Posted on Apr 26, 2014
SGT Enlisted Management Branch Nco
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Just recently, I visited the WWII memorial with my fiancé in Pittsburgh. We both serve. He is active duty and I a m a reservist. The respect I have for those who served before me is beyond words. When I see these names on the memorials, my heart begins to well up. These men and women paid the ultimate sacrifice. I couldn't help but salute Old Glory and the names of the fallen out of respect. My fiancé snapped a photo of the moment. I had a former marine tell me "since when do we salute when not in uniform"

You can imagine I was furious. Correct me if I'm wrong , but I can salute Old Glory and honor the fallen anytime I want. I'm a soldier in civilians and in uniform. 24/7. I need some back up here. I will continue to show respect until the day I die.

What did I miss here? Someone explain to me what is wrong about that?
Posted in these groups: Female officer saluting SalutingPolicy Policy
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Responses: 9
LTC Operations Officer (Opso)
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Personally just me talking here, heck with what others say. You are in civilians and you want to honor the fallen then do it. Saluting is a great tradition and sign of respect from long time ago, with no exact origin being know, but universally is shown as a sign of respect. We can never pay too much respect to our fallen comrades. In recent years we have seen military personnel charged with the solemn duty of honoring our fallen failing their duties and acting distaste and disgraceful. I am glad to see that we still have Soldiers like you that know the true meaning of respect and want to honor our fallen.
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SGT John Phillips
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You can salute when not in Uniform. Two links one from the DoD, and one from the VA. It's been a law since 2009.


http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51859


http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1609
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MSG Jose Colon
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The right answer to that one is the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 allows it, even if you are a civilian.
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LTC Operations Officer (Opso)
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MSG,

Was that only for the playing on national anthem though?
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