Posted on Mar 15, 2022
What are the rules on parade rest and saluting when in combat or a field environment?
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His I was in the field the a few days ago and I was asked if saluting in a combat zone or field environment was allowed to which I replied normally it isn’t but then he asked me a questing that kinda made me turn my head which was if the same applied for parade rest when it came to nco’s and I’ll be honest I wasn’t able to answer him cause I really didn’t know is there a regulation or somewhere written Dan answer for this question I looked in drill and ceremony manual and in the regs I was not able to locate an answer can someone help not know an answer is kinda bothering me
Drill and Ceremony
Saluting
Environment
Combat
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 9
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Believe it or not, the military runs as much on common sense as it does on regulation. The relaxation of saluting in combat areas probably came about because some officer got shot shortly after he was rendered a salute.
Why do we salute or stand at parade rest anyway? These courtesies are traditions for a couple of practical reasons; to recognize who is in charge and to stop the junior person from talking to provide the senior an opportunity to pass on instructions or greetings. The habit is established in garrison and extends to the field although the gestures are omitted for practical reasons.
There are many situations not clearly defined in the military. Just as we depend upon the junior person stepping forward to give direction in the absence of seniors, common sense is relied upon most of the time. Yes, there will be moments where the wrong decision is made, but it mostly works out.
Why do we salute or stand at parade rest anyway? These courtesies are traditions for a couple of practical reasons; to recognize who is in charge and to stop the junior person from talking to provide the senior an opportunity to pass on instructions or greetings. The habit is established in garrison and extends to the field although the gestures are omitted for practical reasons.
There are many situations not clearly defined in the military. Just as we depend upon the junior person stepping forward to give direction in the absence of seniors, common sense is relied upon most of the time. Yes, there will be moments where the wrong decision is made, but it mostly works out.
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Not sure if it needs to be done in a field environment because that's would still make that soldier stand out and the sniper would be interested thinking that parade rest behavior by the soldier indicates a leader present.
Let me ask a couple retired E-9s.
CSM Charles Hayden SGM Steve Wettstein
Let me ask a couple retired E-9s.
CSM Charles Hayden SGM Steve Wettstein
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Suspended Profile
This is what I was thinking, our personnel shouldn't salute in combat zones, even on military bases where non-military personnel were coming and going such as in Iraq or Afghanistan, because you could never know for certain who was leaking information, who was a spy for the insurgents, etc. Not to mention they would actually try to kill certain officers like chaplains above all others as a way to strike at morale...yikes.
Sometimes saluting and parade rest was expected, such as during private change of command ceremonies, and other times it wasn't.
Sometimes saluting and parade rest was expected, such as during private change of command ceremonies, and other times it wasn't.
CSM Charles Hayden
LTC (Join to see) “Field environment” vs “Combat situation”. That is an easy decision, if you do not like the officer!
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We used to have a slogan, "Train the way you fight". So if you would not do it in a fight, do not do it when training to fight.
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