Coolguye posted:

Magnetic North posted:

Why do they always say that when I enter a room? I'd imagine it's because they want to 'look alive' and all that, but they know I couldn't tell the difference.

Even I know that one. You're always supposed to be ready to receive an order when an officer comes on deck, and toward that end they announce when the boss comes in to make sure you're paying attention. On top of that, if you're not actively working at a station you're supposed to face the officer until he leaves or orders you back to as you were.

There was a minor to-do about this during Clinton's presidency, when one of his Marine bodyguards properly saluted the President, but then turned away while they were on camera. Clinton didn't notice or care, but it played badly among some veterans. Marines mostly follow Navy traditions and there's no officer higher than the President, so there was some chittering about whether or not the Marine was intentionally showing a lack of respect by not following the tradition.