Is saluting really that hard to understand?

2014-06-18T10:33:58-04:00

OK for all the salute threads here on rallypoint, I really want to understand why there is so much discussion? They all ask should it happen, not does it happen. The answer is clear per TC 3-25.1 Appendix A paragraph A-1.

A-1. WHEN TO SALUTE
Army personnel in uniform are required to salute when they meet and recognize persons
entitled (by grade) to a salute except when it is inappropriate or impractical (in public
conveyances such as planes and buses, in public places such as inside theaters, or when
driving a vehicle).
a. A salute is also rendered—
• When the United States National Anthem, “To the Color,” “Hail to the Chief,” or
foreign national anthems are played.
• To uncased National Color outdoors.
• On ceremonial occasions as prescribed in Part Two, Ceremonies.
• At reveille and retreat ceremonies, during the raising or lowering of the flag.
• During the sounding of honors.
• When the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag is being recited outdoors.
• When turning over control of formations.
• When rendering reports.
• To officers of friendly foreign countries.
b. Salutes are not required when—
• Indoors, except when reporting to an officer or when on duty as a guard.
• Addressing a prisoner.
• Saluting is obviously inappropriate. In these cases, only greetings are exchanged.
(Example 1: A person carrying articles with both hands, or being otherwise so
occupied as to make saluting impracticable, is not required to salute a senior
person or return the salute to a subordinate.)
• Either the senior or the subordinate is wearing civilian clothes.
c. In any case not covered by specific instructions, the salute is rendered.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2014 10:37 AM

2014-06-18T10:37:56-04:00

Great post! Simple to the point and really the only thing to debate is why is there so much discussion on this?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2014 10:44 AM

2014-06-18T10:44:14-04:00

Don't forget saluting the General Officer's vehicle when the plate was visible and we don't salute when reporting for pay either thanks to direct deposit.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jun 18 at 2014 10:46 AM

2014-06-18T10:46:49-04:00

Come on now SFC Gilley, let's not try to over simplify an obviously difficult concept!!!

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Jun 18 at 2014 10:50 AM

2014-06-18T10:50:45-04:00

You know this will just make CPT Maurelli open another thread right?

Response by MSG(P) Michael Warrick made Jun 18 at 2014 11:45 AM

2014-06-18T11:45:15-04:00

No it is not ! People just want to make things difficult.

Response by SSG Dennis O'Connor made Jun 18 at 2014 4:18 PM

2014-06-18T16:18:19-04:00

When in doubt whip it out

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2014 6:35 PM

2014-06-18T18:35:48-04:00

I think the only big controversy about saluting is the 2LT saluting a 1LT thread.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Jun 18 at 2014 8:15 PM

2014-06-18T20:15:14-04:00

I thought I add this link here just 4 knowledge.

http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/salute.htm

Everything You Need to Know About the US Military Salute

The origin of the Hand Salute is uncertain. Some historians believe it began in late Roman times when assassinations were common. A citizen who wanted to see a public official had to approach with his right hand raised to show that he did not hold a weapon. Here are the saluting customs of the U.S. Military Forces today.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Jun 18 at 2014 9:35 PM

2014-06-18T21:35:19-04:00

Yea but did you die?

Response by SSG Richard Stevens made Jun 19 at 2014 7:19 PM

2014-06-19T19:19:50-04:00

You hit the nail on the head

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Jun 21 at 2014 9:05 AM

2014-06-21T09:05:20-04:00

I have seen saluting from both sides of the fence.

In bootcamp, you hardly ever see an officer and there's an aura of mystique about them... They are the college educated "smart guys" that tell your drill instructors what they can and can't do and they write their fitness reports. So as much as you respect your drill instructors, they are above them. And you are required to salute officers in your general orders for sentries. I've seen some motivated troops cross the street just so they could salute an officer and I've seen others cross the street just to avoid doing it. The best Marines did neither.

Saluting is a sign of respect; it's a courtesy you give to officers and acknowledges them. As an enlisted person it is your job to iniitiate the salute and the officers in turn are required to return the salute. If they fail to return it, they are even more in the wrong because they should know better. Their returning of the salute is them returning the respect and it is their way of acknowledging the person who saluted them.

When I was a troop, I got chewed a couple times for not giving an officer a salute (by the officer whose collar I couldn't make out). It had nothing to do with me not wanting to acknowledge them. I just didn't see their collar or I estimated them to be farther than 20 paces away. In my estimation the officers doing the chewing were full of themselves, or couldn't count paces. One even chewed me for not saying "By your leave Sir", when I walked past from behind but I didn't have X-Ray vision couldn't see his rank as I passed. Usually you could spot an officer because they carried themselves differently, and you didn't have to see the rank, but in any event, I took my A$$chewings in stride and never made excuses... and then made a mental note that if I ever was an officer I wouldn't be like them.

As an officer, I used to chuckle when troops would go out of their way to salute but I never discouraged them. I might let them know that it wasn't necessary to cross the street or whatever just to salute, but I thanked them for their effort and told them to carry on. On a couple of occasions I did chew someone for not saluting because I could see that they saw me and saw their eyes look at my collar. I would have been in the wrong for allowing them to not salute and get away with it. And there were times when I didn't see a troop salute me and missed returning their salute -- especially when a salute is performed late or when you are driving and you don't have enough time to return it. It happens. Officers put their pants on the same way, and they're human too.

So in conclusion, saluting is not a way of making the enlisted show respect that isn't deserved. It is not demeaning. It is simply a courtesy rendered and means of giving respect that gets the same courtesy and respect returned.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2014 2:39 PM

2014-08-26T14:39:06-04:00

SGT Richard H., a tribute to you:

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Aug 30 at 2015 6:35 PM

2015-08-30T18:35:55-04:00

Simple-When in doubt Salute--seldom is considered offensive.

Response by SSG Stephen Arnold made Aug 30 at 2015 8:21 PM

2015-08-30T20:21:57-04:00

I solved this dilemma with an ETS.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2015 10:46 PM

2015-08-30T22:46:10-04:00

Saluting is a sign of mutual respect as fellow members of the profession of arms. We must not forget that BOTH members are being saluted! Its simply the custom of the junior to initiate it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 10:57 AM

2016-03-09T10:57:01-05:00

While TDY to Yongsan, I had a Katusa PVT salute me while I was standing at the urinal.