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Do you salute an officer in civilian clothes?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jan 25, 2026

You don't have to salute indoors, except when you report to a superior officer. If either person is wearing civilian clothes and you do not recognize the other person as a superior officer, salutes are unnecessary.

Should a civilian salute an officer?

"Civilian personnel, to include civilian guards, are not required to render the hand salute to military personnel or other civilian personnel. "Salutes are not required to be rendered or returned when the senior or subordinate, or both are in civilian attire."

Can you salute if you're not in uniform?

Not in uniform: Do not salute if you are not in uniform. Come to attention and place your right hand over your heart. Remove your hat with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder while your right hand is over the heart.

Is saluting as a civilian disrespectful?

TLDR – Civilians should face the flag and place their right hand over their heart during the National Anthem. Saluting the flag is a gesture reserved for the military. While civilians can salute soldiers, many veterans consider it inappropriate or awkward.

When in civilian clothes What should you do when a flag passes in front of you?

2.3. When in civilian attire, recite the Pledge of Allegiance standing at attention, facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men should remove their headdress with the right hand and hold it over their left shoulder, hand over the heart.

43 related questions found

Do you stand at parade rest in civilian clothes?

When speaking to or being addressed a noncommissioned officer of superior rank, stand at parade rest until ordered otherwise. It does not state anything about the uniform you wear.

Do you salute with your right hand?

Specifically, a proper salute goes as follows: Raise the right hand sharply, fingers and thumb extended and joined, palm facing down, and place the tip of the right forefinger on the rim of the visor, slightly to the right of the eye.

Do officers salute Medal of Honor recipients?

Military tradition dictates all uniformed service members salute to Medal-of-Honor awardees regardless of rank. Even the most-senior military officer will participate in this tradition out of respect for the sacrifices the awardees made.

How do you salute properly?

The outer edge of the hand is held slightly downward, with the hand and wrist straight. A proper salute will have the elbow slightly forward with the upper arm horizontal. The salute ends with the right hand sharply returned to the side, and the position of attention should be maintained.

Do warrant officers salute officers?

Since all warrant officers are non-commissioned officers, they are not saluted.

Do you salute during taps at a funeral?

During a military funeral, members of the Armed Forces are expected to wear their service dress uniform and be prepared to salute when: the hearse passes in front of them, anytime the flag-draped casket is moved, during the formal gun salute, during the playing of Taps and when the casket is lowered into the ground.

Can a civilian salute the flag?

Saluting the American Flag when in civilian attire

MEN remove hats and hold at left shoulder with hand over heart; without hat, place right hand, palm open, over heart. WOMEN should place right hand, palm open, over heart. WOMEN may continue to wear headwear, although it is appropriate to remove all caps.

What is Purple Heart in military?

Currently, the Purple Heart, per regulation is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after April 5, 1917 has been wounded, killed, or has died after ...

How do you say hello in military?

Errr... - (U.S. Marines) An abbreviated or unmotivated "Oorah". Often used as a form of acknowledgment or greeting. Yes, we really do walk around saying "Errr" at one another in the way normal civilized humans say "Hello."

Can civilians wear dog tags?

Civilians can legally wear dog tags. Yet, attempting to use the dog tags for personal gain may be considered an act of stolen valor, which is a punishable offense. Some veterans and active military members may consider it disrespectful, while others do not care.

Can civilians wear reverse flag?

Yes, civilians can wear American flag patches on their clothing in the same manner as the military wear. Wearing anywhere else can be seen as disrespectful, so be careful and not forget to follow the proper rules to avoid disrespecting the American flag.

How do you salute an officer?

The hand and wrist are straight, the elbow inclined slightly forward, and the upper arm horizontal. A well-executed salute is crisp, quick, and immediate, with both subordinate and senior officer making the movement in a professional gesture of respect and recognition of that respect.

How do you salute an officer while walking?

A salute indoors is rendered only when reporting to an officer. Walk on the left of and slightly behind an officer or NCO of superior rank.

Do enlisted salute officers?

Salutes are not exchanged between enlisted members. Second lieutenants are required to salute first lieutenants. The “unwritten rule” that there is no rank amongst lieutenants does not follow military standards.

Who is the highest decorated soldier ever?

Audie Murphy (1924–1971) was the most decorated soldier in US history, winning 24 medals from the Congressional Medal of Honor down. His exploits were the subject of To Hell and Back (USA, 1956), in which he starred as himself.

Has anyone won 2 Medals of Honor?

To date, the maximum number of Medals of Honor earned by any service member has been two. The last living individual to be awarded two Medals of Honor was John J. Kelly October 3, 1918; the last individual to receive two Medals of Honor for two different actions was Smedley Butler, in 1914 and 1915.

How much is a Vietnam Purple Heart worth?

They are sold for about $30 at a military base, and even though they are only meant for recipients looking for a replacement, often the sellers don't ask for proof of eligibility.

What does a left handed salute mean?

Left Handed Salutes. Actually only the Naval services (Navy and Marine Corps) are authorized to salute with the left hand when necessary. This usually means when your right hand/ arm is incapacitated due to injury but it can also apply at other times.

What does a slow salute mean?

Occasionally you will see slow salutes during a flag-passing ceremony as part of a retirement to indicate respect for the flag and the person who is retiring.

What are the 3 types of salutes?

You will surprised to know the meaning behind the salutes of our tri-services, read on to find that out:

  • Indian Army - Open palm facing the person in front. ...
  • Indian Navy - Open palm facing the ground. ...
  • Indian Air Force - Open palm at a 45 degree angle to the ground.