Originally Posted by
Pontius Navigator
We were taught to salute the wife of a senior officer when calling as an acknowledgement of her husband's commission and by extension as stated above.
I’m sorry PN, whoever taught you that was an arse. And probably under the thumb at home from a dragon who wore her husband’s rank with more authority than he did.
Unless the wife falls into any of the categories already described, and ladies are an almost endangered species these days, I simply don’t see how she would warrant a salute. Wife isn’t an appointment and any authority at home stays there. Wives insisting on being saluted is up there with civil servant claiming to be ‘a wing commander equivalent’.
As for thanking someone after a salute, that too is a no-no given that the rank and what it represents is being saluted not the individual. To thank someone suggests otherwise, and a simply ‘good morning/afternoon/ hello mate’ is all that is required.