Posted on Aug 18, 2017
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Every time I returned a salute, it was a reminder of my responsibilities to every subordinate. For those who don't like saluting junior officers, it may help if you try to view it as reminding that young officer of their responsibility.
Customs and Courtesies
Saluting
2d Lt
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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I guess I really am old school. To this day I find myself saluting people I respect as part of my greeting. Granted, those civilian salutes are not near parade ground, compared to when I salute for the National Anthem. I like to salute and always have. What's the deal? It is so easy to do.
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Sgt Mike Jacobi
As an old school vet I always salute the military personnel I meet in the airport or coffee shop. Not a letter perfect Lackland Airman Basic type but a friendly respectful hiball from one warrior to another.
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MAJ Albert McCaig
I never felt “lower” than a superior officer in saluting him/her. I think it was more an affirmation that I recognized the position and authority. As I grew more comfortable in uniform, I became less conscious of my inexperience and more comfortable with the act itself. Hell, I even initiated salutes to equals and subordinates just our of courtesy.
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It tells them that they are an Officer in the United States Military and that they automatically glean a certain amount of respect based on their position and theat they should cary themselves proudly and respectfully while remaining humble in their person!
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Maj John Bell it "should" tell them that they are the low man on the totem pole. That, while yes they are officers of the military, they are just entering into said military, and owe it to the ranks above them to render the respect said higher rank deserves.
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Maj John Bell
First, they are not low man on the totem pole. When a junior initiated a salute with me, I never took it as them acknowledging that they are lower than me on the totem pole, I don't think I've ever known an officer that views the custom of saluting in that way.
Second, I clearly did not phrase my question correctly. My question has nothing to do with a junior officer saluting senior officers. As an individuals, The typical officer returns far more salutes in a given day than the typical enlisted person initiates. But you do not see posts on RP where officers complain about saluting juniors or for that matter seniors. Quite frankly, any officer that is getting an ego boost from a salute has a screw loose. That doesn't mean that a salute isn't special. It is a hand signal that you and I have a solemn agreement.
The junior agrees to offer immediate intelligent obedience, symbolized by a salute. In return the senior owes the junior every effort to be a technically, tactically, operationally, and strategically proficient officer. Furthermore, the senior owes the junior wise leadership, all symbolized by the returned salute. When I returned a junior's salute I was reaffirming the promise to NEVER take my obligation to that junior lightly.
Why don't two civilians with no affiliation passing on the sidewalk salute? Because they don't owe each other more than common courtesy
Edit
Second, I clearly did not phrase my question correctly. My question has nothing to do with a junior officer saluting senior officers. As an individuals, The typical officer returns far more salutes in a given day than the typical enlisted person initiates. But you do not see posts on RP where officers complain about saluting juniors or for that matter seniors. Quite frankly, any officer that is getting an ego boost from a salute has a screw loose. That doesn't mean that a salute isn't special. It is a hand signal that you and I have a solemn agreement.
The junior agrees to offer immediate intelligent obedience, symbolized by a salute. In return the senior owes the junior every effort to be a technically, tactically, operationally, and strategically proficient officer. Furthermore, the senior owes the junior wise leadership, all symbolized by the returned salute. When I returned a junior's salute I was reaffirming the promise to NEVER take my obligation to that junior lightly.
Why don't two civilians with no affiliation passing on the sidewalk salute? Because they don't owe each other more than common courtesy
Edit
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