What regulation allows for a presidential salute?

2020-07-04T15:40:13-04:00

As I understand it Regan was the first president to return a military salute and when questioned by a general about it being improper due to him being a civilian not in uniform he told them to change that rule and every president since has saluted the troops. I'm curious if there was an actual rule change or if it is an unwritten rule?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2020 5:29 PM

2020-07-04T17:29:58-04:00

its covered in AR 600-20

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2020 6:03 PM

2020-07-04T18:03:57-04:00

President Reagan was so cool.

Response by SGM Gerald Fife made Jul 5 at 2020 5:07 AM

2020-07-05T05:07:14-04:00

The President, as you know, is the Commander-in-Chief of our great military. As such, when he is saluted, which is often, he will return the salute. I seriously doubt if that General would question the President. But then again, the General probably didn't know the POTUS was the CIC. And the ONLY civilian in Command. Though yesterday when President arrived at Mount Rushmore, I noticed he did not return the salute of the two Marines at the door of the helicopter when he got out.
What difference does it make whether the President returns a salute. really, he is the Commander-in-chief. A Rule, a policy or unwritten rule, why does it matter.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jul 5 at 2020 7:11 AM

2020-07-05T07:11:28-04:00

Th First Amendment. Any General telling any civilian that any legal form of expression is improper, needs to check his oath and his place.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jul 5 at 2020 9:29 AM

2020-07-05T09:29:42-04:00

Reagan was the only USAAF officer to be POTUS and Bush 43 the only USAF officer, so far, to be POTUS. Since the Army has reactivated the USAAC, we could get a POTUS from that.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2020 12:28 PM

2020-07-05T12:28:02-04:00

No regulation specifies that the president should salute (or return the salute of) military personnel. Military regulations apply to military personnel not civilians. Civilians are free to salute if they wish.

Under the US Constitution the President is a civilian. AR 600-20 prohibits active military personnel from holding elected office. Once discharged, former military personnel are free to hold elected office. Dwight Eisenhower was Supreme Commander of NATO in 1951 and retired to become President in 1952. The intent of the framers of the Constitution was to have civilian control of the military. As President, Eisenhower saluted on several occasions but it was not common practice as it is today.

President Reagan made returning salutes common practice and each President who succeeded him has continued it.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jul 5 at 2020 12:32 PM

2020-07-05T12:32:18-04:00

I believe the White House Protocol Officer should teach incoming Presidents the following response to all salutes by military personnel.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=jaz+hands&&view=detail&mid=DDD8EAFC1BC9EA3B6DF0DDD8EAFC1BC9EA3B6DF0&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Djaz%2Bhands%26FORM%3DHDRSC3

jaz hands - Bing video