Posted on Mar 24, 2016
Can soldiers in civilian clothes salute a fallen comrade memorial?
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I recently visited the Fallen Warriors Memorial on Cutten Road in Spring, TX. While I was there, I noticed a Veteran wearing a Vietnam hat and although I wanted to walk over to him and shake his hand, I decided to back off as he was paying his respects; however, prior to him leaving he stood in front of the memorial, came to attention and held a salute for a few seconds before bringing it down. So my question is actually coming from me as I've felt compelled to salute as well, but have refrained as I'm not sure what is correct.
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 572
People, as citizens you're the Commander In Chief - you didn't learn about the Chain of Command? You can put on a pink kilt and dance the Black Bottom with appropriate underwear if you think it will amuse your Fallen Comrades. Don't blame me if they get up and ask you to buy beer.
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If there is a regulation then I break it all the time. These are your brothers and sisters who had to pay the ultimate price so that we (current and future veterans) can reap the benefits and enjoy the everyday living. I can't tell anyone what to do however, if I was still in it would be my mission to salute fallen Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, or Airmen for ta few seconds and not care what the punishment (if there is one) would be
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The dictates of my heart, mind and soul moves me to render honor to the fallen and/or the flag whether or not there's any regulation allowing to do so. Period!
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The dictates of my heart, mind, soul and sense of respect for the fallen and/or the flag overrides whether or not there's any regulation "allowing" me permission to render honors.
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The whole point of it, was to render a show of respect. It is really quite simple.
I realize this will probably provoke a number of others but I don’t really care. With that, I shall poke the topic with the stick:
Understandably, new enlisted, due to having it beat into the brain, get the “regulations are now the law of my life”. This makes sense, they are transitioning into a world far more bound by regulations and the consequences of not following them.
And also understandably, as the career progresses, the longer they live in a world tightly bound by regs.
This leads to forgetting a simple fact.
Civilians are not bound by them. Once you get that DD-214 in hand (with limited exceptions, for those ready to pounce lol), you are not bound by them.
I see so many posts about civ/post enlistment themes on the salute, wearing of uniform items, etc.
Guess what..they can so pretty much whatever the little heart desires. Regs do not apply.
Hard concept to wrap the brain around right?
Since regs don’t apply, this simple question solves 90% of these, can/should type situations.
Was he being disrespectful? Of course not. He was honoring the fallen.
This hang up of civilians on when or not when to salute…is idiotic. I have yet so see one do it with a disrespectful intent (although I admit, some asshat out there probably has).
Now, currently enlisted, in civilian clothing…
Yes then a reg applies. And that is not something i am disputing and it should apply. Because you are IN service. But this trying to apply regs to those not in service…
Sigh. Just give it a rest.
I realize this will probably provoke a number of others but I don’t really care. With that, I shall poke the topic with the stick:
Understandably, new enlisted, due to having it beat into the brain, get the “regulations are now the law of my life”. This makes sense, they are transitioning into a world far more bound by regulations and the consequences of not following them.
And also understandably, as the career progresses, the longer they live in a world tightly bound by regs.
This leads to forgetting a simple fact.
Civilians are not bound by them. Once you get that DD-214 in hand (with limited exceptions, for those ready to pounce lol), you are not bound by them.
I see so many posts about civ/post enlistment themes on the salute, wearing of uniform items, etc.
Guess what..they can so pretty much whatever the little heart desires. Regs do not apply.
Hard concept to wrap the brain around right?
Since regs don’t apply, this simple question solves 90% of these, can/should type situations.
Was he being disrespectful? Of course not. He was honoring the fallen.
This hang up of civilians on when or not when to salute…is idiotic. I have yet so see one do it with a disrespectful intent (although I admit, some asshat out there probably has).
Now, currently enlisted, in civilian clothing…
Yes then a reg applies. And that is not something i am disputing and it should apply. Because you are IN service. But this trying to apply regs to those not in service…
Sigh. Just give it a rest.
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The obligation to render proper respect far outweighs the former protocol of having a hat on. Salute smartly and show the proper military customs and courtesies.
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This change adds to a provision which was passed in the 2008 Defense Bill, which authorized veterans and military personnel in civilian clothes to render the military salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag.Jun 5, 2018
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I grew up on military bases around the world, stopping and coming to attention is the norm... at events I stand at attention as well and leave the hand over the heart for the civilians. My Sr. Chief Petty Officer father taught me and my brother how to salute before we left for USN boot camp. It'll be great to do that again now that politicians have blessed the custom.
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