Rendering a salute during Retreat and Reveille when alone

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 00:40:56 -0400

Just for discussion, I ask:

Would you render this courtesy if you knew that you were the only one around for as far as the eye could see? I was thinking about this during my last battle assembly when I was putting something into storage conex and was completely isolated.

At first I felt kind of silly, but then after going to "order arms" when Retreat was complete, I felt some sense of pride that I show respect, not because of pressure from others around, but because of my own sense of doing what is right.

To many times, people hide in cars or run into buildings. I respectfully called-out a 1LT for doing that once, and have escorted many enlisted back outside during my time.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Oct 30 at 2014 12:42 AM

SPC Charles Brown — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 00:42:42 -0400

Always, it didn't matter to me whether I was alone or in a group. It is called courtesy for a reason. I believe you have the right attitude about it from reading the original message. Thanks for starting this topic.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Oct 30 at 2014 12:55 AM

CPT Chris Loomis — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 00:55:09 -0400

I have, do and always will. HOOOAH!!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 12:55 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 00:55:40 -0400

Yes, most definitely would salute. Always.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 2:51 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 02:51:55 -0400

I got caught all the time in an isolated place while in Africa. Bad time management on my part to download the AM coffee too close to reveille. Yes, I saluted every time. It doesn't matter if other troops are around or not, rendering honors is a part of military life, and frankly I enjoy the pause in the daily grind.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 9:46 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 09:46:51 -0400

THis seems to be common among all services. I see people running for cars/buildings when the tune starts up over the speakers... hell, even seen a couple LTC's that couldn't be bothered to quit their conversation and stood inside the entrance of the Class 6 on base waiting for it to end.

Pretty sad, but people hate being bothered

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Oct 30 at 2014 9:50 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 09:50:21 -0400

Absolutely ... It is "respect", not a show for someone that does not need to be done if nobody is around.

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Sep 6 at 2016 11:19 PM

TSgt Joe C. — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 23:19:23 -0400

You do what's right every time, whether there are people around or you're alone.

Response by SPC Jimmy Bowling made Oct 2 at 2017 7:48 PM

SPC Jimmy Bowling — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 19:48:38 -0400

I remember the day that my recruiter brought me to MEPS at Maxwell AFB in Alabama. I was 16 years old at the time. As we were driving he pulled the car over and stopped and asked me to get out. He came over and stood beside me and just looked thoughtful for a few minutes. He then began giving me my first lesson in Military Manners and Courtesies. He explained to me why Reveille and Retreat were played every day and how the soldiers in uniform and out of uniform and civilians are supposed to show proper respect. As we stood there, he checked his watch and told me to face the flag and once the cannons fired to place my hand over my heart just like I would for the National Anthem. When the ceremony began I watched him come to attention and salute the Flag until the ceremony ended. I watched people, both Military and civilians honor our Flag and the playing of Retreat all around us. At that time, I truly felt as if I was part of something amazing and from that day on I never missed a morning or evening ceremony.

I did see different ways of doing the ceremony on many of the posts that I was stationed at. I loved Ft.Stewart, Ga.. While there everyone was required to be at both morning Reveille and evening Retreat formations. No excuse. SFC Squires was correct in saying that people would hide hoping to catch those who thought they could get away with failing to show proper honors. You did not want to get caught not doing it cause the consequences were sometimes harsh even to the civilians.

For a civilian to not stop their car or get out of it could mean driving privileges revoked on some posts.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2017 8:34 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 20:34:40 -0400

I always pay respect, and never consider if someone is looking.