"Salute the Rank, not the Man." (1 Viewer)

[glossman]

I was taught this in BMT (Basic Military Training).

It still holds good today in most armed forces.

Raymond. :salute::

 

[Martin Tabony]

I'm sure we've all known officers that we didn't think deserved a salute. The thing I hated was when I came to attention (plenty of noise from a jackboot) and carried sword, then the officer would swan past and take no notice! I always used to turn towards him and shout "I am saluting you now SIR" it never failed.^&grin

Martin

 

[The Military Workshop]

I also like the tradition of senior officers saluting Victoria Cross winners. Does it also apply to Medal of Honor winners ?

 

[trooper]

I also like the tradition of senior officers saluting Victoria Cross winners. Does it also apply to Medal of Honor winners ?

It is the custom for all ranks to salute Medal of Honour winners. I have been given to understand that they also have several other priviledges such as free air travel and the opportunity for their sons to be automatically acceptable for West Point, although I am not sure if this is urban myth or not. On the other hand there is no tradition of VC winners being saluted other than as a return to one given by the VC holder. This is known by personal observation. Trooper

 

[The Military Workshop]

Trooper,
Definitely the tradition here to salute VC winners. Only 3 in Oz now and two currently serving. The other is a Vietnam veteran I have met and he told me that when he was on the staff at Duntroon (ie OZ Sandhurst) all saluted him (ie. his VC). During most recent VC award the Chief of Defence Forces specifically mentioned this tradition.

I think about 12-15 years ago when Australia had 4 surviving VC winners (prior to the most recent two VC winners) there was no free travel for them. They were often invited to charity functions and events etc and the hosts had to cover their travel expenses. The then Deputy Prime Minister (a Vietnam veteran) heard about this and introduced free travel for them within Australia (ie. flights and chauffer driven car to pick them up).

Regards
Brett

 

[Napoleon1er]

Some kid in my company forgot to salute the commanding cadet one time. Boy was he sorry....

 

[trooper]

Brett, am glad to see that Oz has such respect for VC winners, just wish that it was the same here. Trooper

 

[45thdiv]

Interesting topic. I think anyone who earns a VC or CMA deserves a well deserved salute from all armed forces. And a lot of respect from those who have never had to live through what they have.

The first Native American Indian (Creek tribe) to win the CMA was won by Second Lt. Earnest "Red Eagle" Childers won during the battle near Naples along the mountain fighting there. WW2, Thunderbird Division (45th infantry)

I met him once in Oklahoma. Very humble man.

Matthew

 

[Go for Broke]

About two months ago, there was an article in the newspaper about this soldier who won the CMA in Afghanistan. I'm not quoting this quite right, but he said the nation was honoring the worst day of his life. Of course he was grateful to receive the medal, but that was a very true and realistic statement.

 

[Terp152]

I also like the tradition of senior officers saluting Victoria Cross winners. Does it also apply to Medal of Honor winners ?

THat tradition applies to MOH recipients as well. Also, to stand when they enter the room. The National Convention of MOH awardees was held here in Louisville last month. Some of my friends attended (I had to work.

 

[Martin Tabony]

Trooper,
Definitely the tradition here to salute VC winners. Only 3 in Oz now and two currently serving. The other is a Vietnam veteran I have met and he told me that when he was on the staff at Duntroon (ie OZ Sandhurst) all saluted him (ie. his VC). During most recent VC award the Chief of Defence Forces specifically mentioned this tradition.

I think about 12-15 years ago when Australia had 4 surviving VC winners (prior to the most recent two VC winners) there was no free travel for them. They were often invited to charity functions and events etc and the hosts had to cover their travel expenses. The then Deputy Prime Minister (a Vietnam veteran) heard about this and introduced free travel for them within Australia (ie. flights and chauffer driven car to pick them up).

Regards
Brett

The nearest thing I've seen here is when I was on staff at the Guards Depot, we had three V.C.s visiting and the Comandant asked "for permision to carry on".
We also used to come to attention when a Chelsea Pensioner came through Horse Guards yard, they also new they were always welcome for a cup of tea!

Martin

 

[johnnybach]

Would that it were so..........but.........I'm not so sure that it was always "Salute the rank - and NOT the man" in my experience chaps.

Reason.

I well remember once upon a time, very long ago - in a very itchy battledress, failing to give a particularly disliked Rupert a salute. You see, he was in his Civvies - or Rupert Outfit, with no hat on. (Check trausers, check shart, blazer and cravatt! - well that's how they pronounced it, old boy!).

Received a rocket - and put on a fizzer (252).

My excuse?? "Didn't recognise you, out of uniform and with no hat on - SAH!" - cut no ice at all.^&confuse

Peeled abot 17 tons of potatoes for that little digression. We were also expected to recognise any cars (Sports - of course) that our beloved Ruperts were driving - and salute them too - even though they were awften being driven by the gel-frind - wot wot!

Take no chances - if in doubt - salute it - became our watch-word.

Ruperts?? Well, thats wot they is for - saluting practice - innit? johnnybach:wink2:

 

[Currahee Chris]

It is the custom for all ranks to salute Medal of Honour winners. I have been given to understand that they also have several other priviledges such as free air travel and the opportunity for their sons to be automatically acceptable for West Point, although I am not sure if this is urban myth or not.

Nope, not an urban myth at all for the Army anyway, West Point is a given. Not sure about the airfare. PLENTY of other perks I am sure. Interesting quote by you there 45th Div- gotta imagine that certainly rings true.

I failed to salute the Battalion XO one day in Currahee Country. It was dusk and he was on the other side of the road, very hard to see his gold leaf. i was only 5 days at Camp Greaves at the time (Korea). He got pretty miffed and started asking why I walked past him and didn't salute him. I really couldn't think of a good cover so simply told him I thought he was a Korean!! He just shoke his head and walked off!! Sometimes the truth can set you free!! {sm4} (To clarify, Korean forces wore Yellow strips on their head gear. Three stripes on a Korean Sergeants head gear looked as big as a gold leaf).

My dad was on the CG's staff at Ft. Carson towards the end of his career. He was a Master Sgt. He always enjoyed walking amongst a group of officers and he would throw a crisp salute and like 3-4 staff officers would salute him back. He always got a kick out of that.

The thing to remember is that the salute is not a sign of subservience or anything like that. Officers in the military are bound to act as gentlemen. The salute is an old English warrior custom from the Middle Ages that we have adopted as a means of saying good morning or as a salutation as is the case when a soldier reports to the CO's office or what not...not that I have any experience with that!!

 

[Martin Tabony]

But saluting without head gear!!!!!!! Only the Blues!^&grin

Martin

 

[johnnybach]

Another interesting saluting practice in the British Army - was to always salute visiting foreign troops - regardless of rank - as a courtesy. Again, I can remember manning a light radio detachment at Pembray in South Wales - again - quite a while ago. There were visiting West German Panzer troops at the time on the ranges - and can remember walking around the town - with my right hand virtually glued to my forehead - as German soldier after soldier passed by - who warranted a salute.

I can remember also that the German lads weren't particularly "smart" at the time ( early 1960's?) - as I believe they were definitely NOT trying to look too "flash" whilst visiting GB. Quite a few of the locals were a bit Anti, as I recall - as memories of WW2 were still pretty recent. Got a lot of smiles and salutes in return, I remember. johnnybach

 

[Napoleon1er]

Would that it were so..........but.........I'm not so sure that it was always "Salute the rank - and NOT the man" in my experience chaps.

Reason.

I well remember once upon a time, very long ago - in a very itchy battledress, failing to give a particularly disliked Rupert a salute. You see, he was in his Civvies - or Rupert Outfit, with no hat on. (Check trausers, check shart, blazer and cravatt! - well that's how they pronounced it, old boy!).

Received a rocket - and put on a fizzer (252).

My excuse?? "Didn't recognise you, out of uniform and with no hat on - SAH!" - cut no ice at all.^&confuse

Peeled abot 17 tons of potatoes for that little digression. We were also expected to recognise any cars (Sports - of course) that our beloved Ruperts were driving - and salute them too - even though they were awften being driven by the gel-frind - wot wot!

Take no chances - if in doubt - salute it - became our watch-word.

Ruperts?? Well, thats wot they is for - saluting practice - innit? johnnybach:wink2:

All...too...familiar... Them (*{sm0}) if I don't do this salute:.
-Sandor

 

[Iron Brigade]

Hello "Glossman" /Raymond:

Interesting subject! Thanks for posting!

"Iron Brigade" / Gary

 

[glossman]

Hello "Glossman" /Raymond:

Interesting subject! Thanks for posting!

"Iron Brigade" / Gary

Hi Gary,

Thanks very much for your comments. I have watched the HBO "Band of Brothers" TV mini-series (from which the video clip is derived) many times since it was released some 10 years ago.

This TV mini-series is based on the book by Stephen Ambrose (Simon and Schuster, 1st Ed. 1992) about the war time experiences of the Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division in the Europe, WWII. In my personal opinion, it is a great story about camaraderie in an infantry company from boot camp to VE Day.

Best, Raymond.

 

[Iron Brigade]

Hi Gary,

Thanks very much for your comments. I have watched the HBO "Band of Brothers" TV mini-series (from which the video clip is derived) many times since it was released some 10 years ago.

This TV mini-series is based on the book by Stephen Ambrose (Simon and Schuster, 1st Ed. 1992) about the war time experiences of the Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division in the Europe, WWII. In my personal opinion, it is a great story about camaraderie in an infantry company from boot camp to VE Day.

Best, Raymond.

Hello Raymond:

Steven Ambrose is a splendid military history author with connections with the University of Wisconsin, USA. I have his book on "D-Day" and at least a 2 or 3 more of his books. Alas, Ambrose died some years ago. Two or so years ago I purchased the paperback version of his book on D-Day for a good price and I almost did not read it as I known a lot about the D-Day period and I thought I would just keep it for a referrence book. But I read it after all and it was really interesting and easy to read! I had heard in recent years that his foundation set up at the University of Wisconsin in Madison had probelms with the "anti-military" people in Madison as he was considered too "pro-military" by some people.

Best regards, Gary

 

[Scott]

Hello Raymond:

............... I had heard in recent years that his foundation set up at the University of Wisconsin in Madison had probelms with the "anti-military" people in Madison as he was considered too "pro-military" by some people.

Best regards, Gary

Gary do you have a source for that? This was all I could find.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Ambrose#Criticism