[shortncurly]

I believe so, because "ma'ams" just sounds... dumb. And wrong. But I'm not entirely sure; that's going to drive me nuts now.... gonna have to search my books for that one.

 

[KBayDog]

It is "Ladies."

 

[Brett327]

It is "Ladies."

I guess that would logically follow (ladies and gentlemen), but it sounds kind of informal. "HEY LADIES!" (spoken in my best drunk, gruff hobo voice).

Brett

 

[JIMC5499]

Why in the h*ll would I call a pair of ensigns "Gentlemen"? Look in the dictionary for the definition of gentlemen and tell me that it applies to any ensign that you may have known.

 

[Fly Navy]

Why in the h*ll would I call a pair of ensigns "Gentlemen"? Look in the dictionary for the definition of gentlemen and tell me that it applies to any ensign that you may have known.

Because you sound like a total dumbass saying "sirs"

 

[KBayDog]

Why in the h*ll would I call a pair of ensigns "Gentlemen"? Look in the dictionary for the definition of gentlemen and tell me that it applies to any ensign that you may have known.

Based on your profile, I wouldn't call a pair of ensigns "Gentlemen," either!

Welcome aboard!

 

[nittany03]

Because they are indeed officially Officers and (thus) Gentlemen! However, in this day and age the latter status usually gets mentioned if one is involved in conduct unbecoming said group of people . . .

And yes, saying "sirs" sounds ridiculous.

 

[Super18Ordie]

Now this whole thing with Ordies and Linemen, saluting, flight deck, yada yada yada... There are so many permutations here, and as Brett said, when you have friggin weapons getting armed, there is definitely a reason for the hands being shown. Especially on the P3 when you have multiple ppl running all over the damn place out of view removing the pins, or doing voltage checks prior to the removal. For me, I damn well made sure that I saluted the lineman when I pulled out and he handed me off. Some of them have the "style" down, I don't know how many 3Ps I have had to remind, "dude, make sure you salute".... then after the salute, gotta throw the "shakka"... I have been all over the place, and have gotten a smile and a shakka back Surfs up brah!!

Ok because Im a dumb F-18 ordie. Whats a "shakka"?

 

[Goober]

Ok because Im a dumb F-18 ordie. Whats a "shakka"?

Bruddah, someone's been deprived of meaningful, worthwhile time in Hawaii...

It's the thumb-pinky "hang ten" sign. Shaka brah! Now tell the guy behind the lunch counter to be sure to give me two scoops da kine rice...

 

[zab1001]

.... then after the salute, gotta throw the "shakka"... I have been all over the place, and have gotten a smile and a shakka back Surfs up brah!!

I did the salute/shakka yesterday and finally got one back from the lineman, I am slowly ingratiating my way into their SOPs down here.

"Sirs"- absolutely ridiculous. I had an FE who said it constantly until i started jabbing him with a pen everytime he said it. Just like Pavlov's Dog...

 

[Cordespc]

I recall being at bootcamp Pass and Review and watching with great curiosity as a BM3 rendered a left-handed salute while piping aboard dignitaries.

Curiously, the Boatswain's Mate Non-Resident Training Course (NAVEDTRA 14343) does not address this phenomenon, and I'll be damned if I can find it in the BMR. A quick google search, however, yielded these results: "...Of interest, only the boatswain's mate is permitted to salute with the left hand, assuming the right hand is used with the call." ( http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cach...s/call.htm+left+handed+salute+boatswain&hl=en) If that ain't it, I'm all outta ideas. Cheers,
-Paul/AT1

 

[KBayDog]

Bruddah, someone's been deprived of meaningful, worthwhile time in Hawaii...

It's the thumb-pinky "hang ten" sign. Shaka brah! Now tell the guy behind the lunch counter to be sure to give me two scoops da kine rice...

You go North Shore an' get sum da' shave ice, brah!

 

[bbennett73]

What IS the deal with that place? I walked in there last October, in khakis, O-3, wings, 4 rows of ribbons, and have 3 enlisted Marines look straight at me and continue to dick around. Negative Corporal. After "speaking to them", I just felt kind of sick that I even had to do it to begin with. Not picking on the Marines, the Navy is just as bad...but of all the places I've worked, NAS PCola is the WORST for that kind of garbage.

Oh yeah, I also vote for the kid having a broken arm.

I had the opposite experience at NAS PCola. Every time I went to the NEX as an officer candidate, I had to tell people to NOT salute me, sailors and marines alike. I specifically remember asking a female seaman to please keep her seat as she scrambled to rise and salute as I passed. It was a proud and humbling moment for me as I realized that while I do have a few years, education, and experience beyond her, she too decided to serve her country and was due considerable respect. I determined then to never take lightly the courtesies offered me because of my rank.