What action follows after requesting permission to board a ship?

After requesting permission to board a ship, an officer is expected to face the aft and salute the national ensign, which is flown from the ship's stern. This action demonstrates respect for the flag and acknowledges the authority of the ship. The salute is a traditional maritime custom that reinforces military decorum and is a critical aspect of shipboard protocol.

Saluting the flag is particularly significant in naval operations as it symbolizes loyalty and respect for the nation represented by the ship. Upon arriving at a ship, it is customary to request permission to board to ensure that the officer of the deck is aware of your presence and to maintain security protocols.

The other actions, while important in their own right, do not follow directly after the permission to board. Saluting the officer of the deck may occur as part of the boarding process, but it is not the immediate next step. Stepping onto the gangway indicates entering the ship but does not follow the salute to the flag, and taking note of the ship's assignments is typically done once aboard and should not take precedence over established customs.