When armed with a rifle, a salute can be rendered on all occasions EXCEPT what?

A salute with a rifle is typically rendered in a specific manner that adheres to military customs and regulations. The correct answer focuses on the context in which a rifle salute is traditionally performed.

Saluting while armed with a rifle is not compatible with performing a hand salute because the soldier's hands are occupied. The correct procedure when armed requires a different form of salute, often referred to as "present arms," which involves holding the rifle in a position of honor rather than using one's hand.

Conversely, standing at ease, being in ranks, or participating in a formal ceremony allows for the appropriate salute to be rendered, whether it's a rifle salute or a hand salute depending on the situation. Those scenarios do not impede a service member's ability to salute correctly according to established protocols.

Therefore, when armed with a rifle, it is essential to adhere to proper custom, which emphasizes the type of salute that can be rendered based on the equipment you are holding and the formality of the occasion.