Yelled at by an officer...(read)?

So yesterday I had my Army rsp drills (national guard) and I was walking through the hallway to go to the main floor and the other unit that shares the armory was drilling at the same time so there CoC was there and anyways there was an officer (2nd Lt? he had a gold bar) and a NCO talking in the narrow hallway so I walked inbetween them since as I approached neither moved and I had to get by, and as soon as I walked by (without saying anything) the NCO said really loudly UNBELIEVABLE! Not even an excuse me sir? And then the officer just kept saying unbelievable really loudly as I walked down the hall away from them.
Now my question is this...I was not in uniform, I haven't even shipped to basic yet, I did not recognize either of their ranks until I was walking by, I was minding my own business passing through to get to where I needed to be and not bother anyone. The two that were talking were in the other unit that is not RSP affiliated so is that why they yelled at me!? I meant
Additional Details
absolutely no disrespect to either and am not familiar with the customs and courtesys i was nervous and just wanted to get through to where i needed to be and the one yelled make a hole when i walked by? i am confused by that to...do you think they figured i was a regular soldier whose already mos-q and was in that unit? im so confused as to why they yelled at me. could someone tell me whats going on was i in the wrong or were they just looking for someone to pick on?

Shock and Awe

Well normal courtesy dictates anywhere you should just had said, "Excuse me gentlemen" and walked through. The NCO figured you were a junior enlisted or a DEP by your demeander and the officer was echoing his shock.

Just remember it is so much a rank thing as a polite thing to walk between to people talking without saying anything. Especially if they outrank you. I am an E7, SFC and I would say 'excuse me' or 'coming through'.

Don't sweat it, your going to crap bricks if this shook you up now before Basic. Get a thick skin now.

And those two just could have been azzholes too. lol

ProUSA2

Most people (me included) would say "excuse me" as a common courtesy...whether they were military or not.

mevadus

You should have said, "excuse me" whether they were officers, ncos, or persons in civis.

i got a plan!

Dont worry about it. You did walk in "between" them, could've said "excuse me". But thats no big deal. Some officers come from very disciplined military fams. Everyone is raised differently. Its just you'll know what to do next time.

uncledjm14

Common courtesy would have been to simply say "pardon me" , or " excuse me gentlemen" and I'm sure it wouldn't have been seen as an offense. This applies to everyday society, when passing between two people conversing, or, for example, when passing in front of someone who's perusing items in a store. I'm sure the military has more strict protocols, but courtesy is always a good idea. Someone smarter than me once said courtesy is the grease that allows the machinery of society to work.

~David~

I agree with mevadus (1st answer)

granddad1070@sbcglobal.net

Learn from your mistake.

mariner31

Others have covered it pretty well... Courtesies and Customs dictate you excuse yourself. You didn't know, but now you do. I wouldn't consider that you were YELLED at... that was merely a Senior NCO and Officer form of "mumbling under their breath" !!

You didn't know, but I guarantee you that after 4-8 years of service it will be SO engrained into you it will become automatic.

Just FYI, if you run into a Navy or Marine Officer the term would be "By Your Leave Sir"... used when passing between or overtaking.

I STILL do it on the streets in civies TO older civilians... just a courtesy. The world could use more of it.

Shawn T

Once you get to basic training and later in your career you will become familiar with what's called the "greeting of the day". This greeting is just a way of acknowleging there existance in the world. However this greeting is not required while out of uniform. Being an NCO myself I would tell you that it's just good manners to excuse yourself when passing between two persons while they are conversing. However again not required. The down side to this is you mentioned national guard. My experience is the national guard generally turns good soldiers into uptight, non-caring, and overall poor leaders. This is most commonly due to their lack of true leadership training, supervision, and overall leadership abilities (with regards to those leaders who spend their entire career with the national guard). Just watch yourself and try to NOT become like that later in your career when you someday you'll be a leader. Good luck!

Bill C

I agree, you say excuse me when you walk between people be they in the military or a civilian. It's called common courtesy!

tgpii

At RSP you are either a recruit or a private. Each one is different. You don't have uniform at your RSP? Well you should have said excuse me, that's is common courtesy. That not even military related. If there is an officer and an NCO you should say sir. I am a SPC and been a recruit and cadre at RSP. I just tell them to call me SPC then my name. It is funny at RSP they go at ease(spelled) I go look I am an e-4 relax.

U P

Please dont get up tight about that!! I am pretty sure there will be plenty more times you are actually stopped for not saluting or greeting an officer, although a guick excuse me, probably would have not caused such a scene either. just get your rank structures down and you will be ok. Some people love to be heard, then seen. You will find that out soon. take care and good luck in the future!!!

Striker

Just learn from your mistake and yeah the 2nd lt did kinda overreact but it's okay he's a butterbar and needs everyone to know just whose in charge lol. He has most certainly screwed up too, everyone does at some point or another. What sets you apart is if you learn from it. Just drive on and do the right thing next time.

donall520

And if the other answers are not sufficient, you should inform your superiors that you will tell your mother if their behavior does not improve.

Zerrah

Maybe they knew you were new and wanted to make things harder for you. Although you probably should have said, "Excuse me." : )

Buckeye Bill

"bye your leave sir" and that's that. It shows that their leadership skills needs honed. Thanks for your service. Good luck.

Tux

You should have bend down while saying excuse me. When there is only on officer you should sidestep or salute and greet them. Remember you must always Obey, Obey, Obey. "never say no, never give an alibi, OBEY first before you complain."

Matt E

Some people need to get off their high horses. As a 2Lt, I'm sure he has screwed up quite a few times, and continues to do so.

He is probably trying to make sure everyone knows he's in charge.

Now, should you have said excuse me Sir.. Yes, but as you are not accustomed to the Customs and Courtesies in the military yet, don't worry about. Were they in a training environment that maybe their "pissed off factor" was at a high?

But no.. my experience, as an officer and former 2Lt is that some try to overcompensate, and some military feel everyone they see on base knows their personal rules.

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