Respecting the Military Protocol: The US President's Salute

It is a widely accepted protocol for the President of the United States to salute members of the military, especially when the President is in uniform. This gesture is a symbol of respect and recognition for their service. However, when the President is not in uniform, it is customary to acknowledge military personnel with a nod or a wave, rather than a formal salute. The specific protocols may vary depending on the context and the setting, but the underlying principle is a mutual respect between the Commander-in-Chief and military personnel.

Proper Salute by the President

According to military protocol, the President can choose to return a salute from the US military, although it is not compulsory. This is because, despite being the Commander-in-Chief of all US military forces, the President is typically considered a civilian. While the President is part of the chain of command, they retain their civilian status. Moreover, even currently serving service members are not required to salute the President when in civilian clothing.

My Observations: Honoring the Past Commanders-in-Chief

As someone with over 40 years of experience in the US Army, I often reflect on the respect shown to former Presidents, including the current and past ones. However, whether I liked them or not, I have equal respect for each as former Presidents of the United States.

Through my research, I have found varied examples of salutes, both perfect and imperfect, by different Presidents. The photos below showcase the range of salutes:

And this is a less perfect example:

Conclusion

Any President who has served in the military should aim to display a near-perfect salute if they choose to return one. This shows utmost respect and recognition for the military personnel's service. In military protocol, the salute is a sign of respect, and every effort should be made to perform it properly.

Additional Notes

If you're concerned about a specific President's salute and believe it may have been less than perfect, know that there are many examples of excellent salutes as well. For instance:

This image provides an example of a President performing a more respectable salute, further validating the point that every effort should be made to return a proper salute.