Question for the military folks

[merithyn]

So, this weekend, I got to watch Alcibades be sworn in as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. It involved, as all things military do, a lot of pomp, circumstance, and rules. It was fun watching all of it go on, but as a civilian, it kind of left me confused on some of the protocol.

Alci told me that civilians don't salute officers, but who does? I mean, do retired military? Do those who opted out after five years? Does a Naval Seaman salute an Army Lieutenant? How does all of that work? And how do civilians show deference to an officer if they so choose to do so?

Also, there was a silver dollar given to the first person to salute the officers. Alci chose the person to whom he gave his coin, as did the other officers. How is that decided? At what point did it become "choose your person" from "the first person to do it"?

I'd ask Alci, but he and his not-fiance left yesterday, and this is a bit much to try to ask in texts.

[derspiess]

Civilians just don't need to salute anyone.  Why would they?  Dunno about retired-- I think that's optional.

But across branches, enlisted men (and lower-ranked officers) are supposed to show military courtesy (salute) to officers.

When you get your 2LT bars, you choose who gives you your first salute-- it's considered an honor.  Often it's an NCO who is a family member or was a mentor.  A buddy of mine had his dad who was a retired Sergeant Major give him his first salute.

[The Brain]

Maybe I'm just being Swedish but Americans saluting when not wearing a hat looks totally weird.

[derspiess]

Swedes

[Capetan Mihali]

swedish rifle 4 sale dropped once never fired full of ball bearings lololol

[The Minsky Moment]

Just make sure he doesn't get posted to Sicily.

[Caliga]

Civilians just don't need to salute anyone.  Why would they? 

There have been societies where that was expected/required, but historically we seem to have been enemies with them.

[Admiral Yi]

Just make sure he doesn't get posted to Sicily.

I don't get it.

[derspiess]

Just make sure he doesn't get posted to Sicily.

I don't get it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Expedition

Alcibiades began the conflict as one of the Athenian commanders, but was recalled to Athens to face trial and subsequently defected to Sparta.

[merithyn]

Civilians just don't need to salute anyone.  Why would they? 

How does a civilian show the proper respect for an officer, then? I mean, assuming that they wanted to.

[KRonn]

If I remember right from my Navy days, sailors (marines also?) don't salute while in-doors but other services do.

[The Brain]

Civilians just don't need to salute anyone.  Why would they? 

How does a civilian show the proper respect for an officer, then? I mean, assuming that they wanted to.

How do you show respect to people when you want to? Try doing the same when meeting officers. Also, what's the proper respect a civilian should show an officer?

[Admiral Yi]

How does a civilian show the proper respect for an officer, then? I mean, assuming that they wanted to.

I would suggest saying "hey GI, me love you long time."

[Caliga]

 

I now have 2 Live Crew stuck in my head.  THANKS.

[merithyn]

If I remember right from my Navy days, sailors (marines also?) don't salute while in-doors but other services do.

Yeah, that came up, too. They had to do the dollar-salute ceremony outside after the big ceremony thingie was done.