If you are not sure whether someone is an officer, you should:

• A. Greet him or her
• B. Salute him or her
• C. Ignore them
• D. Speak to them politely

Answer: (B)

Saluting is the proper sign of respect for commissioned officers, and when you’re unsure of someone’s rank you should salute to follow the standard naval courtesy. It shows discipline and recognition of potential officer status, and it avoids risking disrespect by assuming they aren’t an officer. A simple greeting or polite talk doesn’t acknowledge rank in the formal way saluting does, and ignoring someone is not acceptable behavior. If you salute and it turns out they aren’t an officer, you’ve still shown courtesy; if they are, you’ve correctly shown respect.