Saluting retired officers (at the gates)...some do it and some don't. Is there something in writing?

Customs and courtesies are just that. And should be followed, nothing difficult or demanding about it. Showing respect goes a long way.

It's a sign of respect that all military service member know and practice. The ones who fail to do so are a disgrace to the uniform.

Military customs and traditions state that we are to salute all standards. Since some bases still use decals, they are considered standards, active, reserve, guard or retired, their decal is blue and we salute. When I was working base security in Lemoore, I salute all offices and called them by rank even if retired

SSgt Dan Montague, your are absolutely correct. A military person is military for life, this is something that ever goes away from a person and should always be repeated when possible. Remember, the military makes men and women out of young boys and girls.

A retired officer is still in the service in a retired status. We are still referred to by rank in military settings. In fact retirees are actually in a retainer status until 60 yrs old. And while this may sound a bit “lifer-ish”, if upon showing my I.D card and I don’t receive a salute by guard who is a service member, it will be appropriately questioned. A lot has been done to ensure retirees know they are still part of the force though not “active.” In fact a retiree receiving pay is still subject to recall for court-martial and loss of benefits. Even a conviction of a serious felony in a civilian court will result in loss because one is no longer eligible for recall if for no other reason than no longer qualified for a security clearance. A reservist retiree without pay until 60 will also lose out if convicted of a serious felony as they too lose their security clearance eligibility. Note—eligibility is the operative term as we no longer hold one the day we retire. Officers are required to be qualified for a secret clearance or we are worthless...though some of us with clearance are anyway.

When I go on Dobbins Air Force base, I always get a salute from the airman manning the gate. My IS card identifies me as retired. As a retired officer, I always salute them and tell them to keep up the great job. I always get a thank you from the guards.

As a former MP and standing more gates than I what to count, I have always saluted a blue sticker or if I had the slightest thought the vehicle diver was an officer retired or not I saluted. When I became an NCO that continued with my troops training. Reason is that as a very young E2 out of AIT, I did not salute a vehicle without a placard or sticker that contained the I Corps Commander LTG Pelastera. Needless to say I became a training point for the rest of the post.

When I was AD any vehicle with a blue window sticker, old timers will know, got a salute regardless of who was driving

Aside from the other valid points made, I also consider saluting one of the job requirements. You don't want to salute, get a new job. In other words, get out of the military.

Who cares........if the rules say salute....it's simple salute......as far as if I run into an old commander or officer ....if I respect them they will always get a salute....if i saluted them because of rules/reg while i was active duty.....well sometimes it good to be retired.