Post-military, do continue with the salute (hand to temple) or place hand on heart?

2015-06-06T13:35:12-04:00

My official service ended in 2011 and now in my civilian life as a teacher, we pledge allegiance to the flag. My question is, are we veterans supposed to salute with the knife hand to the temple or are we supposed to place our hand on our heart like the ordinary civilians?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 1:40 PM

2015-06-06T13:40:52-04:00

Either is now appropriate and authorized.

http://www.military.com/flag-day/rules-for-saluting-us-flag.html

Rules for Saluting US Flag

The National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 contained an amendment to allow un-uniformed servicemembers, military retirees, and veterans to render a hand salute during the hoisting, lowering, or passing of the U.S. flag.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jun 6 at 2015 1:41 PM

2015-06-06T13:41:19-04:00

Great question SPC Alejandro Martinez When I have been to events where they have played the national anthem at I have saluted during those events even when not in uniform. I'm sure there are going to be many veterans, active duty, and retirees that are going to tell me that I'm wrong, but at the end of the day I will always salute the flag and Present Arms when listening to the National Anthem! I'm sure there is a regulation for it, but I don't care what it states. I feel after serving my country for 37 years I have that right and I will exercise it just like our other freedoms that we have worked so hard to protect! Just one old soldiers opinion!

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made Jun 6 at 2015 1:50 PM

2015-06-06T13:50:16-04:00

Congress authorized veterans to render a military salute. I have ever since I required.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 6 at 2015 2:07 PM

2015-06-06T14:07:42-04:00

I use the military. I retired from the army the army never retired from me.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Jun 6 at 2015 2:11 PM

2015-06-06T14:11:05-04:00

Good luck as a teacher. It's the toughest job you'll ever have a complicated love-hate relationship with.

As for saluting, see the link.

http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1609

News Releases - Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

Provides a list and brief description of news releases issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Most news releases are also available as Word files to download.

Response by SSgt Trenton Losh made Jun 6 at 2015 2:22 PM

2015-06-06T14:22:48-04:00

I think it should depend on that person's preference. Personally I never salute when not in uniform.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Jun 6 at 2015 2:27 PM

2015-06-06T14:27:13-04:00

I most definitely will continue with the salute

Response by Col Lyman Faith made Jun 6 at 2015 2:56 PM

2015-06-06T14:56:39-04:00

IAW the new regulations, I render the hand salute to the temple. Last week my son (ARNG) and I were walking out the the office and retreat sounded. We both presented arms. It made me feel extraordinarily patriotic.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 6 at 2015 3:12 PM

2015-06-06T15:12:19-04:00

SPC Alejandro Martinez, I retired before the regulation was changed to allow for former service members to salute when not in uniform. So, for me, I prefer the hand over heart.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 6 at 2015 3:19 PM

2015-06-06T15:19:50-04:00

Volunteering for Scouting grants me the ability to salute with 2, 3, or all 4 fingers. Cub Scouts salute with 2, Boy Scouts with 3 and me with any number I choose given the occasion.

And yes as COL Mikel J. Burroughs so eloquently put, it I exercise my earned right whenever possible.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Jun 6 at 2015 4:20 PM

2015-06-06T16:20:58-04:00

I will continue to ALWAYS salute the flag so many of my brothers and sisters paid the ultimate sacrifice for...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 4:24 PM

2015-06-06T16:24:44-04:00

It's entirely individual preference. A law was passed in the last few years specifically stating that veterans/retirees could salute -- sorry, am on my phone or I'd look it up!

Personally, I usually salute. One, it's habit. Two, I still get irritated remembering the Delta clerk who smiled sweetly and told me she needed my husband's ID to process our first bag free (when I'm the full timer!). So, more awareness is good.

Response by SPC Jeffrey Bly made Jun 6 at 2015 4:50 PM

2015-06-06T16:50:38-04:00

Thank you RP! I have always wanted to Salute, but as a Veteran I always followed protocol and put hand over heart. With new regulations I will proudly Salute the way I was taught by the Army.

Response by PO1 John Meyer, CPC made Jun 6 at 2015 5:15 PM

2015-06-06T17:15:20-04:00

Since W signed The National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 into law right before leaving the White House, I've been doing it. I've gotten some strange looks in the past, but I still do it.

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Jun 6 at 2015 5:58 PM

2015-06-06T17:58:07-04:00

I'm definitely sticking with the hand salute. Just as Marines are always Marines.
I consider myself a Soldier, that's who I am.
Once I get out of the Army at some point, I will always be a Soldier. A Veteran Soldier.

I bled and broke my body for that Flag, and I will salute it.

To me a hand over the heart has no real meaning, you see people doing it just so they are not singled out as the person not doing it. A hand salute singles me out as a person that actually gave a hoot about it.

I need to step off my soap box...

Response by PO2 Skip Kirkwood made Jun 6 at 2015 6:23 PM

2015-06-06T18:23:53-04:00

Your choice. The law "permits" veterans to render the military salute, but nothing requires it. As a teacher, my thought is that you should set the example for the kids and do what you want them to do. Otherwise, you will confuse them.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 6 at 2015 6:32 PM

2015-06-06T18:32:12-04:00

Either is acceptable.

Response by SGT Kevin Brown made Jun 6 at 2015 7:19 PM

2015-06-06T19:19:42-04:00

I always salute, but have been curious for some time, whether or not it was written somewhere in some regs. Thank you for posting this and thank you to all who responded, especially those that shared their sources.

Response by SGT Kristjan Rahe made Jun 6 at 2015 7:25 PM

2015-06-06T19:25:35-04:00

I will salute when I am permitted as I feel I earned the honor.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 6 at 2015 9:23 PM

2015-06-06T21:23:34-04:00

I proudly render a hand salute. I do missions with the Patriot Guard Riders and we often stand flag lines for veteran funerals. I hold my flag in my left hand and salute with my right hand. I don't care if this is "right" or not I feel it is appropriate.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Jun 6 at 2015 10:41 PM

2015-06-06T22:41:54-04:00

We do at our DAV meeting.

Response by SSG Clyde Rainey made Jun 13 at 2015 1:08 PM

2015-06-13T13:08:46-04:00

I put my hand to my heart.

Response by COL Eric Rojo made May 7 at 2016 3:53 PM

2016-05-07T15:53:44-04:00

both are correct, hand to temple or military salute is an earned privilege.

Response by SSG Wesley Peck made May 9 at 2016 3:24 AM

2016-05-09T03:24:59-04:00

It's really one of those personal decisions and, either is appropriate. When I go to an event where there are, or are likely to be, other Veterans I usually salute. When we have a public funeral procession for a Serviceman, I always stand and salute. On Veterans Day, I wear my old uniform and attend a Ceremony somewhere, and I salute.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2016 7:37 AM

2016-05-09T07:37:58-04:00

Agree - either is correct. I have done and still do either depending on my mood and the circumstance.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made May 9 at 2016 8:33 AM

2016-05-09T08:33:57-04:00

Salute. Nothing hard about it, and it is the ONE THING that separates us from everyone else. I went to a baseball game in civies and saluted, if I hear the anthem anywhere else, I'd salute. It's something WE as the 1% of the nation, do.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2016 9:02 AM

2016-05-09T09:02:09-04:00

"Ancient Wisdom" was that while in civilian attire, veterans give the hand over the heart...which always felt a little "wrong" to me personally. Recent changes officially 'permit' us to give the hand salute...but there were always situations before where I would render a hand salute, and felt it to be appropriate. In the American Legion, we have long given a hand salute while wearing the organizational garrison cover...and when supporting local Scouting events, and covered, I've rendered the hand salute. I also perform quite a bit of "living history" in uniform of prior eras, and have always followed the conventions of uniformed service while wearing historic uniform. When all is said and done, I believe it has always been in good taste to default to the hand salute as a veteran-and I can't imagine any decent person questioning it.

Response by SPC Carson S. made May 9 at 2016 9:53 AM

2016-05-09T09:53:46-04:00

I have always felt that a salute was more appropriate, given my veteran status. Since getting out back in 2012, I have bounced back and forth depending on the circumstance. If I am surrounded by vets, I salute; if I am in the company of civilians, I usually put my hand over my heart (I always felt weird about saluting when no one else was and had some doubt as to whether or not I was authorized to salute). But now that I know the regs (thanks MSgt Curtis Borders), I will always salute from now on.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2017 1:15 PM

2017-07-02T13:15:06-04:00

SPC Alejandro Martinez I am sure, by now, you have received many responses. The Defense Authorization Act of 2008 really paved the way for Veterans to, essentially, follow the same customs as in military service. Remember, if following military custom, you do not recite the pledge. You salute and remain silent. The same is for hoisting lowering or passing of the colors! The playing of our National Anthem is also authorized a hand salute for veterans. Alternatively, you may of course, salute by placing your hand over your heart (I chose the former as a wonderful right we earned as service to our country!).

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 2 at 2017 3:32 PM

2017-07-02T15:32:27-04:00

I salute hand to temple, haven't been told not to by any military officers that I know.

Response by SPC Jasen E. made Jul 2 at 2017 4:09 PM

2017-07-02T16:09:47-04:00

Ok here's a question. I read the article above concerning the salute to the flag, and it mentions that retirees not in uniform may render a salute. It then mentions that non uniformed retirees should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it over there left shoulder. But if I decide I'm going to salute and I have a civilian hat on (as a retiree) can I just leave the hat on and salute in a manner appropriate for wearing a hat? ...or do I still need to remove the hat and render my salute afterwards?

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 2 at 2017 5:43 PM

2017-07-02T17:43:06-04:00

Hand over heart for me when saying Pledge or during National Anthem. I return salute from gate guard. Once I hung up the uniform, I felt comfortable acting like a Civilian. Didn't have an occasion to wear the uniform during the last 20 years.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2017 6:49 PM

2017-07-02T18:49:31-04:00

Knife hand to the edge of your eyebrow

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2017 8:00 PM

2017-07-02T20:00:31-04:00

Hand salute. We all earned the right to salute our flag.

Response by PO3 Michael James made Jul 2 at 2017 9:39 PM

2017-07-02T21:39:01-04:00

SPC Martinez, Sir:... Funny thing, but unless I think before I act, I find myself starting to place my right hand just above my right eye brow.... oops, but what the heck its okay as I correct it ... man its been some 45 years.. think I would be over it.. NOT !

Response by SFC Hal Jeauxdevine, BSM w/"V", MSM, PH, Arcom w/“V” made Jul 3 at 2017 1:13 PM

2017-07-03T13:13:44-04:00

I will hand salute until three days after I'm dead. My tombstone will have a U.S Flag on it so that I can salute it in the next life, too.

Response by CMSgt William Reed made Jul 4 at 2017 11:55 AM

2017-07-04T11:55:42-04:00

I still render the Hand Salute to the Flag.

Response by CMSgt William Reed made Jul 4 at 2017 11:58 AM

2017-07-04T11:58:05-04:00

I always render the Hand Salute to the Flag.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Jul 4 at 2017 12:36 PM

2017-07-04T12:36:12-04:00

I have rendered the right hand salute for many years even before the DOD announced that it was OK for civilian veterans to do so.

Response by SPC Don Wynn made Jul 5 at 2017 12:18 PM

2017-07-05T12:18:53-04:00

Hand salute is allowed. Also when TAPS played and at military funeral. We earned that right as veterans.

Response by PO3 Brian Stanton made Mar 25 at 2018 2:56 PM

2018-03-25T14:56:09-04:00

Always hand salute.....I earned that right