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It depends on the situation.

In virtually 99% of all cases, the enlisted member salutes the officer first.

However, and though not specifically required by law or military regulation, the only exception is if the enlisted member is a Medal of Honor recipient; in that case, all ranks, junior and senior, are encouraged to salute the MOH recipient first as a matter of respect and courtesy.

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11y ago
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12y ago

Absolutely - a junior always salutes a senior, regardless of who they're with.

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Q: Does an officer or enlisted give the first salute?
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Who was the first enlisted airmen E-4 or below to receive the silver star after the Vietnam war?

Give the American War Library a try.