What is the military protocol... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MercFan · #1 11-18-2010, 02:40 PM

My uncle is a Major in the Polish army - some time ago he was visiting us here in the US for my sister's wedding. During the pre-wedding party social there there were other members of the extended family that were soldiers in the US army (though they were not in uniform). It wasn't a very formal setting but they were casually introduced.... they shook hands but there were no salutes exchanged. That made me wonder as to why the Private did not salute the Major even though they were both introduced by rank and were told of their military associations - is it because they were both out of uniform?! Not sure what the protocol is with regards to foreign officers...

No worries... there was no international incident as a result,

but it made me wonder what the proper military protocol is in this case.

Stretch · #2 11-18-2010, 02:44 PM

Indeed being out of uniform you shouldn't salute - if you were a real crawly bum lick you might stand to attention though.

#3 11-18-2010, 03:24 PM

Up until VERY recently, it was not proper for a soldier or veteran to salute out of uniform. Within the last few years, however, it has become proper to salute THE US FLAG out of uniform for either an active duty soldier or veteran. ONLY the flag, not another member.

Had the gentlemen you mentioned been in uniform even though of different countries, it would have been totally proper military etiquette for the person lower in rank to salute an officer of a higher rank. It is not proper to salute an enlisted man, only officers. The lower rank holds the salute until it is returned by the ranking officer.

I'm sure that the details of these traditions very from country to country.

All this said, it is possible that the military courtesy I learned over 40 years ago is different today.

BobK · #4 11-18-2010, 03:37 PM

I have heard of one "unofficial" exception to the no officer saluting enlisted man rule. SSGT Giunta, memtioned recently, and his brave like were that exception, from what I have heard.

MercFan · #5 11-18-2010, 03:43 PM

Ok - thanks, that makes sense... like I said, it was 'informal' so it wasn't a big deal, but good info on the subject anyway - thx.

#6 11-18-2010, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobK

I have heard of one "unofficial" exception to the no officer saluting enlisted man rule. SSGT Giunta, memtioned recently, and his brave like were that exception, from what I have heard.

I'm not sure exactly what you're saying, but any soldier, enlisted or commissioned with the CMH is saluted by any officer of any level. They deserve a salute from as many people as the General of the Army.

Pooka · #7 11-18-2010, 07:10 PM

www.vanderbilt.edu/army/customs.ppt

It states that if out of uniform no salutes.

Angel · #8 11-18-2010, 10:48 PM

6yrs active Navy, 10yrs Ohio Air guard here-

I'd never salute another .mil member if either of us was not in uniform (unless previously informed otherwise). I would always say "good morning/afternoon/evening sir" out of deference/tradition. If I say this and they give me crap for not saluting, then I'll take that.

I've seen a lot of AF and USN places where if you are indoors (and uncovered- no hat) then you do not salute. Usually these are engineering spaces, flightlines and other shops where hats are not worn when working.

-John

BobK · #9 11-19-2010, 08:18 AM

Yeah Larry, that was what I was saying. Even a general would salute a private who had been awarded the MOH. As should we all.
I believe there is also in protocol some sort of ranking of civil dignataries (Mayors, Governors, Congressmen) that equates them with specific ranks.

#10 11-19-2010, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angel

6yrs active Navy, 10yrs Ohio Air guard here-

I'd never salute another .mil member if either of us was not in uniform (unless previously informed otherwise). I would always say "good morning/afternoon/evening sir" out of deference/tradition. If I say this and they give me crap for not saluting, then I'll take that.

I've seen a lot of AF and USN places where if you are indoors (and uncovered- no hat) then you do not salute. Usually these are engineering spaces, flightlines and other shops where hats are not worn when working.

-John

Somehow your post reminded me of something humorous that happened to me when in the Army.

We had a new Lieutenant as Battery Commander. We both showed up at the outfit on the same day and we had only been there about a week. I had received a promotion, but the orders didn't catch up to me until that time. I happened to be in Civvy's and someone told me "the old man" wanted to see me. That was humorous in itself because I'm quite sure he was younger than me.

I stopped by the orderly room and the First Sergeant took me in "the old man's" office. I didn't salute because I was in Civvy's and that was okay, but when the "old man" went to present me with my Buck Sergeant pins he started to pin them on my Civvy shirt. The First Sergeant corrected him. It was an awkward moment for the shave tail.

He turned out to be a good guy and he was part of a circle of us that hung around and drank together on a first name basis. It was not proper for officers to fraternize with enlisted men, but we were remotely located and got by with it.