# What are naval personnel saluting when they board a vessel? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [February 14, 2000, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-naval-personnel-saluting-when-they-board-a-vessel/1677 "2000-02-14T23:42:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![thudain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@thudain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thudain)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2000, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-naval-personnel-saluting-when-they-board-a-vessel/1677/1 "2000-02-14T23:42:00Z")
{from my brother, Commander USN} The actual dialogue coming and going is: “Permission to come aboard sir” (enlisted) OOD: “Granted” OR “I report my return aboard sir” (officer) OOD: “Very well” and “Permission to leave the ship sir” (enlisted) OOD: “Granted” OR “I have permission to leave the ship sir” (officer) OOD: “Very well” Of course the national ensign is not saluted if it’s not flying (e.g. between sunset and sunrise); but the OOD is always saluted. If a senior officer comes aboard, he is “gonged” aboard with the appropriate number of bells (4 to 8 depending on rank), and his command. Examples: “Theodore Roosevelt, arriving!” means Commanding officer, USS Theodore Roosevelt has just come on board (not his own ship) “Theodore Roosevelt, returning!” is used aboard his own ship “Sixth Fleet, arriving!” and “Sixth Fleet, departing!” and eight bells were used every time VADM Pilling came aboard or departed the ship when we were in the Med “Staff, arriving!” was used for CAPT Connell, his chief of staff “Captain, United States Navy, arriving!” is used for an officer of that rank without a command… this is commonly seen at a change of command ceremony, where the officer to be relieved is gonged aboard as “Theodore Roosevelt” e.g., and the officer relieving as “Captain, United States Navy”… after the ceremony of course the titles are reversed “Naval Operations, arriving!” for the CNO, “Navy, arriving!” for the SecNav, “Defense, arriving!” for the SecDef, and of course “United States, arriving!” for the President For any of the above, all hands on the weather decks come to attention and salute. Worth noting, too, that we show exactly the same respect and follow the same protocol for officers of other services, as well asof any other nation with which the US has diplomatic relations. When the senior Russian admiral in the Mediterranean came aboard USS America, he was gonged aboard, all hands saluted him, and all saluted the Russian flag as it was run up the mast and the national anthem was played. Probably more answer than you were looking for! Mike ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2000, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-naval-personnel-saluting-when-they-board-a-vessel/1677/2 "2000-02-15T13:56:00Z")
The article being referenced is: [What are naval personnel saluting when they board a vessel?](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/msalute.html) ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2000, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-naval-personnel-saluting-when-they-board-a-vessel/1677/3 "2000-02-15T16:23:00Z")
Very interesting, Mike! I notice you say “_Worth noting, too, that we show exactly the same respect and follow the same protocol for officers of other services, as well as of any other nation with which the US has diplomatic relations._” Does that mean that if Jacques Chirac came aboard a Navy ship, the announcement would be “France, arriving”? ---
**Author:** ![DAYUIZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c5a1d2/32.png) [@DAYUIZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DAYUIZ)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2000, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-naval-personnel-saluting-when-they-board-a-vessel/1677/4 "2000-03-30T03:46:00Z")
Just want to point out that United States Marines are also held to these rules. The Marine Corps being a department of the Navy, this point is somewhat covered in the answer. However, being a proud Marine myself and loyal reader who feels every article should be as acurate as possible, I felt compeled to point this out. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2000, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-naval-personnel-saluting-when-they-board-a-vessel/1677/5 "2000-04-04T21:45:00Z")
In the Royal Navy you are not merely saluting the OOD ,you are saluting the Monarch whose commission that officer holds.It is a recognition that the OOD directly represents the highest authority. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2000, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-naval-personnel-saluting-when-they-board-a-vessel/1677/6 "2000-04-05T01:44:00Z")
Casdave, Queen Elizabeth is the “highest authority”? Some more points to a subject that’s been covered quite well already: Generally, there is a gangplank up to the quarterdeck (the area where the OOD/JOOD is). At the top of that, you turn and face the flag. This applies to everyone who wants to follow the correct protocol. If you are in uniform, you salute, otherwise you just face it for a second. Of course, submarines are a bit different. When boarding a sub, you will usually find a little booth at the pier end of the gangplank. The petty officer of the watch is stationed there. He’s the person you ask for permission. After getting by him (and he will be male, and he’ll have a gun as well), you stop in the middle of the gangplank for saluting the flag. If any of you ever happen to visit a Naval vessel, knowing this procedure is a good way to start off on the right foot. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2000, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-naval-personnel-saluting-when-they-board-a-vessel/1677/7 "2000-04-05T20:19:00Z")
**Waterj2** Yup ,sure is. Remember that this is all historical. Think about who was the supreme authority when thes traditions were first started. HIJACK ALERT!!! Yes HM QEII **is still** the highest authority. Only she can declare a state of emergency ,dissolve parliament and impose direct rule. The Monarch still holds the post of head of the armed forces.The police swear their loyalty to her ,not to parliamen. Can’t happen? oh yes it can ,a state of emergency was declared during a miners strike 1972 ish. Parliament was dissolved and elections were ordered ,which in turn caused the then Prime Minister to be voted out of office (Edward Heath) After a general election the leader of the largest party is_ **invited** _ to form a government by HM. Who needs a constitution eh? . . . . . . .er !-us actually!!