That chaps my retired Army ass.

[TomSlick]

Just saw Individual 1 at the capital rotunda for Bush.

When Cadet Bonespurs was ready to leave, he attempted to render a military salute. I have reconciled myself to Presidents returning the salute from aircrews when they board Air Force or Marine One. Other than that, civilians should simply place their hand over the heart. I would prefer that Cadet Bonespurs not even do that.

[HipChick]

1. Thank you for the clarification

I wanted to ask...it looked pathetic...

[TomSlick]

4. Here's a good rule.

If your weren't taught to salute by a swearing NCO, don't salute.

[July]

33. Trump salutes to try to look serious.

Alas, he cannot accomplish that. Ever.

Let's not forget that he has also saluted a North Korean general and the Lincoln sculpture at the Lincoln Memorial.

He's playing grown-up, badly.

[Goodheart]

2. I agree with that, I think.

I don't think Dumbfuck Bonespurs was entitled to salute.

[TomSlick]

5. Clearly not.

[aikoaiko]

3. He was probably relying on his Little Lord Commander Marmalade title.

[TomSlick]

6. I take his salute as an affront to any who have served.

[Me.]

7. He Showed Up?

By himself?

[TomSlick]

10. Malaria was with him.

[Me.]

12. Ah...Thank You

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

8. Reagan started the tradition of presidents giving a military salute

On the History Channel they showed a film of Woodrow Wilson and General Pershing reviewing the troops. Pershing is giving a military salute while Wilson has his top hat removed and over his heart.

[TomSlick]

11. Another thing to hold against Raygun.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

23. Well, Reagan thought he was still on the back lot of MGM

making war pictures with Nancy (Remember "Hellcats of the Navy" ? I will groan for you.)

This Sailor agrees with you. Civilians should place hand over heart. If you didn't wear the uniform, exactly why would you try to effect something you never did before ?

[TomSlick]

26. I shouldn't let it get under my skin so but it really does.

When someone who didn't serve salutes, it seems like mocking.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

29. My Dad, who served in the USMC in Korea (in Chosin)

said exactly that. It felt like a mockery. Didn't go down with him either.

[ProfessorGAC]

34. You Forgot To Mention That He Was Cheating On His Wife

While making those war pictures with Nancy No-Talent. (Not that he was any skilled actor.)

[dflprincess]

19. When he was president Eisenhower didn't even salute the troops

because, by then, he was a civilian. Though it would have been forgivable if Ike had kept saluting.

Reagan was just playing a part.

[GulfCoast66]

20. Well, Reagan was a veteran.

Serious question? Before Reagan, did Presidents who were Veterans salute? I was a little young to pay attention with Carter.

I will have to look it up.

I would our president not salute even if a veteran. It would reinforce the Civilian principal.

[TomSlick]

22. Raygun, it is reported above, started the current practice of the President

returning the salute of service members.

I agree, even if a veteran, the President ought not salute to reinforce the idea of civilian control of the military.

[dflprincess]

27. No, not even Eisehower. Nt

[tblue37]

32. Carter was a Navy man. nt

[cynatnite]

9. When I was a raw recruit, I did a really bad salute to an officer...

He pulled me aside and gave me some pointers. Saluted three or four times until he was sure I got it right.

I hate sloppy salutes and I'm with you on leaving AF1. That's different. I didn't see this, but it sounded like it was half-assed anyway with no real attempt for it to be respectful.

[TomSlick]

13. I think Cadet Bonespurs gave it his best shot.

My problem is that he ought not have tried.

[LiberalFighter]

16. I disagree. He should had tried.

But with his hand encased in steel armor glove.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

25. When I was a new Sailor

I was always getting gigged on my salute. I have Wartenburg's, which affects the radial nerve branch (that's in the wrist) of the thumb, specifically, the ulnar surface, so my thumb just does NOT lay straight against the palm of my hand. I did strengthening exercises to improve it, but never did get it completely squared away. I heard about it constantly.

[Atticus]

14. I saw that, too. Maybe that's how they taught him to salute at the

New York Military Academy where he was a captain in his senior year. "Lots of people say" that's as good as any other "military experience".

Three year old "John-John" Kennedy executed a better salute as his father's casket passed.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

15. thanks, I didn't know

The President is in a weird situation -- Commander In Chief, yet civilian. That made me think it was at least not improper to return a military salute.

Of course, with the illegitimate pres we have nothing is proper.

[TomSlick]

17. I've given up on the President returning a salute from a service member.

It's an awkward situation, so I'll cut some slack.

Veterans in civies may render a military salute for the National Anthem - think at sporting events. I always render a salute when the colors pass in parades in my small town.

Civilians salute the flag by placing their right hand (and any hat) over the heart.

[UTUSN]

18. K&R

[thbobby]

21. Everything that trump does is a con and his fantasy of being worthwhile

Bad Salute. Not knowing words to National Anthem. Lecturing NFL on respecting the flag.

He is a draft dodger and a thief. Nothing from him surprises me.

I agree with TomSlick. Do not salute if you have not served. Respect, pure and simple.

[Iggo]

24. I've never served, and I'd never fake a salute.

And fuck anyone who does.

[pecosbob]

28. I was taught to only salute when covered (Navy)

and never in civvies...it's in the regs. And for the record, I too find if mildly offensive when civilians salute, but I chalk it up to most people being dumbasses. From a draft dodger I find it insulting.

[TomSlick]

30. I have done some reading on this lately.

Some years back, the law was amended to authorize veterans to render a military salute in civvies when the National Anthem is played at outdoor events, when the colors pass in parades, etc. The Navy objected that it was contrary to Navy tradition to salute uncovered. This has created some controversy among Navy veterans.

Being a retired JAG, it is my considered legal opinion that US law trumps Navy tradition and regulations.

I think it's strictly a Navy thing. In Army protocol, a soldiers salutes indoors and uncovered when reporting to a commander.

[pecosbob]

31. I believe the Marine Corps also made some minor changes to their regs about ten years ago or so

but you're right, Navy was the odd man out and likely only a Navy man would know to comment on that difference.

[TomSlick]

36. The Navy is all about tradition.

As Winston Churchill apparently never said but wished that he had:

“Don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy, and the lash.”

(Sorry, as an old Army guy, I couldn't resist.)

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

35. Just curious, would it chap your retired Army ass if Obama saluted?

Is it the salute that chaps your ass, or is it just Trump?

For this Army draftee, it's Trump that chaps my ass, saluting or not.

[TomSlick]

38. Yes.

In keeping with the tradition started by Raygun, Obama returned salutes from service members, e.g. when boarding Air Force or Marine One. I always winched. However, I never saw Obama render a military salute in any other circumstance. If I had seen such a thing, I would have felt obliged to call the White House and ask (as politely as I could) that he not do that again. I may be an old fart but I'm consistent.

It chaps my ass anytime I see someone who never served render a military salute. I would encourage you to salute when you're at a sporting event, etc. and the National Anthem is played or when the colors pass in a parade. You served and earned the privilege.

I came along just after the end of the draft but most of my training was from draftees who continued to serve. My father was a Korean War draftee. My father-in-law was a Vietnam-era draftee but never served OCONUS. I have the greatest respect for people who were drafted and served. Not so much rich kids with bone spurs.

Thank you for serving.

[cwydro]

37. I completely agree.

It sickened me.