Saluting A Sailor

[Rocci Newlan]

Is it allowed / appropriate for a civilian (Dad, no military background)

to salute his Sailor / Son? Hooyah! Bravo Zulu! 

 

[Richard Catlin]

I feel my civilian salute is a show of respect toward the military personel. I, not ever being military do not deserve a return salute. I once saluted the captain of a submarine when he was boarding his ship. He nodded his head with a small grin. I was a cavilian working on the ship.

[Adrian Newman]

I agree that I have not earned the right to give a salute to my son (much less know if i'm doing it correctly). The youtube video is a great way to say Thank You.

[Rocci Newlan]

Here is a video of the Gratitude Campaign idea and the implementation of the

"Thank you for your service".(sign)

 

This is what I'll start using to acknowledge all of our fine service people!

 

Thank you all for your interest, concern, and input here!   Bravo Zulu!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSfFYxSdKdo

[Thomas Mazzaccaro]

I agree that a salute is not appropriate.  But how does everyone feel about the efforts of the Gratitude Campaign? They are trying to spread the word about a simple gesture that expresses a "thank you" to our sailors and troops.

[NavyDads Admin, Tim]

     I myself feel the same as those above. I have not earned the right as I am not a superior officer or in the military. I have also found that through talking with the veterans in my hometown that they do not expect to get a handshake from civilians but they do get the ever proud feeling back in them when they get a handshake and a thank you for your service to this great country.

      I have also come to find that as proud as I am to have the freedoms that I have in this great country, and to have 2 sons that will be serving thus said country. I am in no way as patriotic as those that have served their country and wrote that blank check with their blood to uphold said freedoms. I stop where I'm at, remove my hat and lay my right hand across my heart anytime I hear the national anthem even if I'm nowhere near the event.

     I happened to have the priviledge to hear one of said veterans stand up and walk over to a table of young gentlemen talking about the president. He politely asked them what they were doing to change what was wrong with this country if it was so bad to live here. when they couldn't come up with an answer he commenced to tell them to go to North Korea and live for a while under their rulership then come back and talk about how bad it was here. 

[Rocci Newlan]

Thanks everyone!

 

This has been very helpful AND enlightening!

 

Hooyah! Bravo Zulu!

[Larry E Andrews Jr.]

That is a good question. And I hope you get a good response.

[Ray Norberto]

After spending last week with my son after his A School graduation, and his gentle and good humored admonition to Air Force grads at Lackland that he was not a ranking officer and thus did not rate a salute, I have a new understanding of the importance of the salute and its place in the protocol of the military.  My son and his mates take it very seriously, so we should too.  I have always felt as a civilian that I have not earned the privilege of proffering a salute.  But I do shake hands with all servicemen and women I happen to meet.

[Josh Taylor]

It is generally frowned upon for a servicemember to salute anyone that is not an Officer. The salute is a sign of respect and is reserved for appropriate ceremonies. The exception is made by most servicemembers for small children generally because they don't know better and they get excited when someone in the military is around if they are not generally exposed to a lot of military personnel. Not to put a damper on your enthusiasm but to a servicemember a handshake and thank you from family and the general public generally carry more weight than a salute.

[Terry Sutter]

Great question!