What is the correct etiquette when saluting a person in civilian clothes who is a former officer?

What is the correct etiquette when saluting a person in civilian clothes who is a former officer?

• A. No formal salute is required; show respect via polite verbal greeting and courtesy as appropriate.
• B. Always salute regardless of clothing.
• C. Salute only if they are in uniform.
• D. Greet with a handshake instead of a salute.

Answer: (A)

Saluting is a formal gesture tied to recognizing commissioned and warrant officers, most of the time performed when both participants are in appropriate military context or uniform. When you meet a former officer who is in civilian clothes, you don’t render a formal salute. The proper way to show respect is to offer a polite verbal greeting and behave with courteous conduct suited to the situation. If the setting is formal or the former officer is in uniform, other saluting rules would apply, but in civilian attire the salute itself isn’t required.

Saluting is a formal gesture tied to recognizing commissioned and warrant officers, most of the time performed when both participants are in appropriate military context or uniform. When you meet a former officer who is in civilian clothes, you don’t render a formal salute. The proper way to show respect is to offer a polite verbal greeting and behave with courteous conduct suited to the situation. If the setting is formal or the former officer is in uniform, other saluting rules would apply, but in civilian attire the salute itself isn’t required.