When veterans are saluting as a flag passes in a parade (e.g. 4th of July, etc.), do we have our cover on or off?

SrA David Clay — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 22:26:55 -0500

Veterans are now allowed to salute the flag as it passes in a parade. I am under the impression that we do not need to be in uniform. My question is .... cover. On or off in civilian clothes?

Response by SGT Michael Thorin made Nov 28 at 2018 10:32 PM

SGT Michael Thorin — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 22:32:45 -0500

It is my understanding (and I may be incorrect” that if you have a cover on that is in good decorum, on with a salute is acceptable. If the picture is questionable (2 green ducks making a meth deal at a day care type stuff), off with a salute is preferred.

However, I defer to someone who knows this reg.

COL Mikel J. Burroughs. 1SG Frank Boynton SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL LTC Stephen F. Lt Col Charlie Brown, Brig Gen Jim Jaeger any thoughts?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Nov 28 at 2018 11:15 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 23:15:52 -0500

Preferably with cover, but you can uncovered.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2018 11:31 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 23:31:24 -0500

SrA David Clay Cover on if you are wearing one, or you can still salute when you are not wearing one. Below are the rules for saluting the flag. Marines have separate rules that are covered in the second link below.

https://www.military.com/flag-day/rules-for-saluting-us-flag.html

https://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/886473/customs-and-traditions/

Rules for Saluting US Flag

Non uniformed servicemembers, military retirees, and veterans may render salute to flag.

Response by Sgt Jude Eschete made Nov 29 at 2018 10:31 AM

Sgt Jude Eschete — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 10:31:44 -0500

I would say leave your cover as is. Let's use the example of when Morning Colors was played, If you were covered, you saluted, if you were uncovered you didn't run for your cover, you stood at position of attention and faced the colors (or music if you are unsure about the direction of the flag).

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Nov 29 at 2018 10:57 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 10:57:48 -0500

As an American Legion Rider (ALR Post 178), we always salute the flag in civilian clothes and cover on. We only remove our covers when we are joining in a prayer to God, benediction, or opening prayer to our meetings or escorting a veteran to their final resting place during he funeral sermon. I don't think there is anything written about what is correct or incorrect. Those are the quidelines we follow as veterans in the American Legion Riders Group that I belong to and we followed the same wen I Ride and escort with the Patriot Guard Riders. That is my 2 cents on the question SrA David Clay

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Nov 29 at 2018 11:35 AM

SP5 Peter Keane — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 11:35:44 -0500

Veterans don't wear covers, they wear hats.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Nov 29 at 2018 12:53 PM

MSgt Michael Smith — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 12:53:38 -0500

Dude you are a Vet! In civilian attire!! Salute any way you want to.

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 29 at 2018 2:25 PM

SrA John Monette — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 14:25:12 -0500

SrA David Clay I have always left my cover/hat on when rendering a salute, same as if I were still on active duty

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 29 at 2018 2:53 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 14:53:18 -0500

This is somewhat old news SrA David Clay and SGT Michael Thorin in it was passed during the former POTUS George W. Bush administration and signed into law.
"WASHINGTON -- Veterans and active-duty military not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect this month.

“The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation’s armed forces,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our nation’s flag.”

The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law last year that authorized veterans to render the military-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did not address salutes during the national anthem. Last year’s provision also applied to members of the armed forces while not in uniform.

Traditionally, members of the nation’s veterans service organizations have rendered the hand-salute during the national anthem and at events involving the national flag while wearing their organization’s official head-gear.

The most recent change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was sponsored by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, an Army veteran. It was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed on Oct. 14.

The earlier provision authorizing hand-salutes for veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, was contained in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which took effect Jan. 28, 2008."
https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1609
FYI LTC Jeff Shearer SGT Philip Roncari Lt Col Jim Coe CWO3 Dennis M.SGT Private RallyPoint MemberPO3 Bob McCordSGT Jim Arnold Sgt Albert Castro PO3 Phyllis Maynard Maj Robert Thornton SPC Douglas Bolton Cynthia Croft PO1 H Gene Lawrence COL Mikel J. Burroughs Lt Col Charlie Brown Brig Gen Jim Jaeger SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL 1SG Frank Boynton

pressrelease.cfm

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Nov 29 at 2018 4:27 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 16:27:19 -0500

SrA David Clay: I stood at attention; and saluted during the National Anthem: at a San Francisco Giants game. I did not have a cover; and I was in civilian clothes.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Nov 29 at 2018 4:34 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 16:34:05 -0500

You can keep it on just as if you were in uniform with head gear on.

Response by PO2 Robert Aitchison made Nov 29 at 2018 5:39 PM

PO2 Robert Aitchison — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 17:39:53 -0500

For me I will never salute unless I'm both in uniform and covered.

When I'm on the Iowa and wearing my Iowa uniform (which is basically the Navy Dungaree uniform) I will always salute the flag when going on or off the ship, if I'm not wearing any uniform I come to attention and face the flag.

Response by PO2 Lanny Roberts made Nov 29 at 2018 6:29 PM

PO2 Lanny Roberts — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 18:29:14 -0500

The Salute
To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Nov 30 at 2018 2:52 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 02:52:33 -0500

When I retired from the Army in 93 I Saluted the US Flag as it passed during the 4th of July parade. That was before all this can or can't BS came across the internet.
Neither you nor anyone can tell me when, how-to or if I can salute the flag.

Response by PO3 Jeffrey Brown made Dec 11 at 2018 1:18 PM

PO3 Jeffrey Brown — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 13:18:13 -0500

As a veteran, we have the right to salute at parades and sporting events. It is not specified whether covered, or uncovered, probably because some branches don't salute unless they are covered (and outdoors).

https://www.military.com/flag-day/rules-for-saluting-us-flag.html

Rules for Saluting US Flag

Non uniformed servicemembers, military retirees, and veterans may render salute to flag.