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Obama just walked past the marine that was standing at the steps of the helicopter saluting without returning the salute. What is the appropriate protocol when a senior officer/commander in chief is saluted?

Not sure of actual protocol but IMHO BO should not return the salute as he has never been in the service. He should also not salute the American flag (not that he does anyway) for the same reason.

Junior always salutes and is expected to maintain the salute until returned or until the senior passes.

Seniors don't necessarily have to salute back, but it is bad form not to IMO. It's a sign of respect. It'd be like me reaching to shake your hand, and you not accepting it.

Actually, Article II, Section 2, Clause I of the Constitution says the President of the United States is Commander-in-Chief of the United States Armed Forces, so I would think that he should return a salute if they are not in a combat area.

I've always thought the same thing Keith. Caught me by surprise when he just walked past. Didn't seem right to me but I don't have any hard info on what is proper.

The junior (subordinate) always initiates the salute (exception being CMH recipient), the officer (superior) will return the salute. There are exceptions but not in this case. The president as Commander in Chief is the highest military authority and as such it is very derogatory that he does not return a subordinates salute.
Every picture you saw of G W Bush deplaning or walking past a service member saluting he returned it.

The President is Commander-in-Chief of five military services. Three of those five do not salute when uncovered. Is it incorrect for the CinC to honor the traditions of the USMC when saluted by a member of that service?

Similarly, the three naval services do not cover when indoors, unless under arms. If there are any doubters out there recruit yourself a friendly Naval officer and have him walk into a Naval Officers' Club covered. He will be very popular. He will owe the house a round of drinks.

Jim

well its not like obama is honorable or respectful of anyone that doesnt support his agenda.

57Coastie wrote:Similarly, the three naval services do not cover when indoors, unless under arms.

You want to demonstrate the difference between uncovered versus covered while armed? I've always enjoyed this scene:

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=01QK5ovQNfE[/youtube]

MeMelYup wrote:The junior (subordinate) always initiates the salute (exception being CMH recipient), the officer (superior) will return the salute. There are exceptions but not in this case. The president as Commander in Chief is the highest military authority and as such it is very derogatory that he does not return a subordinates salute.
Every picture you saw of G W Bush deplaning or walking past a service member saluting he returned it.

The President being Commander in Chief IMHO is still a civilian position not a military position and therefore he should keep his hand down.
MeMelYup, there is no such thing as a CMH or even a congressional medal of honor, its just The "Medal of Honor" no congressional in it. The Citation reads "Congress in the Name of The President of The United States", so if anything its a presidential medal of honor.

As best I can research, there is no protocol for the POTUS returning a salute. It seems that practice was started by Ronald Reagan. While I can find code for saluting the CIC, I do not believe there is any for their returning a salute. There are those on both sides of the issue, just as there are in the recently changed flag code that allows veterans to render a military salute, while in civilian clothes, when saluting the flag. There are veterans for that, and against that

Jan 2013 we won't have to worry about this piece of crap anymore anyway.

G26ster wrote:As best I can research, there is no protocol for the POTUS returning a salute. It seems that practice was started by Ronald Reagan. While I can find code for saluting the CIC, I do not believe there is any for their returning a salute. There are those on both sides of the issue, just as there are in the recently changed flag code that allows veterans to render a military salute, while in civilian clothes, when saluting the flag. There are veterans for that, and against that

I'm fer it.

FWIW, MOH recipients are often saluted as a matter of military tradition, not by edict or code. I posted a video on YouTube where Greg boyington is on there and one thing that threw a couple of panel members was the question, "Is it true that everyone has to salute a Medal of Honor regardless of rank?" Greg Boyington replies, "Not to my knowledge, no." Which is accurate.

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=oV3SAAtb3XY[/youtube]

Dragonfighter wrote: I'm fer it.

FWIW, MOH recipients are often saluted as a matter of military tradition, not by edict or code. I posted a video on YouTube where Greg boyington is on there and one thing that threw a couple of panel members was the question, "Is it true that everyone has to salute a Medal of Honor regardless of rank?" Greg Boyington replies, "Not to my knowledge, no." Which is accurate.

There is not section of Law/US Code that requires the saluting of MOH recipients, but I know that the USAF now requires it. Under AFPAM 34-1202, saluting of MOH recipients was allowed but not required. Air Force Instruction 1-1 was just released at the beginning of August and now requires that all USAF personnel salute MOH recipients.