Should retired officers, who are not in uniform, return a salute?

I remember the female admiral who the navy base in Orlando back in the early 80’s. During out in processing at the Torpedomans mate school we were told to salute her, or her car if we saw her or it, regardless of whether she was in civvies or even if she was driving her car. I can tell you I saluted her daughter in the car on more than one occasion, but it sure beat polishing brass during my time off.

No one is required to salute me, but if someone does, I return it. When I was on active duty and accidently saluted someone that I wasn't required to salute, it was returned usually with a smile. I believe it is just an unwritten rule that you always return a salute not for fear but for respect.

Are they required to? No. Should they? I think so. If someone afforded them the courtesy to acknowledge and respect their rank, they should respond in kind.

Please keep in Mind That the Salute Is There Honor to render as a Sign of Respect. In some guard Posts SOP it is a requirement Not selective. What kind of Soup sandwich would you have at the gate if personnel were allowed to be selective. More importantly I had a conversation with one of the gate Guards about this practice Because He saluted me at the gate and i am enlisted. He quickly told me that it is his right and honor to Salute, In Addition He was saluting as a show of respect for the time served to earn a Retired ID.
Unlike the Vet-Nam era now people on the street even are Honored to show the respect for The service rendered. I Enlisted in the early 70's- and retired in late 96. I have learn through the years that" The old days" of service where people went out of there way to disrespect and some times physically disrespect People in Uniform, To being honored for your service (with a Salute) is a welcome Change. Thank you for your Service LTC. SLOW SALUTE.

Since I am rarely if ever in uniform I rarely am saluted, except at gates by gate guards in uniform. I always return a salute if I am able to do so. The salute is a greeting and the honor bestowed is the honor returned when we return salutes. But I would never demand a salute nor would I expect one in other circumstances. If a gate guard or other person greets me by rank I also try to recognize his or her rank in returning the greeting. Like many officers I began my service as an enlisted member and I never felt it demeaning to render a salute, either as one saluting a superior or as one returning a salute.

I say the salute is more important than anyone’s ego about it.

Consider the history of the salute. That it is a sign of respect and courtesy that Knights, Hoplites and other warriors since time immemorial have rendered unto each other.

It’s been my experience only shitbags want to get out of rendering a salute or displaying customs and courtesies.

There are certain men and women I will salute to the die I do if only because I know what those men and women, those incredible American treasures, those American sons and daughters, my brothers and sisters, I know what they have been through and the type of life they have busted for their fellow Americans.

Recently I took a retired warrant officer friend who was having health issues to a local Air Force base. He's been retired since around 1989. After presenting his ID, the kid on the gate leaned over and saluted my buddy through my open window. My buddy was fumbling around trying to put his ID back in his wallet. After about 30 seconds, with the kid saluting like a statue, I finally said, "He's saluting you." My buddy whipped out a salute and we traveled on

A salute is a military greeting. It is no more required when out of uniform than stopping your car to say hello to a stranger on the street, but as a sign of mutual respect and kinship, I would and do return a salute when rendered.

That salute is a sign of respect and please don't hesitate to give a little respect back.. There is nothing wrong with it, it is common courtesy.

I believe you are incorrect about "only GOs retain their rank when they retire". Retired soldiers are placed on the retired list at retirement. There are three lists: Active list, Reserve list and Retired list. I am a retired LTC, therefore a LTC on the retired list. I did not lose my rank when I retired. I just moved from the active list to the retired list.