Saluting the Ensign First: The Proper Step When Leaving a Ship in Uniform

The moment you step off a ship in uniform isn’t just a routine exit. It’s a living thread of naval tradition, a quick, quiet ceremony that says, in one glance, “I respect the flag, the crew, and the country we serve.” For students in LMHS NJROTC, these moments aren’t merely about rules; they’re about building character, showing steadiness under pressure, and understanding the why behind the how.

What’s the first move you should make when leaving your ship in uniform?

Here’s the thing: the correct first step is to salute the ensign if it is flying. Yes, you heard that right—the national flag, raised on the quarterdeck, gets the first nod of recognition before you do anything else. It’s a small gesture with a big meaning: a salute is a public acknowledgment of the values the flag represents—duty, honor, and service. It places your departure in the same tradition that has guided sailors for generations.

Let’s unpack why this single action matters so much, and how it fits into the rhythm of a ship’s life.

Why the ensign gets the first salute

Imagine the moment as a hinge between two moments of discipline: what you’re leaving behind and what you’re heading toward. The ensign is more than a cloth on a pole; it’s a symbol of the nation you’re sworn to defend. When you raise your hand in salute, you’re not just following a form. You’re publicly recognizing a shared commitment that binds every sailor, every officer, and every cadet together.

If you’re curious about the sequence, here’s the straightforward logic behind it. The quarterdeck is the ship’s front porch—the place where you show your respect, confirm you belong, and receive any final guidance before stepping off. Saluting the ensign first is a way to pause, acknowledge, and align with that shared purpose before you move on to the next steps. It’s a smooth, respectful transition from “onboard” to “ashore” that preserves the ship’s customs and the crew’s cohesion.

What about the other options? A quick tour through them helps anchor why the salute to the ensign comes first.

• Face the OOD, present your ID and salute: Presenting your ID to the Officer of the Deck is important, but it’s typically part of a check-out or check-in, when you’re being accounted for or granted permission to move about. It’s a crucial step, yet not the first step in the leaving sequence. It’s more about accountability and security—things you handle with the OOD after you’ve made the initial show of respect to the flag.

• Step onto the quarterdeck: Stepping onto (or off) the quarterdeck is a natural milestone in the process, but the etiquette primes you for that moment. You salute the ensign first, and then you proceed to the quarterdeck as directed by the ship’s routine.

• Say, “I request permission to go ashore, Sir/Ma’am.”: That phrase signals your intent to leave, but it comes after you’ve given the proper salute. It’s your courtesy check-in to the commanding authority on the deck. Still, the ritual skeleton—saluting the ensign—keeps the flow respectful and orderly.

A practical rhythm you can imagine

Think of leaving the ship in uniform as a mini-drill that tests how calmly you can act under tradition. Here’s a simple mental script you can picture:

• You approach the ensign on the quarterdeck. The flag’s presence reminds you of what you’re leaving behind and what you represent.

• You raise your hand in a crisp salute, with your uniform precise and your gaze forward. The salute is brief but meaningful; it’s your moment to acknowledge the symbol and the people who strive under it.

• After the salute, you pivot toward the quarterdeck door or the path to the gangway. You acknowledge the OOD if required, present your ID when asked, and follow the official flow to request permission to go ashore if that’s part of your departure.

• You step off with the same composure you carried while aboard. The transition isn’t noisy or hurried; it’s quiet, confident, and deliberate.

Maintaining dignity in the moment

For many cadets, the instinct is to move quickly or to focus on the mechanics—“Did I salute properly? Did I face the right direction?” That’s natural, but the real strength comes from the sense of calm you bring to the moment. The salute isn’t about perfection or a flawless mirror of a manual; it’s about showing you care enough to honor the tradition. It’s a small act that quietly communicates discipline, attention to detail, and respect for the authority that stands behind the flag.

Where this fits into the broader ship culture

Naval customs aren’t just old-fashioned rituals kept for their own sake. They’re practical ways to keep a diverse group aligned, focused, and mutually respectful. In a crew—whether in a full-time navy or a high school NJROTC unit—you’ll see that strong traditions aren’t barriers; they’re the rhythm that makes teamwork possible. Saluting the ensign reinforces:

• Mutual respect: Every member, from the newest recruit to the most senior officer, stands within a shared framework.

• Personal responsibility: The salute signals that you’re ready to step into your role and your duties, whether you’re heading ashore or returning to the ship.

• Continuity and pride: Traditions connect the present moment to a long line of sailors who stood on that same deck, with the same flag waving above them.

A quick note on variations

Naval customs can vary by country, fleet, or local command. The core idea—honoring the flag first when departing in uniform—remains a common thread in many navies. If you’re part of a specific unit or class, you’ll get the precise, current guidance from your instructors or the ship’s magistrate of discipline. The spirit doesn’t change: show respect first, then follow the established flow.

Tips that help in the real world

• Visualize the moment: Before you come to the quarterdeck, picture the flag and the salute. A mental rehearsal reduces nerves and helps you perform smoothly.

• Keep the salute crisp: A clean, decisive movement matters more than how long you hold it. It should be quick, respectful, and intentional.

• Mind the small details: Uniform neatness, hair, posture, and attention to the flag all contribute to how your gesture is read.

• Adapt to the situation: If the flag isn’t flying, you still show courtesy to the ship and crew in other appropriate ways, but the formal salute to the ensign ends up being skipped for that moment.

• Practice; don’t panic: Use drill days as opportunities to build familiarity, not as moments to chase perfection. The more you practice within a supportive environment, the more natural it becomes.

A nod to the broader life lessons

This simple act—saluting the ensign—carries over into more than just ship life. It’s a reminder that leadership isn’t only about the loudest command or the sharpest punchline; it’s about showing up with respect, doing the right thing even when no one is watching, and treating others with courtesy. In a classroom, on campus, or during a community project, that same attitude can be a quiet anchor—helping you navigate stress, work effectively with teammates, and earn trust through consistency.

Relatable moments, small, meaningful wins

Maybe you’ve stood at the railing on a calm morning, the flag fluttering softly above the deck, and felt a surge of responsibility that wasn’t there yesterday. That moment is a teacher of sorts, reminding you that you’re part of something bigger. It’s easy to shrug off rituals as old-fashioned or ceremonial, but the truth is they’re ways to translate intention into action—every single time you step off the ship in uniform.

If you’re guiding a new member of your squad, this is a good teaching beat: demonstrate the salute to the ensign with clarity, then walk through the sequence in a spare, concrete way. Let them hear the rationale—why that first gesture matters—and let them feel the confidence that comes from doing it with purpose.

The simple, steady rule to remember

When leaving the ship in uniform, salute the ensign if it is flying. It’s a straightforward rule that frames the rest of the departure with respect and tradition. It’s not just about following orders; it’s about carrying forward a legacy of discipline and pride that every sailor and every cadet shares.

In the end, the form serves the function. A momentary salute anchors the whole transition—from the ship’s safe, structured life to the wider world beyond the gangway. And who knows? That small, deliberate gesture might be the moment you feel most connected to the men and women who came before you, and the ones you’ll one day lead.

So next time you stand on the quarterdeck and the ensign’s flutter catches your eye, lift your hand not as a formality, but as a personal pledge: I respect what this flag stands for, and I’m ready to represent it with integrity. That’s the kind of habit that sticks—and, frankly, it’s the kind of habit that makes you proud to wear the uniform.