Posted on Apr 26, 2014
SGT Enlisted Management Branch Nco
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Just recently, I visited the WWII memorial with my fiancé in Pittsburgh. We both serve. He is active duty and I a m a reservist. The respect I have for those who served before me is beyond words. When I see these names on the memorials, my heart begins to well up. These men and women paid the ultimate sacrifice. I couldn't help but salute Old Glory and the names of the fallen out of respect. My fiancé snapped a photo of the moment. I had a former marine tell me "since when do we salute when not in uniform"

You can imagine I was furious. Correct me if I'm wrong , but I can salute Old Glory and honor the fallen anytime I want. I'm a soldier in civilians and in uniform. 24/7. I need some back up here. I will continue to show respect until the day I die.

What did I miss here? Someone explain to me what is wrong about that?
Posted in these groups: Female officer saluting SalutingPolicy Policy
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LTC Operations Officer (Opso)
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Personally just me talking here, heck with what others say. You are in civilians and you want to honor the fallen then do it. Saluting is a great tradition and sign of respect from long time ago, with no exact origin being know, but universally is shown as a sign of respect. We can never pay too much respect to our fallen comrades. In recent years we have seen military personnel charged with the solemn duty of honoring our fallen failing their duties and acting distaste and disgraceful. I am glad to see that we still have Soldiers like you that know the true meaning of respect and want to honor our fallen.
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SGT John Phillips
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You can salute when not in Uniform. Two links one from the DoD, and one from the VA. It's been a law since 2009.


http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51859


http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1609
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MSG Jose Colon
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The right answer to that one is the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 allows it, even if you are a civilian.
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LTC Operations Officer (Opso)
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MSG,

Was that only for the playing on national anthem though?
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Saluting Old Glory and the Fallen in Civilians
MAJ Deputy Director, Combat Casualty Care Research Program
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Edited 10 y ago
Every baseball game I've ever been to, I've seen vets salute during the anthem. I see no issues with this. Since when do customs prevent people from showing respect?

I should add - I've stood in the line and saluted the bodies of the fallen when they left the combat hospital. If I can salute downrange, I will salute here.
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SGT Enlisted Management Branch Nco
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Agreed sir.
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LTC Operations Officer (Opso)
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Sir,

Congress changed the law to allow all veterans and military personnel in civilian clothes to salute during the national anthem. This went into effect in on October 14, 2008.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/a/salutechange.htm
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SGT Project Engineer
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I know it is answered a hundred times - but just for easy reference.
Veterans salute the flag Section 301(b)(1) of title 36, United States Code, subparagraph (B).
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CPT Assistant Operations Officer (S3)
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You bring up a very good question but there is something in addition that was not brought up yet. You are a reservist. I am in the Guard. When we are not on duty we don't fall under regulations technically since we are in our civilian capacity. For this reason we don't fall under UCMJ when not drilling. This is not the same when you are on duty or in uniform. Active duty don't get this ability to take on a civilian status. So in theory you can do what you want to be void of regs while you in your civilian status.
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1SG Corrections Officer
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Id like to see him say that to the Old Vets who still stand and Salute Old Glory while most just sit there. Gotta love Jarheads
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CW5 Michael Scheller
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There was a change to US law in 2008 which regulations are slow to follow. Veterans and Service Members in uniform or not may salute. http://www.flagsbay.com/flag/2008/10/20/veterans-salute-the-flag-clarifying-the-change-in-the-us-code/
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MAJ Senior Signal Oc
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You could look at customs and curtsies you are not supposed to salute in civilian attire. At most you are supposed to place your right hand over your heart. I have been known to give the flag a salute the first time I see it in the morning.

http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/army_board_study_guide_topics/flags/courtesies-rendered-by-individuals-during-various-ceremonies-and-public-events.shtml
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MAJ Deputy Director, Combat Casualty Care Research Program
MAJ (Join to see)
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SPC Manaco - We lined up in the hallway to salute the fallen in Afghanistan. Never feel worried or ashamed or bothered by regs when you honor the fallen. Just go with your heart and anybody correcting you should be ashamed.
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SSG Squad Leader
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If somebody was to reprimand you for saluting the flag/honoring the fallen in civilians for the sake of "enforcing the standard"; then they should enforce every single one. You can't pick and choose which to enforce.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
10 y
Really, it takes an act of congress to allow veterans to salute the flag?
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TSgt Scott Hurley
TSgt Scott Hurley
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Before that it was an executive order from President Bush. That just made it official. Of course from what I have read, the Navy and Marines were not to happy about this.
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