Thoughts on the Presidential Salute

SSgt Michael Hacker — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 13:33:53 -0400

The so-called "latte salute" from yesterday has stirred up a lot of attention/anger/indifference in various dark corners of the social mediaverse. This attention has led to a few conversations I've been part of as to whether it is required or even appropriate for a President to return the salutes rendered to him by the military.

According to one source (see below), the first President to return salutes was Reagan. Not Washington. Not even Eisenhower. Reagan.

This leads me to my question: What are the thoughts of the military community on this? Do you have any information on the tradition/history of the Presidential (return) salute?

http://taskandpurpose.com/sorry-presidential-salute-isnt-real-thing/

PS: Let's please try not to turn this into a "Obama/Bush/Fillmore sucks" thread.

Sorry, The Presidential Salute Isn't A Real Thing

President Barack Obama faced criticism for saluting Marines with a cup in his hand, but the presidential salute isn't a real thing.