|
May 2010 |
| Copyright © 2001-2003 the author.
May be copied as-is for Cadet training purposes with appropriate citation. All other rights reserved. CadetStuff.org: powered by |
|
|
Yo, yo, yo! Recognize!Dr. Drill |
|
|
You can submit your questions to Dr. Drill via e-mail to : DrDrill@CadetStuff.org. Dr. Drill, Dr. Drill RespondsSemper Fi, L.B. Nice to have you aboard. Dr. Drill is always happy to assist his brothers and sisters from all the uniformed services. This is a good question! Saluting is a tough habit to break and is an honor accorded only to military persons from military persons. In fact, prisoners of war lose the priviledge of saluting, did you know that? So, saluting is part of what makes the military community a 'band of brothers'. Congratulations for wanting to keep it up. You didn't mention exactly what you wanted to salute during ceremonies. Was it a person or the flag? The answer is different depending on branch of service and what you're doing. Let's take the person first... If you're in civilian clothes should you return or initiate a salute? Well, according to a nifty-shifty protocol guide Dr. Drill found on the web (Google is a wonderful thing!), as a Marine, you do not. I quote: Saluting when not in uniform and uncovered is not usually performed by members of the Naval Services. You may see this practice in the Army and/or the Air Force. If you are saluted and you are not in uniform or in uniform and not covered, tradition dictates that you do not salute. Instead you may great the person saluting you with "Good Morning", "Good Afternoon", or "Good Evening" depending on the situation. If you approach someone who is senior to you and you are in civilian attire, you do not salute. Instead, you may say "Good Morning Sir or Ma'am" depending on the situation. Simple enough, eh? It isn't surprising that the Army and Air Force treat this differently: they also salute indoors when reporting but not under arms. Just one of those little things that give each branch its own special flavor. Mmmm! Anyway, a few years ago Dr. Drill was at a ceremony where two Medal of Honor winners were present. One of them, an Army veteran who had earned his medal in Korea, returned all the salutes that were delivered to him. And, according to what is appropriate for his branch, he was absolutely correct to do so. So, that covers saluting people. What about at other times? Let's see, there's colors (morning and evening), parades where the colors are passing you, and military funerals (as the flag-draped casket is passing or as 'Taps' is being played). The simple answer here is that if you're in uniform a military salute is appropriate; if you're in civilian clothing you should place your right hand over your heart. If you're wearing a hat, it should be removed and held in the right hand while you place your hand over your heart. Regardless of your status (civilian or military, in uniform or out), you should always come to attention. Our reference for this is the United States Code (that's a federal law, ladies and gents!): ยง 171. Conduct during playing While we're on the subject of saluting during ceremonies, Dr. Drill has noted a horrifying lack of proper flag etiquette among his fellow Americans. Hey, people! If you're at a sports event and the National Anthem plays, STAND AT ATTENTION AND FACE THE FLAG! Don't be looking around at the players, checking out the honey two rows down and four seats over or nibbling on your 'peanuts and Cracker Jacks'. This is not rocket science: it's respect. And, holy cow!, if you're walking back to your seat with an armload of garbage you probably shouldn't be stuffing in your face anyway (Did anyone else notice how daggone FAT Americans are? Jeez!), if the National Anthem plays DO WHAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO! Don't keep waddling your Bad Self back to your seat. Another often neglected point of flag etiquette and respect is standing as the colors pass during a parade. Dr. Drill knows someone who marched the flag in a Memorial Day parade only last year. Hundreds of people lined the parade route and almost NOBODY stood! Most of the people reading this know correct flag etiquette. If you don't know it, learn it! The American Legion is a bastion of patriotism and provides free flag-retirement ceremonies. Their web site has an outstanding section on flag etiqutte. So check out their site and write Dr. Drill a 500 word essay on flag protocol with footnotes and a bibliography; have it ready to turn in the first day after vacation! And in the meantime, I hope that answers your question, Marine. Dr. Drill |
|
