Finally

Did not realize this was such an issue. I do have one question: does one return the salute of a gate guard when one is not on active duty or in uniform?

Way back in the old days I was taught that rendering a salute was a courtesy and a sign of respect. I always returned the gate guards salute whether I was in uniform or not, simply out of courtesy and respect.

I never gave it much thought until recently. A soldier from our local NG unit was killed in Iraq a couple of months ago by the name of Matt Soper. I went to the route the funeral procession was taking from the local Catholic High School to the gravesite to pay my respects and when his motorcade came by with the motorcycle escort carrying the flag I placed my hand over my heart like I was supposed to.....but right then I REALLY wanted to salute, seemed a little more respectful. Thanks Sen. Inhofe!!

I've always saluted, and no one ever said anything to me. I didn't even know I was wrong!

Glad to see someone has given it some thought!

When I am out of uniform, I place my hand over my heart. Maybe it's because I'm a Marine and we don't render salutes unless wearing a cover, which implies being in uniform. The new law seems a bit trite to me, to be honest. Place your hand over your heart like any other citizen, because that is what you are.

Not like any other citizen, but a veteran.

Slab,

I always placed my hand over my heart too because that was the reg. I like the change, probably because this line makes the most sense;

"Veterans and service members continue representing the military services even when not in uniform."

and remember, you'll be a former Marine one day, things might look a little different then!!

Slab-
I'm with you. Navy guy here, and I was taught that the sea services DON'T salute unless in uniform. I still find it funny when an Army guy tries to salute in PT gear, or if I'm in my car (in civvies), and an AF gate guard expects a return salute.
Simply put, members of the sea services traditionally do not salute unless covered, in uniform.

For us Army types, the APFU (Army Physical Fitness Uniform) is a uniform. Ergo, we render proper courtesies to any and all officers we meet.

Anon,

It's not just the sea services, it is a service wide regulation....all branches.

I'm just saying that I would welcome the change, less confusion. BTW keep in mind that it is a proposed change at this point.

"When I am out of uniform, I place my hand over my heart."

God, I love the marines and am so glad they are on our side. It is disrespectful to salute the flag when not in uniform. It is disrespectful to pass a law like this!

and while we are at it, why not bring back the Bellamy Salute?

Placing my hand over my heart is rendering appropriate honors, as far as I am concerned. The salute is a form of respect, not the form of respect. I believe it is out of place to salute in civilian clothes. This gesture by Sen Inhofe ranks up there with "Freedom Fries" in my opinion.

SWO Daddy.......Why?

Let's remember that the POTUS is always in civilian clothes.

"It is disrespectful to salute the flag when not in uniform. It is disrespectful to pass a law like this!"

WTF? That makes no sense at all.

But don't worry, SWO Daddy. With thinking like yours, paying any sort of respect for the flag will likely be outlawed in a few years anyway.

Slab

I'll agree to disagree with you on this but "Freedom Fries" were just plain silly. There's nothing silly about saluting the flag even if I am "just a citizen" now.

If we end up with a bunch of non-uniformed people with sloppy salutes, I'm inclined to support the current policy of the hand over the heart.

As far as saluting in uniform... while in uniform it is obvious who the other person is with regard to rank.

Out of uniform, it's hard to tell. The Army APFU uniform poses some iteresting problems with respect to rank and who is supposed to salute who if you don't know them.

"Just a citizen"??
I'm retired, but subject to recall if necessary. I will never be "just a citizen"!

The corresponding house bill is H.R.3380.IH

No one is "just a citizen", whether they served or not.

Joel, remember the National Anthem before the games in Cameron Hall? Was it considered any less respectful to stand at the position of attention during the Anthem? Honestly, I wouldn't be stirring the pot if I didn't get the sense that some out there feel that some injustice is being righted here.

Everything I've read above indicates that some believe allowing a veteran to salute is an injustice, not the other way around...

The new law seems a bit trite to me, to be honest. Place your hand over your heart like any other citizen, because that is what you are.

It is disrespectful to salute the flag when not in uniform. It is disrespectful to pass a law like this!

This is absurd - that some are acually UPSET that non-uniformed prior service people want to salute.

How does saluting show disrespect? I think that both placing your hand over your heart and saluting show respect, just in different ways.

I'm proud of my service. These days, with the military once again being treated poorly, I'd gladly "out" myself as a former serviceman and take the heat.

I see that some don't want to let anyone know of their service/former service. I say they should fade into the woodwork, where they belong, and leave the rest of us alone.

Been out of uniform 41 years. Didn't realize I was such a lawbreaker. Every time I reflect on what this country means to me, I get the urge to salute the flag. And if one is around, I do. I don't give a hoot for the funny looks I get.

And whether or not the bill passes, I'll continue. Let 'em write me up.

Obviously my statements have been taken as representing a harder line than they really do. That's my fault for poor phrasing. Yes, I do think saluting out of uniform is out of place; but if it's important to you, knock yourself out, regardless of the outcome of this bill. You have earned that right.

I still think the bill itself is plain silly. No one, and I do mean no one, would attempt any sort of action against a veteran rendering a salute before this issue was raised. I've gotten a sense from multiple sources that many feel that Sen Inhofe is righting a great wrong or something. That irritates me a bit. Maybe I'm just being contrary, but I think it's a bit silly to cheer for this bill when it's basically a meaningless gesture.

I think it's a bit silly to cheer for this bill when it's basically a meaningless gesture.

I concur. If only politicians would spend more effort on keeping themselves from infringing on our actual rights, rather than inventing new "rights" that we already have.

Just one guy's opinion, but I'd always viewed the right hand over the heart as being in fact a salute, and always went with the appropriate form of salute for the attire - civvies hand over heart, Boy Scout 3 finger, or military. I've never thought of one as either more or less respectful.

Obviously, no one's ever going to prosecute a veteran for rendering a technically improper salute if they feel it's appropriate (certain non-salutary salutes excluded, I suppose), so I guess I'd ally myself with those who feel this is a solution in search of a problem.

I'm attending a funeral today. I'll be in 'civies' though I'll be wearing Patriot Guard Rider colors and a Ride Captain's headgear.
I'll also be presenting a United States Flag to the widow of a fellow biker, a former U.S. Marine and a man who was ANYTHING but "like any other civilian". As requested by our brother, there will be no full blown military honors detail today. His local motorcycle club is loaded with vets who have asked the PGR to attend. They have asked me to present the flag we placed in respect on this Marine's coffin.

So, gentlemen, do I salute after giving her the flag? Or do I simply tip my hat and say, "Have a nice day, ma'am"
Any and all of you that have EVER donned a uniform of this country's Armed Forces KNOW the answer to that question. With tears in my eyes and as much military bearing as this old soldier can still muster, I'll say the words and I WILL render that salute. Three seconds up. Hold. Three seconds down. I'll execute a right face and step away.

And silly or not, 'busy work' or not, whether it ever actually makes it into a field manual or not, there will be a piece of paper attached to our Constitution that says the government of our country FINALLY and officially recognizes that VETERANS do indeed continue to represent the United States Military whether in or OUT of uniform.

"Let it be a symbol of the grateful appreciation this nation feels for the distinguished service rendered to our country and our flag ...."

Semper Fi

The oath has no expiration date. I salute with pride.