Question for military members (current or retired)

[sam_gordon]

While my father was in the military, it was well before I was born, and he's no longer around for me to ask. So I'm coming here.

Are you allowed/should you wear your cap/cover/hat while indoors?
If you don't have your cap/cover/hat on, should you still salute?

I thought I had read/seen somewhere that you shouldn't be "covered" indoors AND that you shouldn't salute unless you're "covered". Of course, all the movies/tv shows I watch seem to vary (sometimes people take their hats off when going inside/sometimes they don't).

Does it vary by branch maybe?

Just curious.

TIA.

 

[citruscurtis]

Covered salute may be the rule.. I don't recall salute to company captain when entering barracks..
Anyhow hat did not come off indoors until assigned station.. early 80,s army

 

[_19disnA]

As far as I know, you are supposed to remove your cap when indoors. I don't know about the regulations regarding saluting.

 

[loves to dive]

Asked my Marine hubby (non-active). For the most part you can wear your cover indoors but that can and does vary depending on the service and the circumstances. No you do not salute if you don't have your cover on.

 

[CGB]

I believe it does vary by branch. In the AF, covers are always worn outside and not inside (unless you are armed). For saluting, you salute all military officers (all branches) outside and a few other specific instances (like during Taps at a funeral, reveille, retreat, etc.). There are exceptions, like being part of a detail during which your detail supervisor would call everyone to attention and would render the salute for the detail. You typically don't salute inside unless you are formally reporting to an officer or board.

 

[kdonnel]

I went to a college that has a large ROTC program.

The Blue Book detailed the regulations a cadet was to follow and has a section on Military Courtesy and Social Customs which includes salutes. I believe the rules around salutes are more or less the same as for the US Army.

https://ung.edu/cadet-leadership-academy/_uploads/ilss/files/2018-bluebook.pdf

Relevant part on cover:

The cover (military or civilian) is never worn indoors except when under arms.

Relevant part on salutes:

5.2 SALUTES The salute is an important military courtesy and the most commonly used. The manner of executing the salute is an indication of the individual’s attitude, training,morale, and motivation. Executed willingly, smartly, and promptly, it indicates a Cadet’s pride in oneself and his unit. The subordinate renders the salute first and maintains the salute until returned by the superior.

a. SALUTING ON CAMPUS1) OUTDOORSa) Cadets will salute all officers and warrant officers assigned to the Commandant’s Office, the Military Department and all Armed Forces officers visiting on the campus.The dress of the person saluted or Cadet saluting is immaterial; recognition is all that is necessary. The salute is normally rendered when the person to be saluted is about six paces distant. The salute is accompanied by an appropriate oral greeting. NOTE:Regulations do not require the driver of a vehicle to salute or return a salute when his vehicle is in motion if saluting interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle.34b)Cadet enlisted personnel will salute Cadet officers at all times. The salute and appropriate greeting of the day will be rendered on and off campus.(c) Cadets will not exchange salutes when in ranks; the senior Cadet in charge will render the salute and greeting. Cadets will not salute during prescribed drill or field training exercises, unless directed otherwise.(d) Cadets will comply with the provisions of Army regulations regarding courtesies rendered during the various ceremonies such as Reveille and Retreat.

(2) INDOORSa) Cadets do not salute indoors except when reporting (see reporting instructions below).(b)Individuals will, however, stand at ATTENTION when the Colors are presented or honors played indoors.

b. SALUTING OFF CAMPUSa)Cadets in uniform will salute all officers assigned to the Commandant’s Office, theMilitary Department and other officers of the Armed Forces when recognized.(b)Cadet enlisted personnel will salute all Cadet officers.(c)Cadets, while off campus, are not required to salute when “To The Colors” or theNational Anthem is played over the public address system on campus.

c. SALUTING IN GROUPS1) IN FORMATIONa)Only the Cadet in command or in charge of a unit or group salutes and acknowledges salutes for the formation. Individual Cadets in a formation do not salute or return salutes, except at the command PRESENT ARMS.

d. NOT IN FORMATIONa) On the approach of an officer superior in rank, a group of individuals not information is called to attention by the first person observing him; and all come smartly to attention and salute if outdoors.(b) Individuals participating in activities and members of details at work do not salute. The Cadet in charge of the detail or group, if not actively engaged, salutes or acknowledges the salute for the entire detail. However, if an officer approaches and addresses an individual Cadet, the lower ranking Cadet will come to attention andr emain at attention (unless otherwise directed) until termination of the conversation, at which time he will salute and carry on.

 

[goofyernmost]

I believe it does vary by branch. In the AF, covers are always worn outside and not inside (unless you are armed). For saluting, you salute all military officers (all branches) outside and a few other specific instances (like during Taps at a funeral, reveille, retreat, etc.). There are exceptions, like being part of a detail during which your detail supervisor would call everyone to attention and would render the salute for the detail. You typically don't salute inside unless you are formally reporting to an officer or board.

That is what I remember as well, but that was half a century ago and things might have changed.

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

The rules I always grew up with (dad is a former Marine) is no cover inside unless armed. No salutes unless with a cover otherwise you would be saluting all day long (while getting food for instance). But you may salute the flag not in uniform with the hand over your heart (former military or those not in uniform). For what that is worth.

 

[Praying Colonel]

While my father was in the military, it was well before I was born, and he's no longer around for me to ask. So I'm coming here.

Are you allowed/should you wear your cap/cover/hat while indoors?
If you don't have your cap/cover/hat on, should you still salute?

I thought I had read/seen somewhere that you shouldn't be "covered" indoors AND that you shouldn't salute unless you're "covered". Of course, all the movies/tv shows I watch seem to vary (sometimes people take their hats off when going inside/sometimes they don't).

Does it vary by branch maybe?

Just curious.

TIA.

When I was in the Navy, way back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, the general rule was not to salute uncovered. And we only wore our cover indoors if we had the duty (Officer of the Day, etc.).

There were many exceptions to that general rule (ship vs. shore duty, combat vs. non-combat, etc.). And different service branches have different rules (and exceptions).

I cringe when I watch a show/movie and see them do it wrong. For example, at the end of A Few Good Men when the Marine accused's salute Caffee, and they're indoors and none of them are covered.