Military

[Jane]

I think this is a question for Warph or Jarhead. I see whats his name, O! Obama salute as the bodies of the fallen soliders are brought off the plane. I understand that only people in the military are to salute? Not sure where I heard that.
Jane.

[W. Gray]

The President of the United States is the Commander-in-Chief of military forces.

He salutes.

[jarhead]

Yes he salutes and it looks like someone gave him lessons---finally. Today it was a 'smart " salute. I still cringe when I remember what Slick Willie Clinton thought a salute was.Marines never salute unless they have a cover(hat/cap) on and never wear a cover inside unless they have a duty belt on, therefore they do not salute inside very often. Think the Army rules were differant--Waldo---Varmit ?

[Wilma]

That's interesting.  I didn't know there was etiquette in saluting.  Remember when we saluted the flag?  No, you younguns probably don't remember.

[jarhead]

Wilma, In just the last year or so they passed a law saying if you are a veteran you can salute the flag even while out of uniform-----------BUT---General Conway the Commandant of my beloved Corps issued a statement telling all Marines, past & presant THEY WILL NOT SALUTE THE FLAG IF OUT OF UNIFORM---and trust me, my uniform MIGHT fit my big toe at this time !!!

[W. Gray]

I am scratching my brain, but the Army rules might have been similar. There was indoor saluting when reporting to an officer at his desk. But that seemed to be going out when I was in. There could also be indoor saluting if engaged in a formal ceremony. If in an organized group outside, the OIC or NCOIC saluted for everyone, if under cover. I can recall that some outside areas were designated a "no salute" zone because everyone was distracted from what they were doing by having to stop and salute.

I think every professional soldier in the entire armed services cringed when Bill Clinton first saluted. As I recall his White House military staff gave him lessons, which he was reluctant to receive. I think he gave in after he became aware that his troops in the field were hee-hawing at the commander-in-chief's version of saluting.

But the Clinton's were both anti-military.

There was a Lt. Col. Assigned to the White House under Clinton, who wrote a book about his experiences with both Clintons. Hillary did not want the military in her sight. She also forbid the military staff to appear in uniform while they were on duty in the White House. They had to wear business suits. The Lt. Col. carried the nuclear football and on one occasion Bill Clinton lost his copy of the nuclear codes and they were never found—probably a court martial offense for any man in uniform. Come to think of it, those nuclear codes might have been lost in a blue garment.

He also wrote that Hillary was quite profane at times.

I just looked up the book I am referring to and it is Dereliction of Duty by Lt. Col. Robert Patterson and was written in 2003 or 2004. Written, of course, after he retired. The Clinton's sloughed off everything he had to say. The book is still being sold in hardcover in some places and in softcover on Amazon. I liked the book first from a military point of view, and second from how the Clinton's acted.

[jarhead]

Waldo,
I know if you were walking along on a sidewalk and met an officer, you saluted him but I think a salute is supposed to be rendered from the position of attention only. As a Newby I even saluted a car if it had an officers decal on the bumper and I think that was protocal. When marching as a unit to "salute " you did an "eyes right" and if you had a weapon you did the "present arms" and that was the same as a salute. Does this sound right or is my cheese sliding off it's cracker ?

[Varmit]

I swear, leave it up to a grunt to educate you leathernecks 

Indoor Salute is rendered when reporting to an officer, or during special ceremonies.  A salute is rendered outside when passing an officer, the flag, during reville and taps while facing the flag.  Eyes Right and Present Arms you had correct.  When out of uniform a salute shall not be rendered.

That is all.  Carry on.

[Diane Amberg]

Things have changed then. I remember Al telling about having to salute an officer's car too. Very interesting.

[jarhead]

Oh yea, for the first time I don't wholly agree with Vamit. To set the record straight a grunt is a term used signify one being infantry---and I was !!
With all due respect ,Sir Varmit. I think Army does salute an officer inside even without a cover, but not in my beloved Corps. For example, when I was Sgt of the Guard in Khanehoe Bay, Hawaii. I sit right inside the door at Bn headquarters but wore a cover because I also had on a duty belt. Boo Koo officers entered the building and I would snap to attention, render a salute and say"good morning , Sir. Because they had removed their cover upon entering the building they did not salute back but usually nodded or muttered something back. I also snapped to attenion when the Bn. Sgt Maj entered and ALWAYS said,"Good morning Sgt/ Maj " but that was done just out of respect for anyone that reached the rank of E-9.
The saluteing the flag when out of uniform was just signed into law in the last year, i think. I know a vet can do it now but i don't think it would look right for some old vet with a beer belly to try and render a smart salute every time the colors passed.
I just love it when a Leatherneck can correct a dog faced soldier.
As you were Varmit, stand down !!