saluting in civies?

Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Just this past year the law was passed that veteran may statue during parade with colors are passed, during the National Anthem , and the Pledge.

http://www.co.stearns.mn.us/documents/vetflagsalut...

I had a thumb downs for the right answer and wrong answers get thumbs up. You guys are way ill informed. I'm sorry for you.

Flag/Anthem salutes in civvies:

1) When ANY nation's national anthem is played, you stand and remove headgear out of respect (just like when anyone offers a prayer or blessing).

2) When the U.S. National Anthem is played, you stand, remove your headgear, face the flag (or music if no flag) and place your right hand over your heart. You do this in miliary theaters right before each movie too.

3) When a U.S. flag passes you in parade, you stand, remove your headgear, and place your hand over your heart until the ensign has passed.

4) You do not render a "military salute" to a flag when not in uniform.

Now...that being said, if you're walking down the street and recognize an officer, in, or out of uniform, you are perfectly in regulations to render a military salute. Yep, even if you're both in uniform. It's a little weird, but it is in keeping with regulations.

You have a choice, actually. If you are in uniform, of course salute. If you are in civvies you may render a proper salute OR hold your right hand over your heart.

As a vet, I have earned the privilege to render a salute to ANY member of the U.S. armed forces and also during the playing of our National Anthem. I was doing a project on a local naval base a couple of months ago and was often outside during the raising of the colors and saw people RUNNING to get inside before colors was sounded. When I heard 'call to colors' I stood at attention, faced the flag across the street and rendered a salute. I have stopped in front of ships as the colors were raised (as is required) and have had people blow their horns at me and speed around me...IN UNIFORM!

If someone questions you about rendering a salute, tell them you've earned that privilege.

Just read Buckeye's comment and source. DITTO. I saved that.

(USN, retired, 65 - 85)

I think the air force and army might be different about this but for the Navy and Marine Corps it is simple.

If you are in uniform and covered (hat on) meaning you are outside. You salute.

If you are in civilian clothes, you never salute.

If you are inside and uncovered (no hat on), you never salute.

If you hear colors and you are in civilian attire, are not covered, or are unable to saluter for whatever reason, you must stand at attention toward where the flag is.

hope this helps.

In my day it was customary to face the direction the music was coming from or the flag itself and cover the heart with the right hand until the music was over. In fact it used to be a regulation in the Army. Come to think of it I used to do that in the movie theaters even before I enlisted way back when. Good luck to you.

Salute only in uniform, but while in civies put your hand over your heart. Either way make sure you are standing up.

Buckeye Bill is correct in his answer. I would give you a thumbs up Bill, but I'm not a Level 2 yet! I like that this new law was passed in the last defense bill signed into law. A lot of people don't know that this had passed, so inform your battle buddies about it and read the link that Buckeye Bill posted.

"At the first note of music: If outdoors or indoors hold headgear over the left shoulder with the right hand over the heart. Hold this position until the last note of music has been played."

Stand at attention, face the flag, or the source of the music if there's no flag and put your right hand over your heart.

Stand with right hand placed over heart will do when out of uniform.