If you are a civilian you put your hand over your heart and if you are a military man or woman you salute

 

That's a good standard to go by. Thing is.....if you are now a civilian and not in uniform, a salute is not necessary. It may be habit although. Depends on the presentation. During a parade, you should at least stand and take off your hat no matter what. Hand over heart is for the pledge of allegiance and the Star Spangled Banner, a salute is for the raising of the flag or it's passing displayed by the color guard. As any American you show your respect any way you feel fit to do so depending on the presentation barring any religious preferences. If you've never served in the military and choose to salute the flag upon presentation, then that's your choice. Why would anyone be upset at another for the way in which they choose to honor and respect the flag and what it stands for? Your etiquette is in your heart and mind at this point....not up to anyone else to decide.
If you want to consult Wikipedia, then by all means................

 

We would also salute as scouts in uniform.

 

I only saluted when in uniform, now I cover my heart for more reasons than one.

 

As a civilian I was always taught to place my hand over my heart. Oh, and remove any hat you may be wearing.

 

We saluted at Fire Department funerals when in uniform, but now as "civilian" it is stand with hand over heart. Seems to be a good rule for me. I won't quibble with anyone's form of honoring our flag and Country...as long as it is honored. To each their own.

 

Active military out of uniform are supposed to stand at attention. However, if in civvies, I will admit to putting my hand over my heart just like any normal American.

 

Did that change? I have been out for 5 years and it was that when the flag passes when in uniform you stand at attentions and salute. When not in uniform you stand at attention and put your hand over your heart. Same protocol as a civilian.

As far as the OP. I don't care if someone is saluting the flag if they did not serve. If that guy was upset about it he is an idiot. At least they are not burning it. I swear, some folks can find the most innocent thing to get thier dander up.

 

Military, fire, police, etc(any uniformed entity in the service of his/her community, state, or nation)....... In uniform and covered (outdoors wearing your uniform hat), salute. Otherwise, in civilian colthes, stand at attention, hand over your heart.

Now, if some young'un or an adult salutes the colors, that's just fine. It may or may not be a good time to educate them on the 'proper' way to render honors to our national ensign, but the simple jesture of 'them' showing respect makes me feel better than when I see hats remaining on a head and/or a complete disregard for the flag in general......... oh well, I fought for them too.

Dosn't mean I won't let 'em know what I think of their actions either......

Your right suntzu

 

I can see why Herknav is confused LOL. (unless they did change the protocol). He is a C-130 navigator. Know how many times the AF on MC-130's tried to drop us early or late on CARP drop zones LOL. At least MFF we did our own release point.

 

Etiquette calls for civilians and non-veterans to stand and place the hand over the heart. Military/Police/Firefighters stand and give the military salute. Military in civilian clothes and veterans salute in either fashion.

 

It appears I was trained incorrectly. I'm ashamed that it took me that long to realize it. Thanks for pointing it out.

Having said that, I find nothing in US Title Code 4, Chapter 1, Section 9 that addresses police or firefighters as a separate class of people. Do you have a reference?

 

I find nothing in US Title Code 4, Chapter 1, Section 9 that addresses police or firefighters as a separate class of people. Do you have a reference?

I'll have to dig deeper than google lets me right now, but the rule that I read was that any uniformed 'entity' in the service of the people (be it local, state, national) that is reconized by the the United States and took/swore and oath to that service will salute the flag while in uniform.

Boy scouts are a form of military and started by a ret colonel that seen the need for boys to have structure and it's not a full hand salute.



Once you are in the military you are always in, it never leave you and you never leave it. A uniform is nice but I don't need one to tell me where my roots are..... You can take the man out of the military but you will never take the military out of the man
So if I stand up and salute my country’s flag I hope you can understand

You earned it!

 

I suppose the grumpy guy gets angry every time this picture comes up.

 

I suppose the grumpy guy gets angry every time this picture comes up.

View attachment 59368

Who wants to tell this lil' guy he's outta uniform and not rendering properly?

 

Actually since 2008 veterans and military retirees are include with active-duty military in civilian attire who are now authorized to salute the flag while it is raised, lowered or passing whether covered or not. I do. "Men not in uniform", i.e. civilians or those who have never served remove their hat and cover their heart as has always been proper etiquette but sadly seems to seldom be followed.

Rules for Rendering Hand Salute of U.S. Flag - Military Benefits - Military.com

 

We would also salute as scouts in uniform.

Boy scouts are a form of military and started by a ret colonel that seen the need for boys to have structure and it's not a full hand salute.

That's a good standard to go by. Thing is.....if you are now a civilian and not in uniform, a salute is not necessary. It may be habit although

Once you are in the military you are always in, it never leave you and you never leave it. A uniform is nice but I don't need one to tell me where my roots are..... You can take the man out of the military but you will never take the military out of the man
So if I stand up and salute my country’s flag I hope you can understand

 

I am much more troubled by the guy who sits there drinking his beer and carrying on his conversation while remaining covered than by those who aren't sure whether they should salute or not. Happily, the former is the exception rather than the norm.

 

These days please appreciate any sincere and honest display of respect for our flag by the general civilian population.
If you want to politely correct somebody for improper flag etiquette then that is fine but, (for sure) do it with kindness as VS anger.
The mere fact that they are showing some form respect for the flag at all in 2012 puts you both on the same side of an ever increasingly rare fence.

 

I couldn't agree more...
Respect is respect, and I'm not going to split hairs over the 'proper format'.
The fence that QKS speaks of is growing increasing 'overpopulated' on the wrong side.OMOYMV

 

In these modern times we're extremely lucky that kids even KNOW who RICHARD STANDS is.

Enjoy! & May God Bless America. :usflag: