In the US military (probably all militaries) the junior rank is required to salute the senior ranking person first..the senior then returns the salute. In the US military, by tradition, there is one exception to that rule. (It does not refer to the times or locations where no saluting is required such as indoors (for Marines) or near the lines in a combat zone.) Anybody know what that exception is?
Kellhound wrote: You are correct. Holders of the Medal of Honor rate a salute from any and ranks. By tradition a five star General would salute a PFC that is wearing the MOH.
Technically, they don't rate the salute, per se. It's just become customary over the years to salute a Medal holder, regardless of rank. It is not a requirement, though. Medal or not, if I was a PFC being approached by a 5-Star, I'd be salutin' like it was cool!!!
Tom wrote: That's why I stated (at least 3 times) that this was the case by military tradition. Whether official or not it is just as true. It's not much of a problem since there are only like ~ 125 living holders of the MOH and most of them are older and civilians. You can be sure of one thing no General would dare make an issue out of not being saluted first by a holder of the MOH.
