I just one look at my CAC card it my rank is only listed as "LT."
And going across service: My Army buddies inform me that 2LT's don't salute 1LT's. No if, and, or buts. They don't. Yet one is clearly a higher ranking officer.
I think it's only a big deal because certain people make it. And in the Army, there is also a big difference between a 1LT and a 2LT. I think it's just getting blown out of proportion.
If Amn Snuffy see's two LT's not salute each other and it makes that big of an impact on his outlook on military rank and bearing then I think we failed him at a much earlier point.
What about a 1LT and a Captain select? Or two Captains with grossly different dates of rank? Yea, that's really splitting hairs...but while we are paying attention to detail...why not?
Regardless, my $.02.