Should civilians salute?

2015-09-11T12:17:36-04:00

Since when do civilians get to salute? I'm a USAR CW2, but during the day, during the week, I'm a civilian contractor working for the FBI at the Academy campus on Marine Corps Base Quantico.

My bag with my FBI contractor badge was in the back seat of my car this morning, and so I had to use my USAR ID (which identifies me as a CW2) to get through the gate this morning. The CIVILIAN gate guard saluted me.

Whisky, Tango, Foxtrot, over?

UPDATE: I promised I'd ask, and the civilian guard was there again. I did indeed ask. No he wasn't a veteran. No, he wasn't prior military. Why does he salute officers then, since he's a straight up civilian? Because the base commander ordered it to be so.

Um, no. Saluting is a MILITARY custom, not a civilian one. If there's a military gate guard, and I've misplaced my contractor badge and use my Army Reserve CAC to enter the base, fine...let the guard salute, and I'll gladly return the salute.

Civilians? No. It's OUR custom, not theirs.

Response by CSM David Heidke made Sep 11 at 2015 12:17 PM

2015-09-11T12:17:58-04:00

really?!

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Sep 11 at 2015 12:21 PM

2015-09-11T12:21:43-04:00

A salute is a sign of respect. Civilians are not required to salute - but they are also not prohibited from doing so.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Sep 11 at 2015 12:23 PM

2015-09-11T12:23:09-04:00

Were they a vteran?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 11 at 2015 12:37 PM

2015-09-11T12:37:33-04:00

If the 'civilian" is prior military then a salute can be proper as a sign of respect.
I wear civilian clothes and have a ponytail which I grow to donate to locks of love and don't look very military. However i salute everybody who salutes me, I salute when the National Anthem of the USA is played and I salute the passing of the national Colors.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Sep 11 at 2015 12:56 PM

2015-09-11T12:56:53-04:00

Doesn't seem right to me. But then I'm in the middle of a dispute with the American legion over saluting while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 1:05 PM

2015-09-11T13:05:30-04:00

If you've presented a military ID that warrants a salute... return the salute. If I present my retired ID I get saluted, if I present my contractor ID I don't...

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Sep 11 at 2015 1:17 PM

2015-09-11T13:17:30-04:00

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member - Whisky Tango Foxtrot???? It is called Romeo Echo Sierra Papa Echo Charlie Tango....

First, saluting is not an activity that is prohibited to anybody who is not military. It is a sign of respect. I don't understand why anybody gets their panties in a knot over it.

Having dealt with and commanded/managed/supervised civilian gate guards/security police over many years, both on active duty and since retirement, I have never told them to salute or not to salute, although in Korea, the Korean civilian gate guards of military installations were required to salute all officers by the Korean 4-star DCINC of Combined Forces Command.

I have found that former military personnel (which many of the gate guards are) will usually salute officers, as a sign of respect. While not required to do so, it reflects their professionalism in their duties. Rather than wonder or complain about it, you should praise it. I'd make it a point to commend the individual to his supervisor, which serves to encourage such professional and respectful behavior.

Also, if saluted, you should always salute back, if doing so does not interfere with the safe operation of your vehicle. It is simple common courtesy.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 1:54 PM

2015-09-11T13:54:16-04:00

Well, there is no law that says they cannot do so. I get saluted all the time when I'm out in uniform. And I'm a PFC. I suppose to many civilians who do not know better, it is a sign of honor and respect to those of us in uniform. And who knows? Maybe the guard was former military, and he was rendering you the respect of your rank. I'd salute you too, Chief.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 2:06 PM

2015-09-11T14:06:22-04:00

Civilians, in my opinion should respect members of the military, not salute them. The salute is a privilege only for members of the military!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 2:19 PM

2015-09-11T14:19:04-04:00

You presented an officer ID Card, he saluted. Its that simple.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 2:21 PM

2015-09-11T14:21:29-04:00

I often salute vets. I have had many return the salute and also many smile in appreciation.

Response by CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) made Sep 12 at 2015 3:35 AM

2015-09-12T03:35:26-04:00

Maybe the gate guard was former military and simply wanted to show respect. Seems to me I've seen them salute at Ft Huachuca... Why is this a big issue?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 8:16 AM

2016-02-16T08:16:51-05:00

Non-veteran civilians saluting is not acceptable. It's not their tradition, it's ours. It's the same as those idiot Kindergarten graduation ceremonies. I graduated high school, no big deal, and everyone fawned over one of my little cousins who graduated Kindergarden at the time.... so what?

Response by MSgt Danny Hope made Feb 18 at 2016 12:31 PM

2016-02-18T12:31:27-05:00

I think the gate guards are required as part of their duties to salute officers...they are, after all, "filling in" for the traditional guards.

Response by SSgt Robert Marx made May 12 at 2017 2:45 PM

2017-05-12T14:45:57-04:00

Civilians may not have an obligation to salute but I have seen my fair share of patriotic civilians who never even spoke with a recruiter yet who swell up with pride when the National Ensign waves by uncased aboard a POV in a parade or what have you.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2017 2:47 PM

2017-05-12T14:47:41-04:00

I think your reaction is a little harsh frankly. The thing is, civilians aren't bound by our customs and courtesies or our regulations. Which means, they can salute, not salute, do it with their left hand, do it with their middle finger, whatever. The guy you encountered seemed to be doing it as a sign of respect. That's all. I'd just say thank you and be on my way. Just my opinion.

Response by SP5 Robert Ruck made May 12 at 2017 7:14 PM

2017-05-12T19:14:21-04:00

I agree. Same as saluting the flag. It's a military or Veteran privilege.

Response by LCpl Emanuel W. made May 15 at 2017 8:52 PM

2017-05-15T20:52:36-04:00

If the gate guard is law enforcement, then he is Para-Military. Within their unit, they are required to salute those above the rank of Sgt. So, for a civilian, para-military person to recognize that a CW3 rates a salute, should be taken as a sign of respect.

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made Nov 8 at 2017 9:40 AM

2017-11-08T09:40:01-05:00

The reason that Department of Defense Police they are commissioned federal law enforcement officers not guards are given orders orders to salute officers by the command. The Police Officers at the FBI Academy are FBI Police and I know a lot of them at Quantico and in Washington.

Response by Rick Young made Jan 23 at 2018 7:38 PM

2018-01-23T19:38:04-05:00

SSG. I haven't served but my dad did. He was in Market Garden, Normandy, Carantan, and Marvie during the Battle of the Buldge. He was captured on Christmas eve, and spent 109 days in a prison camp. When he died, the three soldiers folded his flag, and handed it to my mom, then turned and saluted my dad while he lays in his coffin. I was never so proud of my dad than I was at that moment. I know exactly what the soldiers were saying to dad. The salute means respect, it means thank you for your service to our country, It means I love you brother! I haven't served but my dad did. Don't tell me I don't know what a salute means.

Response by Tommy Barnett made Jan 13 at 2019 11:08 PM

2019-01-13T23:08:04-05:00

As a civilian I have been saluted by a gate guard on more than one occasion; it may not the "correct" thing to do, but I return the salute as a sign of respect to the guard for their service.

Response by SPC Joseph Garwood made Nov 13 at 2019 11:31 PM

2019-11-13T23:31:37-05:00

um no, not ever.

Response by Cadet PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2020 5:28 AM

2020-05-20T05:28:23-04:00

Yes, we should salute to civilians. I am an essay writer in https://essayguru.org/research-paper-proofreading-service/ website and I always salute the civilians. It represents our humanity and it is very good for all of us.

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Response by PFC Damon Bryant made May 30 at 2023 12:39 AM

2023-05-30T00:39:46-04:00

In the military, saluting is a customary gesture of respect exchanged between military personnel of different ranks.https://houseofhazards.com

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Response by Amn Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2023 10:05 PM

2023-08-22T22:05:17-04:00

Those who are below you will often have to bow to you when meeting, that is the rule in the army.
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