When to salute?

[renfield]

I want to say up front that I have never been in the service so I may not know what I am "talking" about. I just saw a story on the net about an uniformed airman who escorted his sister to her high school prom. He was in full dress uniform and snapped a salute as she walked into the school. What????? I know that enlisted and nco's salute officers and officers salute each other according to rank. I thought it was a sign of respect for the person or uniform. It just seemed to degrade the importance of this tradition. I see service men and women use the same salute to honor our war dead and veterans of past service, but an 18 year old girl going to a dance?

Steve

[Jack's Son]

This was our last visit to this topic, it was titled "When NOT to salute" http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/172598-when-not-to-salute/?hl=%2Bwhen+%2Bsalute

 

[RedLegGI]

I want to say up front that I have never been in the service so I may not know what I am "talking" about. I just saw a story on the net about an uniformed airman who escorted his sister to her high school prom. He was in full dress uniform and snapped a salute as she walked into the school. What????? I know that enlisted and nco's salute officers and officers salute each other according to rank. I thought it was a sign of respect for the person or uniform. It just seemed to degrade the importance of this tradition. I see service men and women use the same salute to honor our war dead and veterans of past service, but an 18 year old girl going to a dance?

Steve

 

It is 100% a show of respect from one service member to another. While almost exclusively done for officers, there are a few rare occasions where you may be required to salute an NCO (read VERY rare). As per your take on it, I see it in a similar light to the way you do. While I can understand why he did it, its not proper.

[Jack's Son]

Personally, I think he can be forgiven for a nice courtesy he gave his sister.

[TRR]

Yup, he just got back so I would give him a pass for it. Sure beats seeing a senior drunk at applebees in ACUs (story for another day).

[CHASEUSA11B]

I don't know anything about the incident in question but I'm guessing he is a new Airman who is possibly fresh out of Basic training. If this is case he probably doesn't understand the purpose/significance of a salute and was just trying to make his sister's dance memorable. When I graduated high school I remember a couple of guys who had enlisted gave a salute when they received their diplomas. It was wrong for them to do it but it was harmless and more than a few of us rolled our eyes.

 

I definitely see where you are coming from on this one, a salute should be reserved as a sign of respect and a military courtesy but I think he was well intentioned and no harm done. I also have a feeling this Airman probably got some ribbing from his military buddies when they saw the story.

[renfield]

I guess I did not read far enough into the article. I did not know he just got back from a deployment. Hard for me to judge a young man who has been away from his home and family.

Steve

[Sabrejet]

What's the protocol regarding American presidents returning the salutes of their military honor guards? I often see them do this when they get on/off the Presidential helicopter on the White House lawn. Is it because they are technically "Commanders-in-Chief, even though they aren't in uniform?

[vostoktrading]

I seem to remember it was Ronald Reagan that started that, at least as a regular thing.

I don't know if they are supposed to or not but who is going to tell the Prez "you're not supposed to do that, sir"!

[TRR]

He is the CIC, so yes he is due a salute and required to return a salute despite what clothing he is in. It would be no different then saluting a MOH recipient that is in civilian clothes. It is a sign of respect.

[rr01]

The president is NOT required to return any hand salute, or one with a cannon for that matter. The regs prescribe when hand salutes MUST be rendered but when one chooses to salute otherwise is entirely an individual choice. I have been reminded repeatedly that when I'm in uniform I am not required to salute Civil Air Patrol officers which is true but in the end it is My salute to render how I choose.

[RedLegGI]

I don't care which president would have done this, but its really a great disrespect here

 

 

[Jack's Son]

I don't care which president would have done this, but its really a great disrespect

 

I have always wondered what the protocol is in a situation like this, perhaps minus the cell phone would have been better?

[rr01]

I have always wondered what the protocol is in a situation like this, perhaps minus the cell phone would have been better?

 

I don't care which president would have done this, but its really a great disrespect here

 

 

 

Perhaps there should be an indoctrination into military protocal along with which fork to use when these guys move in.

[RedLegGI]

I have always wondered what the protocol is in a situation like this, perhaps minus the cell phone would have been better?

 

The cell phone needed to be put at his side, salute, then return the phone to his ear. Its almost as if he couldn't be bothered and it was *something* he *had* to do. Again, doesn't matter which president, but as a matter of respect return a proper salute.

[John F.]

 

...While almost exclusively done for officers, there are a few rare occasions where you may be required to salute an NCO (read VERY rare).

 

It's not as rare as you think and happens almost every morning in the US Army during the first (accountability) formation. When the First Sergeant (1SG) issue the command to “Receive the Report”, the Platoon Sergeants (PSG) issue the command "Report" to the squad leaders (SL). The SL salutes the PSG and give an accountability status for each man in the squad ie...“all present”. After receiving the platoon's report the PSG salutes the Company SG and issues the report.

[RedLegGI]

 

It's not as rare as you think and happens almost every morning in the US Army during the first (accountability) formation. When the First Sergeant (1SG) issue the command to “Receive the Report”, the Platoon Sergeants (PSG) issue the command "Report" to the squad leaders (SL). The SL salutes the PSG and give an accountability status for each man in the squad ie...“all present”. After receiving the platoon's report the PSG salutes the Company SG and issues the report.

 

Very true and I had forgotten about that. I had that happen daily for years and it slipped my mind.

[quack]

In my opinion, the military salute is simply a military sign of respect. Nothing in Army regulations says anything about it, except for who and when you MUST salute, and how you do it. There are no limitations as to to whom it can be rendered. It can be rendered by any service member to anyone he wishes to so honor. It's simply a military version of the old civilian "tipping the hat" (which isn't done much anymore).

 

I see nothing wrong with the Airman saluting his sister.

[ColBob506]

Your writing on the subject is rather vague, but when I went to school, just before entering the door.....there was an American flag!

[Jack's Son]

ColBob..........How i wish for those days!!

[blitz67]

Quack is correct, a salute can be given to anyone you wish who is in uniform or out of uniform. Enlisted can even salute enlisted, its all about respect. When passing a woman it is customary to render a salute if you are in uniform. Only officers and Medal of Honor Recipients MUST be saluted. The Airman was correct in his salute and didn't break any rules of protocol.

 

Brad

[tw5270]

Your writing on the subject is rather vague, but when I went to school, just before entering the door.....there was an American flag!

 

This^ So many forget we salute any uncased Flag.

[Cpt.Mathis]

There are examples of Junior Enlisted personnel receiving the first salute... however they must be a Medal of Honor recipient. They ALWAYS get the first salute, no matter who is saluting.

[Cpt.Mathis]

Perhaps some history on the salute; it originates in a time when a knights loyalty lies to his kingdom or duke or something, instead of a country. If he were passed by a friendly knight (whom he would recognize by the distinctive emblem he wears) he would raise his visor and salute with his right hand, or sword hand, (this can also partially explain why the junior member walk to the seniors left, as he could easily protect the junior), this tradition went far beyond into gunpowder when swords were becoming obsolete. It is a sign of respect from both parties. The junior for rank, the senior as a recognition as a valuable member of a team.