Does a retiree return a salute when entering a military base?

If I receive a salute, like you, I will return it as respect.

A properly rendered salute should always be promptly returned.

It is a very old and honored custom to do so and would be rude not to do so.

If a salute is rendered, it should be returned.

I still salute officers.

Chesty Puller once told one of his young lieutenants that every salute must be returned, after he observed the young lieutenant making a enlisted Marine practice his salutes for not saluting said lieutenant. If it's good enough for Chesty, it's good enough for me.

I do not know the validity of this, but a Master Chief told me that if you salute an enlisted man you wait for the returned salute - likewise, if you ever receive a salute, you return it. It's a sign of respect - even if the salute is not warranted.

I think once you are out of any branch if you return the salute it should be optional because your are out of the service but also to return the salute is good for respect in my opinion

I would just give a proper greeting of the day. There is no need to get crazy and start developing a drill manual for 1st Civ Div

Yes