CPT Benjamin Faw 102856 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Share what you see today or have seen in the past! Thanks!&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;My unit had a policy on this, and I have heard others had similar experiences!&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt; 2014-04-15T15:23:10-04:00 CPT Benjamin Faw 102856

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Share what you see today or have seen in the past! Thanks!&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;My unit had a policy on this, and I have heard others had similar experiences!&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;

2014-04-15T15:23:10-04:00 2014-04-15T15:23:10-04:00 CW2 Jonathan Kantor 102867

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If you recognize them, you can salute/return the salute.  It is still a form of respect, uniform or not.<br>

2014-04-15T15:30:24-04:00 2014-04-15T15:30:24-04:00 LTC Yinon Weiss 102874

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I can say that in the Marine Corps, you would NEVER salute if out of uniform. Doing so would be as unprofessional as you trying to salute with your left foot.<div><br></div><div>In the Army, I've seen all sorts of behavior, and it seems like a much more casual return of respect and less strict.</div><div><br></div><div>I look forward to seeing who will be the first to find it in the regulation and share with the others? How about the Air Force and Navy?</div>

2014-04-15T15:39:09-04:00 2014-04-15T15:39:09-04:00 SGT Bryon Sergent 102876

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I have just given the greeting of the day and carried on.

2014-04-15T15:42:10-04:00 2014-04-15T15:42:10-04:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 102908

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>&lt;p&gt;Sir&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This is straight out of&amp;nbsp; AR 600-25&lt;/p&gt;&lt;font size=&quot;2&quot; face=&quot;Times New Roman&quot;&gt;&lt;font size=&quot;2&quot; face=&quot;Times New Roman&quot;&gt;&lt;p align=&quot;LEFT&quot;&gt;Salutes are not required to be rendered or returned when the senior or subordinate, or both are—&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;<br />&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(1) In civilian attire.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Honestly in my opinion I don&#39;t see the point as long as you are giving the greeting of the day to them&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/font&gt;

2014-04-15T16:08:21-04:00 2014-04-15T16:08:21-04:00 SFC Stephen P. 103009

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It's clearly not required when not in uniform, but I don't consider it inappropriate.<br><br>The Defense Authorization Act of 2009 changed policy to allow saluting during the national anthem while in civilian attire (and for veterans). Saluting persons while not in uniform would make sense in light of that. <br>

2014-04-15T17:48:11-04:00 2014-04-15T17:48:11-04:00 1SG Frank Rocha 103096

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Its not required either way but is not improper or illegal. When you do something respectful or courteous (or the right thing for that matter) when its not required it normally sends the message that you respect the person not just for the rank but for who they are. It also says you respect your service to your country, whether past or present. <br><br>The other part to this is my interpretation of the "book" answer. Your saluting a superior officer FROM the rank and position you not only hold but are representing at that moment, TO that officers rank and position that they are holding and representing at that moment. Your not really saluting the person per se unless your doing it without being required to and so long as its not at an inappropriate time or place. A way to differentiate is with an example. <br><br>I read a story about an Army Captain that, for whatever reason, was passed up for promotion and had to appeal the decision. While the appeal was ongoing he could not continue his service so he came back in as an enlisted soldier. He was an E-7 at the time his appeal was approved and reinstated and promoted to Major. <br><br>Now holding onto that scenario imagine that man, as an E-7, approaching a Captain. he would salute that person wearing the captain bars because, at that time that captain was senior to him and an officer. On the flip side, and subsequently AFTER he was reinstated and promoted to Major, If he was to encounter that same Captain again, he would be the one entitled to the salute. <br><br><br>

2014-04-15T19:29:00-04:00 2014-04-15T19:29:00-04:00 PO3 Jack Englehart 105228

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I would say no, but greet them with a Sir or Maam or by their rank..

2014-04-18T10:21:26-04:00 2014-04-18T10:21:26-04:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 105369

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I have never saluted in civis Sir. Pretty sure the AR 600-25 says you do not have to.

2014-04-18T13:47:58-04:00 2014-04-18T13:47:58-04:00 PO1 William "Chip" Nagel 105552

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Things change and I retired in 97 but if I am in Uniform and I recognize them and that they are an Officer I Salute. If I am not in Uniform I acknowledge them with the appropriate niceties without the Salute. I'm sure though there are unique subtleties from one branch to another. We Sailors only salute when covered and when we are at sea we don't wear our covers. 

2014-04-18T18:35:45-04:00 2014-04-18T18:35:45-04:00 SSG Jeffrey Spencer 105679

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I my days in the Army, one saluted in uniform to respect the rank.  One may salute a superior in civvies in respect for the leader.  Not all superiors earn this respect.

2014-04-18T22:44:23-04:00 2014-04-18T22:44:23-04:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 105700

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I saluted a major in uniform while I was out of uniform in Arifjan. He snidely advised me not to salute him while I was not in uniform. One of those officers who are only saluted because of their rank, not their person.

2014-04-18T23:25:26-04:00 2014-04-18T23:25:26-04:00 MSG Tim Cates 106136

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>NO!...  and anyone in the Military knows that we are saluting the uniform and not the person.  We are all in service of a position and tradition which was there before and after our time and honor to serve this great nation.  When not in uniform or service then we are expected to conduct ourselves respectfully at all times... but saluting a person without being on duty would be a disservice to the uniform for which it was intended. Courtesy shown by acknowledging with a title like "Skipper" or  "Commander" is fine and demonstrates respect for the individual.  Soldiers called me "Top" or "1st Sgt" regardless.  This continued after I moved on to other pastures.  Obama thinks he is greater than the position he holds and all respect to the office is raised by his presence , just the opposite is true.  People serve in these positions with honor and do hold to standard...some dishonor themselves ,the uniform or position..in either case the position remains as our remains are laid to rest.

2014-04-19T16:38:25-04:00 2014-04-19T16:38:25-04:00 CW3 Private RallyPoint Member 107949

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>While at the 3rd BN 75th Rangers it is required of you to salute while in or out of uniform any officer that is in the Regiment that you recognize.

2014-04-21T23:14:03-04:00 2014-04-21T23:14:03-04:00 SSG (ret) William Martin 107954

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I will keep this simple, AR 600-25 states we only salute in uniform.&amp;nbsp; Officers should not take it as disrespect if I don&#39;t salute if one of us are in civilians attire.

2014-04-21T23:21:31-04:00 2014-04-21T23:21:31-04:00 PO1 Private RallyPoint Member 109665

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><div>Interesting find when looking through Naval regulations:</div><div><br></div><div>4. Civilians may be saluted by persons in</div><div>uniform when appropriate, but the uniform hat</div><div>or cap shall not be raised as a form of salutation.</div><div>5. A person in the naval service not in uniform</div><div>shall, in rendering salutes or exchanging</div><div>greetings, comply with the rules and customs</div><div>established for a civilian, except that, when</div><div>saluting another person in the armed services,</div><div>the hand salutes shall be used.</div><div><br></div>

2014-04-24T00:07:21-04:00 2014-04-24T00:07:21-04:00 MAJ Private RallyPoint Member 129405

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Yes. Per regulation. End of discussion

2014-05-18T13:53:24-04:00 2014-05-18T13:53:24-04:00 MSgt Ediberto L. 141185

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Some folks do it regardless when they know the ranking officer out of simple courtesy but it is not mandated by Army regulation that I know of.

2014-06-01T23:20:24-04:00 2014-06-01T23:20:24-04:00 SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member 189657

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Maybe I am too "Old School" but the reg once said that if you are in uniform, and see a superior Officer whom you recognize as an Officer, you should render the salute. If both are in civilian clothes, then the salute is not exchanged.

2014-07-29T23:21:03-04:00 2014-07-29T23:21:03-04:00 CPT Private RallyPoint Member 193002

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The salute has a lot of history as a sign of mutual respect. By regulation if either party is out of uniform a salute is not required (unless a more stringent standard is enforced by the unit). That being said, rendering and returning a salute when one party is out of uniform, in my opinion, is a demonstration of personal respect rather than some official requirement. The one caveat that comes to mind, is that such an action is much less appropriate off-post.

2014-08-03T01:43:43-04:00 2014-08-03T01:43:43-04:00 CWO2 Shelby DuBois 194956

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>From the manual: (3) In the naval services, protocol does not call for saluting when uncovered except for the return of uncovered salutes rendered first by Army and Air Force personnel. The exception in this case follows the general rule that, "social customs or military courtesy should always be interpreted so as to prevent awkward situations." Therefore, the naval service establishes an exception whereby an uncovered salute may be returned. When uncovered, naval officers initiate salutes by coming to a position of attention.

2014-08-05T15:59:38-04:00 2014-08-05T15:59:38-04:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 217607

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I would say no but only because an officer in civilian clothes probably enjoys the temporary reprieve from being saluted a hundred times a day as much as I do. Let me preface that with saying I do not consider anyone but God "superior" to me just merely higher in rank.

2014-08-26T07:19:52-04:00 2014-08-26T07:19:52-04:00 CW5 Private RallyPoint Member 275334

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I can answer what I have seen in the past, <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="72612" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/72612-cpt-benjamin-faw">CPT Benjamin Faw</a>. For all of my career I understood that I was to salute a senior officer - regardless of his/her uniform. If I recognized the officer, I better whip out that salute!

2014-10-12T19:38:26-04:00 2014-10-12T19:38:26-04:00 WO1 Private RallyPoint Member 275399

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If I am in uniform I will salute. If they are in uniform and I'm in civillians, I just give the greeting and keep it moving.

2014-10-12T20:17:43-04:00 2014-10-12T20:17:43-04:00 Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member 275403

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I remember my pilot training buds getting chewed out for not rendering to the Ops groups commander's car on Altus AFB, while they were in Civies. I think that was because Altus was a training pipeline base for Airman straight out of basic and they were still required to be pseudo locked up until the last phase. We were in that environment and they wanted us to set an example. My understanding was not required by big Air Force, but commanders can make a policy like this a training bases.

2014-10-12T20:21:02-04:00 2014-10-12T20:21:02-04:00 SSG Ed Mikus 276124

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>if the situation calls for it, yes. such as in a display of excess honor and respect for the person.<br /><br />The only time i recall ever saluting someone when neither of us were in uniform was over 10 years ago, I had a BDE commander that made everyone salute him anytime anywhere.

2014-10-13T11:46:37-04:00 2014-10-13T11:46:37-04:00 PO1 Private RallyPoint Member 422646

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If you recognize the superior officer when he is out of his uniform then yes you can. But only if you are in uniform.

2015-01-17T20:45:26-05:00 2015-01-17T20:45:26-05:00 MAJ Private RallyPoint Member 422671

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You should salute them if you recognize them as a sign of respect.

2015-01-17T20:56:54-05:00 2015-01-17T20:56:54-05:00 SPC Christopher McClaskey 422787

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Yes

2015-01-17T22:18:59-05:00 2015-01-17T22:18:59-05:00 LTC Terrence Farrier, PhD 1412331

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>No. That doesn't mean you cannot acknowledge them as sir, or maam.

2016-03-29T11:25:31-04:00 2016-03-29T11:25:31-04:00 2014-04-15T15:23:10-04:00