Saluting officers in civilian clothing when coming onto an AF base: Should it be done?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 11:56:43 -0400

Should AF security personnel at the base entrance salute officers that are in civilian clothing when they enter the base? And should the officer return the salute? I've asked multiple senior enlisted soldiers and multiple field grade officers this question with mixed results.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 6 at 2015 12:21 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 06 May 2015 12:21:09 -0400

Back in the day at Fort Gordon, all us OBC "wonders" had stickers on our cars so the gate guards would salute because they say the identifying sticker whether or not is was me or my wife driving the car. If the officer is recognized by a gate guard a salute is certainly warranted but not mandatory. The officer out of respect should return the salute in response if one is rendered.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 6 at 2015 12:34 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 06 May 2015 12:34:26 -0400

Yes.

If there is a Blue Decal on the car, or you see a Geneva Convention Card which identifies the Officer, you render appropriate greetings.

USMC/USN/USCG - 10. To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.
USA - 7. Guards on post salute individuals as prescribed in AR 600-25.
USAF - Does not specifically prescribe saluting as part of General Orders.

When a salute is rendered, it is a courtesy to respond. A "Carry on," Nod, "Thank you," or a Salute is appropriate at the officers discretion.

Response by MSG William Wold made May 6 at 2015 12:38 PM

MSG William Wold — Wed, 06 May 2015 12:38:22 -0400

Well I believe the regulation states you salute when you recognize the person as an officer. A little humor here. I had a roommate fresh out of basic, 2900 miles away from home and just turned 18. He had a chance to go to the PX, (first time at the first duty station) and wanted me to go but I was putting things away, tired and didn't feel like going. He was walking on the sidewalk, and an officer walked by. He knew it was an officer, but being new there he had no idea who he was. (they were both in uniform)The officer stopped him and demanded to know why he didn't salute him. Well officer, I'm new here and I know the regulation says to salute when you recognize an officer, but I've never seen you before. The officer actually laughed, and explained to him the difference in the mindset of how it is supposed to be recognize the person as being an officer, not that you personally know him. I don't believe he forgot that lesson..

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 12:37 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 12:37:15 -0400

I know what you mean. I believe it is just the rank that is being saluted. I know my wife wanted me to become an Officer/WO so she as a military spouse could get saluted. I am not 100% sure the Security Personnel/MP are still doing that. I would think that would be more of a question to be asked. Have a good day Sir.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 12:38 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 12:38:05 -0400

I've always thought it was weird being saluted while in civvies, but if I receive one I'm gonna return it. It'd be very rude to not return it in my opinion.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 12:39 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 12:39:02 -0400

I've wondered this myself, being stationed at Tinker. I figure that if they salute me, I return the courtesy. It seems weird to do it, but it seems rude to leave them hanging.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 12:40 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 12:40:28 -0400

When in doubt, salute the sticker on the car that indicates it is owned by an officer.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made May 6 at 2015 12:50 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Wed, 06 May 2015 12:50:14 -0400

I know each service has its own idiosyncrasies about when/who to salute. Marines never saluted indoors, unless under arms... but, never in civies... except when you were in uniform and they were in civies. But, wait, when checking into an Army command, on a weekend if.... You get my point. Bottom line, don't be afraid to ask of your local customs & courtesies. A salty MCPO, SgtMaj, or equivalent will certainly be available to provide you guidance. How'd that ol' saying go: "When in doubt, whip it out." And don't forget, when that officer is returning a salute, they are saluting YOU, as well. It's a great custom & courtesy. Don't be afraid to use it.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made May 6 at 2015 1:04 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Wed, 06 May 2015 13:04:56 -0400

Just like we do not salute officers when they are out of uniform, we shouldn't salute them out of uniform at the gate. Customs and courtesies should be given though, acknowledgement.

Response by MAJ Pete Joplin made May 6 at 2015 1:11 PM

MAJ Pete Joplin — Wed, 06 May 2015 13:11:10 -0400

1LT Kyle Kennedy,
Let's just get past the "right or wrong" proposition here. The hand salute is the greatest sign of respect in our military. Just because that trooper at the gate "has" to salute you, he is rendering his courtesy to you, not your car, not your sticker, YOU! You must return that respect.
Throughout my 24 years in the Army, I was in units where salutes on weekends at the office or even on the golf course were exchanged. The general custom was, if you knew he/she was an officer who outranked you, you rendered courtesies. The custom was ALWAYS return any salute you ever receive under any circumstance.
You should set a personal goal to return every salute you even think is meant for you for the rest of your military career. That trooper across the street? Keep an eye on him, just to make sure you didn't miss his courtesy.

Response by LTC Jason Ravnsborg made May 20 at 2015 12:43 PM

LTC Jason Ravnsborg — Wed, 20 May 2015 12:43:59 -0400

When in doubt yes Salute. It is a show of respect.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 20 at 2015 4:00 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:00:01 -0400

After 9-11 our Finance Unit was put on guard detail, so I decided to do some rotations with them due to the lack of manpower as a CPT. I had a lot of people in cars saluting me lol

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made May 25 at 2015 11:17 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Mon, 25 May 2015 23:17:07 -0400

I am a retiree and I get saluted when I drive through the gate at a local USAF base for the monthly commissary trip. I look at the Airman, salute smartly in return (I hate doing this seated) and say something like "Climb to Glory" which confuses them. I think it is a good tradition and a high standard.

Response by 1LT Timothy Marienau made May 27 at 2015 2:24 AM

1LT Timothy Marienau — Wed, 27 May 2015 02:24:24 -0400

Security Personnel are not required to salute. They only do this as a curiousy.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made May 27 at 2015 11:52 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Wed, 27 May 2015 11:52:31 -0400

I am not Security Forces though I have worked with them at the gate. We were briefed to salute all officers, Active, Guard, Reserve and even retired regardless of whether or not they are in uniform. You just look for the rank or paygrade on their card and if it's anything O then you salute. Same went for Warrant Officers since we had a considerable Army presence on my last base.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made May 27 at 2015 5:06 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:06:36 -0400

When I did my 8 month stint with SFS we saluted all officers (active/reserve/guard/retired) regardless of what they were wearing.

Response by MSgt John Darchangelo made Dec 15 at 2016 3:50 AM

MSgt John Darchangelo — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 03:50:03 -0500

If you are saluted, return the salute. If you are not in uniform and expect a salute, you are wrong. It could be your father that borrowed your car. I had an officer(?) get out of the car he was driving and attempt to dress me down because I did not salute him when he came through the gate. He, wagging his finger at the blue sticker on his windshield, asked me if I did not see the sticker. I informed him that I do not salute stickers but the rank and there is no rank for a LT on the blue sticker. These are they types of officers I have no respect for.