okay i've done some research and found that according to ar 600-25 while in civilian attire when paying respects to the flag you assume the position of attention, remove your headgear (if applicable), and place your hand over your heart...however the U.S. Flag Code was amended earlier this year to state that veterans and service members not in uniform can salute (not necessary, but you have that freedom)...one of my ncos says that in korea they saluted in civilian attire at retreat and he expects us to do the same here...he said it was local policy here...yesterday he told me to find the fort leavenworth reg that says we salute...problem...no such reg exists...i searched through all ft lv & CAC regs, policy letters and memorandums and found nothing...


...so my question is: do we follow the flag code or the army regulation?

Well, I have a simple fix!

Since it is not mandatory, but your squad leader is expecting that of you, then just do what he/she says and avoid the BS.

Good advice, although not technical or quotable in a reg, is that you can't do any less than the reg, but you sure can add to it, i.e. the Airborne standard, Ranger Standard etc.

Is it really that much more difficult to Salute the Flag?

Choose your battles wisely!

Not to sure why this would be a problem saluting the flag. Although I can see if you are a soldier that follows the flag code in civilians some would see that as wrong. But you are right, you do have that option not to. Not calling anyone out, but here in Hawaii I noticed something. During the Great Aloha run the top commanders placed there hand over there heart during the national anthem. All personel behind them were saluting. They were in PT uniform which far as I know is a military uniform. For those who want to see that for them self. Not sure if this link will work for YouTube and its at the 2:10 mark.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=rCIy0Wq10o0



This is a few things I found about this topic:


To salute, all persons come to attention:

* Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute.
* Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute.
* Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart.
* Members of uniformed organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.



* The Pledge of Allegiance all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart;
* When the national anthem is played or sung;

(a) Designation.— The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem. (b) Conduct During Playing.— During a rendition of the national anthem— (1) when the flag is displayed— (A) all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart; (B) men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and (C) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; and (2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed. (3) U.S. Veterans may now salute the flag while uncovered, non-uniformed, standing at attention, rather than placing his or her right hand over their heart.

Yes true in Korea you are required to salute in civilian clothes, which is in the 2ID Handbook.

Just because one thing happened at one installation does not mean it will/should happen at another. I am stationed at Fort Riley and have to sing the 1st Infantry Division song every morning at PT formation, okay fine. But I am not going expect my soldiers to sing it when I PCS to another installation, just because that is what we did there.

I hate people that say "find in the reg and get back to me". Well why don't you find it also and show me, you think you're right, well then show me also. Just my 2 cents worth...

Relatively on topic, for MOS' that require the duty uniform to be civilian clothes (like CI agents and whatnot) I've seen them salute officers.

quote:

Originally posted by jpmaes0622:
Well, I have a simple fix!

Since it is not mandatory, but your squad leader is expecting that of you, then just do what he/she says and avoid the BS.

Good advice, although not technical or quotable in a reg, is that you can't do any less than the reg, but you sure can add to it, i.e. the Airborne standard, Ranger Standard etc.

Is it really that much more difficult to Salute the Flag?

Choose your battles wisely!

its not more difficult to salute and its not me trying to prove my sgts wrong or anything...the question was do we follow the flag code or the army reg? the real question i guess is: do army regs supercede pretty much any civilian "codes"?

Ok maybe this is what your looking for. While your off military work in civilians then no. If your uniform is civilians say at a picnic or something were that is your place of duty then yes.

quote:

Originally posted by MikePN:
All personel behind them were saluting. They were in PT uniform which far as I know is a military uniform.

I only saw 1 in PT uniform, the rest had some kind of civilian shirt on, thus not making "PT Uniform". I saw this at 2:10, so if I saw the wrong people let me know.

I saw the same thing at the 2:10 mark. I wont comment on random things up to that point and also at that point since it's not in regards to this thread. The shirts look like maybe some sort of unit shirt, thus making it more civilian then any sort of PT uniform. Now if it is written somewhere that you will wear that shirt instead of the Grey PT shirt and it is a written policy then maybe yes salute I am sure the "Top Commanders" would not do the wrong thing. (Not saying it does not happen but in the public like that and that easy to pick out come on...)