Receiving my direct commission as a civilian (14+ yrs prior service w/ 2 yr break), is it still appropriate to do the "silver dollar salute"?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 15:12:01 -0400

I'm about to be direct commissioned into the Army's Medical Service Corps. I have more than 14 yrs of prior service, but I took a 2 yr break to finish the courses I needed to apply to the program. I've always liked the tradition of the "silver dollar salute" and I would like to my brother to be on the other end of the salute,however, I'll be in civies so is it still appropriate to render a salute?

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 3:18 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 15:18:51 -0400

I think you should be in uniform when the silver dollar salute (first salute as an officer) is rendered.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 3:22 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 15:22:10 -0400

I just received a silver dollar from one of my NCOs that commissioned. Some of the enlisted that saluted were retired and in civilian clothes. Are you participating in a commissioning ceremony? If so, ask the SMI if it's appropriate. If you just want to give your brother the silver dollar, have your own ceremony with family.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 3:24 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 15:24:21 -0400

Bought my XO's first salute when she got back from BOLC.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made May 24 at 2016 3:48 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Tue, 24 May 2016 15:48:29 -0400

I believe it is appropriate.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made May 24 at 2016 4:25 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Tue, 24 May 2016 16:25:56 -0400

Why wont you be in a uniform? Considering this is your commissioning moment.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 4:46 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 16:46:25 -0400

I graduated from OTS at Lackland AFB. There was a rather long line of willing people waiting to collect. I didn't know any of them.

Response by MAJ Jeff Coulter made May 24 at 2016 4:55 PM

MAJ Jeff Coulter — Tue, 24 May 2016 16:55:23 -0400

For an informal ceremony such as the one you describe, it would not be inappropriate to be saluted in civilian clothes and the first salute always merits the silver dollar!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 5:11 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 17:11:18 -0400

Yes sir! You are going to make someone feel pretty special when you choose them as your first!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 5:26 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 17:26:08 -0400

It sounds like you haven't purchased ASUs yet, which will be required (even if rarely worn). I'd suggest biting the bullet and get sworn in uniform. If you share your size, there may be a few on RallyPoint with a set that "shrunk in the closet" and might be available 2nd Lieutenant cheap.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 5:34 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 17:34:54 -0400

Although saluting the flag while in civilian clothing is appropriate, your commissioning ceremony is formal and earns the respect of being in uniform. As you will need to buy your uniform anyway, I recommend the following:

1. Get a haircut and a shave!
2. Get a uniform
3. If your recruiter is an officer, please ask him for an introduction to his/her Senior NCO
4. Prior to your commissioning ceremony, present yourself to the Senior NCO for corrections
5. Attend the ceremony with the grace and dignity you learned as an NCO
6. Pay for your first salute with a silver dollar (you can find one on Ebay for about $20)

Finally, I went through this same ceremony as an NCO. I attended the commissioning board as an NCO and left the board as an officer. When I returned to my unit (an NCO Academy) to out-process and render my first salute, my fellow NCO instructors accepted my salute and I passed out 6 silver dollars. Welcome to the Medical Service Corps. Feel free to stay in touch, if you would like a retired MSC as a mentor.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 5:47 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 17:47:34 -0400

That is a special moment of respect between 2 Soldiers. I believe it is appropriate.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 6:49 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 18:49:00 -0400

Yup!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 7:22 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 19:22:07 -0400

If it was me, I would do the silver dollar and all.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 8:28 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 20:28:33 -0400

Take your oath of commission in uniform and provide a silver dollar for your first salute.

Response by CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols made May 24 at 2016 8:38 PM

CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols — Tue, 24 May 2016 20:38:01 -0400

Absolutely shipmate and congrats! Bravo Zulu...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 9:14 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 21:14:22 -0400

I say absolutely. For something as significant as commissioning, I say go all in. I've only been in for a year but I have no doubt I'll continue to remember my ceremony (oath, pinning, first salute) crystal clear till the day I take off the boots.

Response by MAJ Scott Meehan made May 24 at 2016 9:27 PM

MAJ Scott Meehan — Tue, 24 May 2016 21:27:35 -0400

Yes!

Response by SSG Phillip Bliss made May 24 at 2016 9:29 PM

SSG Phillip Bliss — Tue, 24 May 2016 21:29:15 -0400

Heck yeah! Whip that salute out, you earned it. You'll be an officer and known to the person (your brother) as an officer, we salute in civilians all the time and in Korea it was even 'required'. The 'silver dollar salute' isn't an official 'event' and as such can be improvised as you see fit.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 25 at 2016 12:37 AM

COL Charles Williams — Wed, 25 May 2016 00:37:33 -0400

I say yes. You are still being commissioned.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2016 5:22 AM

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 May 2016 05:22:28 -0400

yes

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2016 8:27 AM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 May 2016 08:27:33 -0400

Not necessarily

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2016 8:47 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 May 2016 08:47:53 -0400

I would say go ahead and buy the ASU for your ceremony. You will have to bring the uniform with you to BOLC for functions regardless. Not sure when your BOLC date is but most likely its going be within the next year of your commissioning. So if it's something your absolutely going to have to do then you should for the ceremony.

Response by Col Rebecca Lorraine made May 25 at 2016 11:22 AM

Col Rebecca Lorraine — Wed, 25 May 2016 11:22:43 -0400

Congratulations! Good work, keep going!

Response by CDR Terry Boles made May 25 at 2016 3:56 PM

CDR Terry Boles — Wed, 25 May 2016 15:56:56 -0400

Congratulations.

I still remember my first salute as a 2nd Lt in uniform and it happen to be to by a senior AF NCO.

He was not aware of the silver dollar tradition, and while explaining it and that I was prior enlisted I noticed his back began to be a little stiffer and his final salute impeccable. Seems like it was only yesterday. This experience will remain with you the rest of your life.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2016 8:13 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 May 2016 20:13:29 -0400

Tradition and respect never go out of style

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2016 3:49 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 May 2016 15:49:32 -0400

Agree with the the responses to get a uniform and do the ceremony in it. If you're going to lead you need to start doing it from day one. Officers don't make excuses as to why they aren't compliant. You need to set the standard. As such eyes will always be on you to do the right thing. Set the example on day one