Is it OK to salute the flag in civilian clothes?

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

When in uniform indoors, stand at attention, face the flag and remain silent, but you don't salute. However, if the participants are primarily civilians or in civilian clothes, you may recite the Pledge of Allegiance if you wish.

Is it disrespectful for a civilian to salute the flag?

TLDR – Civilians should face the flag and place their right hand over their heart during the National Anthem. Saluting the flag is a gesture reserved for the military. While civilians can salute soldiers, many veterans consider it inappropriate or awkward.

Can I salute the flag in civilian clothes?

Saluting the American Flag when in civilian attire

MEN remove hats and hold at left shoulder with hand over heart; without hat, place right hand, palm open, over heart. WOMEN should place right hand, palm open, over heart. WOMEN may continue to wear headwear, although it is appropriate to remove all caps.

Can I salute the flag out of uniform?

Recent legislation gives Veterans the lifetime privilege to salute the flag. This privilege is also extended to all active duty service members while not in uniform. They may now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the National Anthem or during raising, lowering or passing the American flag.

Is it OK to salute if you're not in the military?

"Civilian personnel, to include civilian guards, are not required to render the hand salute to military personnel or other civilian personnel. "Salutes are not required to be rendered or returned when the senior or subordinate, or both are in civilian attire."

salute VS dont salute

Can civilians wear dog tags?

Civilians can legally wear dog tags. Yet, attempting to use the dog tags for personal gain may be considered an act of stolen valor, which is a punishable offense. Some veterans and active military members may consider it disrespectful, while others do not care.

Can you wear uniform items with civilian clothes?

No part of a prescribed uniform, except those items not exclusively military in character, will be worn with civilian clothing.

Do you have to salute an officer in civilian clothes?

You don't have to salute indoors, except when you report to a superior officer. If either person is wearing civilian clothes and you do not recognize the other person as a superior officer, salutes are unnecessary.

Can you salute without wearing a hat?

The United States Army and United States Air Force give salutes with head both covered and uncovered, but saluting indoors is forbidden except when formally reporting to a superior officer or during an indoor ceremony.

Do you salute at a civilian funeral?

However, civilians should not salute. As a sign of respect, civilians should instead remove any head gear and place it over their heart. In the absence of head gear, the customary gesture is to place the right hand over the heart. All civilian mourners should be dressed in a respectful fashion.

Do you stand at attention in civilian clothes?

When in civilian clothes and outdoors, stand at attention and place your right hand (with a hat if wearing one) over your heart.

Do civilians have to stop for Colors?

Stop and render the proper respect. Civilians and military personnel not in uniform are expected to stop, face the flagpole, or music if the flagpole location is unknown, place your right hand over your heart and remain in that position until the music stops. If wearing a hat, it is customary to remove it.

Is it OK to salute with left hand?

Saluting with the left or right hand has nothing to do with being disrespectful. The salute, in and of itself, no matter which hand is used, is respectful. The US military uses the right hand for a reason and that reason is utilitarian, not an issue of respect.

Can a veteran salute when not in uniform?

Veterans and Saluting Out of Uniform

A provision of the 2009 Defense Authorization Act changed federal law to allow U.S. veterans and military personnel not in uniform to render the military hand-salute when the national anthem is played.

Why do military remove hats indoors?

They do not wear covers indoors because they follow Naval traditions when it comes to covers and saluting, as does the U.S. Coast Guard. This means that, like Naval personnel, Marines never salute unless wearing a cover, and thus almost all Marines do not salute when they are indoors.

How should a civilian address a military officer?

Talking to Military as a Civilian. Greet military members using their proper title if you know it. If you know a service member's rank, use their title of address to talk to them. It is not considered rude or disrespectful to use military terminology when you've never served.

Do you salute an officer who is not in uniform?

During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute.

Do you salute in civilians army?

The President of the United States, as the commander in chief, will be saluted by Army personnel in uniform. g. Civilian personnel, to include civilian guards, are not required to render the hand salute to military personnel or other civilian personnel.

Do police officers salute military?

Police officers in uniform should stand at attention and render a military-style salute when the flag passes in a parade, when it is hoisted, when it is lowered and when the National Anthem is played.

Is it illegal for civilians to wear military uniforms?

TLDR – In the United States, it is legal for civilians to wear military uniforms. However, it is against the law to impersonate a member of the military for personal gains, such as wearing a uniform to commit fraud.

Can you wear civilian clothes on base?

1. CIVILIAN CLOTHING. Officers and enlisted personnel are permitted to have civilian clothing in their possession at naval activities ashore when authorized by the prescribing authority. Personnel aboard ship may have civilian clothing when authorized by the Commanding Officer.

Are you allowed to wear your military uniform after you get out?

A person who is discharged honorably or under honorable conditions from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force may wear his uniform while going from the place of discharge to his home, within three months after his discharge.

Why do soldiers swallow their dog tags?

When a soldier is killed in combat, his/her dog tags are placed in the mouth or wedged between the teeth for identification purposes.

Why do soldiers wear 2 dog tags?

The U.S. Army changed regulations on July 6, 1916, so that all soldiers were issued two tags: one to stay with the body and the other to go to the person in charge of the burial for record-keeping purposes.