When meeting an officer in the open, how far away should you be before rendering the hand salute?
FM 22-5 DNC gives the regulation for a hand salute, but the rule of thumb that is taught in basic training, ROTC, and generally used is typically “hearing” distance of the officer–which is defined as no less than a pace and a half or 3 steps; or if you are within the sight of the superior officer. Your question is unclear. If you are meeting the officer in question, then the 1.5 pace rule would apply, however if you’re just going about your business, then, you would salute upon recognition and within a reasonable distance—for examply, if the officer was crossing your path 50 feet ahead of you, it would not be appropriate to salute, but if it were say, 10 or 20 feet….then it would be more than appropriate to do so…
