Does a sergeant major salute a lieutenant?

Yes, a Sergeant Major (an E-9) must salute a <><>Lieutenant (an O-1/O-2) in the U.S. military because all commissioned officers outrank all enlisted personnel, regardless of the enlisted member's seniority; the salute signifies respect for the rank, not the individual, and the Sergeant Major sets the example for junior enlisted soldiers.

Does a Sergeant Major outrank a LT?

Yes, a Lieutenant (a junior officer) formally outranks a Sergeant Major (the highest enlisted rank, E-9), but a Sergeant Major holds immense experience and informal authority, often serving as the senior enlisted advisor, meaning they have more operational influence than their pay grade suggests, though a basic Lieutenant still salutes the Sergeant Major. In the Army, the Command Sergeant Major (CSM) advises the battalion commander (often a Lieutenant Colonel), showing their critical leadership role.
 

What ranks get saluted?

WHOM TO SALUTE.

—Enlisted personnel salute all officers, and officers salute their seniors. Salutes are returned by persons saluted except when they are uncovered—the person saluted should acknowledge the salute with an appropriate greeting or a nod of the head.

Do chiefs salute lieutenants?

A lieutenant is a commissioned officer. A Chief Master Sergeant is a non-commissioned officer. Non-coms are enlisted ranks. All enlisted ranks salute all commissioned ranks.

Do officers of the same rank salute each other?

Officers of the same rank are not strictly required to salute one another, but tradition allows it. Typically, the junior officer initiates the gesture as a sign of respect. Even among equals, lineal seniority often determines subtle hierarchies—who has held rank longer or served longer in key positions.

The Guard Laughed, The Old Man Wasn't On The List — Until The Screen Read: US Navy Level One Pilot

Is it disrespectful to salute if you're not in the military?

Yes, it's generally considered awkward or unnecessary for civilians to salute military personnel or the flag, as it's a military privilege; instead, civilians should place their right hand over their heart during patriotic ceremonies and opt for a simple "thank you for your service" or wave to show respect, reserving the formal salute for uniformed service members. 

Does an O-1 outrank an E-9?

Yes, formally, an O-1 (Second Lieutenant/Ensign) always outranks an E-9 (Master Sergeant/Chief Petty Officer/etc.), as all officers outrank all enlisted personnel, but in practice, the highly experienced E-9 holds significant informal authority and respect, and a smart O-1 relies on the E-9's expertise rather than strictly "barking orders," understanding the command structure and "soft power" of senior enlisted leaders. 

How respected is a sergeant major?

There are no people in the Army more respected than command sergeant majors. They have worked their way up to the very top of the enlisted ranks.

What rank was Audie Murphy when he won the Medal of Honor?

For these actions, Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor. Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company B 15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Holtzwihr France, 26 January 1945. Citation: Second Lt.

What does a left-handed salute mean?

Saluting with the left hand in the military usually means the right hand is occupied or injured, a necessary exception to the standard right-hand salute, common in Navy/Marine Corps when handling equipment or aircraft, while for others, it's for specific roles (like guidon bearers) or when duty prevents right-hand use, signifying practicality over disrespect, though historically "left" was seen as "sinister".
 

Who is the only 7 star general?

8.0 Introduction. No person have ever been awarded or promoted to a seven-star rank, although some commentators might argue that General George Washington posthumously became a seven-star general in 1976 (see Part Seven).

Can veterans salute without a hat?

Yes, thanks to a 2008 law (NDAA), U.S. veterans not in uniform can render the military salute during flag events like the National Anthem, even without a hat, though removing headwear and placing the hand over the heart is traditional for civilians; the law allows veterans to salute in the same manner as uniformed personnel, showing pride in service. 

What is the rarest rank in the Army?

The rarest rank in the U.S. Army is arguably Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5), as it's the highest technical rank, held by less than 1% of warrant officers who are master-level experts, or ranks that only exist for a single person at a time, like the Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA), a singular position with immense responsibility, or historical/wartime ranks like General of the Armies (six-star), which is rarely bestowed. 

How do you address a Sergeant Major in the Army?

Sergeant majors are normally addressed as "sir" or "ma'am" by subordinates, and as "sergeant major", by their full title (or its abbreviation), or as "Mr" or "Ms" [surname], by superiors. In the British Armed Forces, the plural is sergeant majors and not sergeants major as it is in the United States.

Do you salute a Sergeant Major?

No, you generally do not salute a Sergeant Major (E-9) in the U.S. military because they are enlisted personnel, and salutes are exchanged between enlisted members and commissioned officers, with enlisted members initiating the salute to seniors. You show respect by greeting them verbally (e.g., "Good morning, Sergeant Major") or by calling the room to attention if you are indoors and they enter, but the formal salute is reserved for officers. 

How old are most second lieutenants?

The average age for a U.S. Second Lieutenant (2LT) is typically in their early to mid-20s, most often 23-26, as they're usually recent college graduates from ROTC or academies, but this can vary, with some prior-enlisted officers commissioning in their late 20s or even 30s. The Air Force often sees them at 22-23, while Army figures often mention 23-25 as common. 

Who is the most decorated soldier of all time?

The most decorated soldier in U.S. history is widely considered to be Audie Murphy, a World War II hero who earned every possible U.S. military award for valor, including the Medal of Honor, plus French and Belgian medals, totaling 33 decorations, while also becoming a famous actor after the war. While other soldiers have impressive records, like Colonel Robert Howard with numerous awards including multiple Medals of Honor, Murphy's sheer volume of valor awards makes him the most decorated U.S. soldier.
 

Why did the Marines reject Audie Murphy?

In 1942 at age 17, Audie Murphy tried to join the Marines and the Army paratroopers, but was rejected because he was too short. He did gain entrance into the Army, joining the 15th Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division in North Africa prior to the invasion of Sicily.

Do Medal of Honor winners get paid?

Yes, Medal of Honor recipients receive a special monthly pension, which was significantly increased by a new law in late 2025 to about $5,625 per month (around $67,500 annually), in addition to any regular military retirement or disability pay, along with other benefits like salutes from all ranks and potential academy admission for children.
 

How rare is a sergeant major?

Only one percent of Reserve Soldiers and 0.8 percent of active-duty Soldiers who raise their hands on enlistment day will ever reach the rank of sergeant major or command sergeant major.

What military branch gets the most respect?

While "respect" is subjective, public opinion polls consistently show the Marine Corps is generally seen as the most prestigious and toughest branch, while the Army is often viewed as most important due to its large role in ground combat, though the Air Force was once considered most important. Different branches earn respect for different reasons, like the Marines' elite status, the Air Force's technological prowess, the Navy's global reach, or the Coast Guard's rescue missions, with the Space Force being the newest and least recognized. 

What is the rarest MOS in the Marine Corps?

The rarest Marine Corps MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) varies, but often includes highly specialized roles like 0511 MATTA Planning Specialist (very small numbers for logistics planning), 4133 Community Services (Retail/MCCS) (fewer than 100 enlisted), and specific Reserve roles like 0471 Personnel Retrieval & Processing (PRP) (only one company in Reserves), highlighting niche support and unique operational needs, though Special Operations (like Raiders) are also highly selective and few. 

What rank is a fireman in the Navy?

In the U.S. Navy, Fireman (FN) is a junior enlisted paygrade (E-3) for sailors in engineering or damage control roles, wearing red chevrons, while Fireman Apprentice (FA) is E-2, and both are part of the "seaman" category (E-1 to E-3) before specializing into specific ratings like Engineman or Hull Maintenance Technician. Firemen handle ship maintenance, damage control, and firefighting, learning skills for future specialized ratings.
 

What rank is 20 years in the Army?

After 20 years in the U.S. Army, you'd most likely retire as a Sergeant First Class (E-7), though many can reach Master Sergeant (E-8); however, it's also common to retire at Staff Sergeant (E-6) if promotions stall, while officers often retire as Captains (O-3) or Majors (O-4), depending on their path, with the Army's "up-or-out" system pushing many out if they don't keep advancing, especially past E-6/O-4.