Can enlisted veterans render a first salute to a new officer?

2020-08-08T12:47:51-04:00

I am a prior service Marine currently attending Navy OCS.
I had a Sergeant in the Marines that was pretty much my mentor when I was a junior. We deployed together and later on he became one of my greatest friends in the Marines. He is now going to school to become a doctor and no longer serving on active duty or in the reserves.
Can I still ask him to render me my first salute? Would he be required (or even allowed) to wear his old uniform for the ceremony? (Assuming it still fits xD)

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2020 12:55 PM

2020-08-08T12:55:40-04:00

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/772

10 U.S. Code § 772 - When wearing by persons not on active duty authorized

June 3, 1916, ch. 134, §12 (words before 4th semicolon, and words after 7th semicolon, of 1st proviso of 1st par.; and last proviso of last par.), 39 Stat. 216; July 9, 1918, ch. 143, subch. XVII, §10 (last proviso), 40 Stat. 892; June 4, 1920, ch. 228, §8, 41 Stat. 836; June 6, 1942, ch. 382, 56 Stat. 328; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, §15(b) (last proviso), 63 Stat. 91; July 6, 1953, ch. 180, §1, 67 Stat. 140.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2020 12:56 PM

2020-08-08T12:56:55-04:00

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section772&num=0&edition=prelim

view.xhtml

(a) A member of the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard may wear the uniform prescribed for the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, as the case may be.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2020 1:03 PM

2020-08-08T13:03:01-04:00

I believe it can be a retired enlisted family member that can give the silver salute. But I’m not sure how the command would feel about a non retired veteran. Maybe ask if they would allow it.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2020 2:35 PM

2020-08-08T14:35:01-04:00

The best people to ask are your cadre but if it’s anything like Army ROTC commissioning at my alma mater it would be acceptable. One new 2LT received her first salute from her CW3 father.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 8 at 2020 3:27 PM

2020-08-08T15:27:02-04:00

If the command has no issue it should not be a problem. It must be the dress uniform, and while grooming standards cannot be enforced, it is highly recommended that all who wear the uniform comply with that services grooming standards, hair, mustache, etc.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2020 4:16 PM

2020-08-08T16:16:21-04:00

Yes it’s your ceremony. I had a retired master sgt from the Air Force I worked with and respected give me my first salute as an officer.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Aug 8 at 2020 10:47 PM

2020-08-08T22:47:43-04:00

Yes he certainly can. You as the new officer can have any enlisted veteran do it.

Response by SSG Ray Elliott made Feb 28 at 2022 8:42 PM

2022-02-28T20:42:05-05:00

I was a grey area reservist, and got my dress blues out of mothballs and gave my son his first salute when he was commissioned.

Response by SGT Jeff Everhart made May 21 at 2022 1:24 AM

2022-05-21T01:24:48-04:00

Yes, it's a sign of respect!

Response by SP6 Vincent Ramsey made Jan 15 at 2024 11:00 AM

2024-01-15T11:00:13-05:00

Yes, he can do it.