Out of town for a few. Anyway, the reg. is:
Emphasis mine. Hand saluting in the regs is covered in detail elsewhere in this section, the Honors and Cermemonies chpt. The bolding in the above reference, refers to, among other things, hand salutes.
Cermemonies?:smack:
When I was in technical school in the U.S. Air Force, we were told a story that illustrates positional authority quite well. I can’t vouch for the truth of the story, but the events as described followed the regulations.
The SR-72 aircraft was under very tight security at the time of the story. Regulations called for the pilot to exit the plane upon landing, draw his pistol, and stand armed guard over the plane until he was properly relieved by MPs. The planes themselves were under twenty four hour guard while on the ground. The MPs were authorized to use deadly force to prevent unauthorized personnel from approaching the plane. In the normal parking positions, the approach limit for unauthorized personnel was painted on the concrete.
A general (I’ve long since forgotten the name given) was inspecting the flight line one day, and he and his party came upon the area where an SR-72 was parked. The general decided that he would like to take a closer look at the plane, and see how the MPs reacted.
He walked over to an MP on guard duty, and stood outside of the approach limit line. The guard, being armed and on guard duty with weapon in hand, did not salute. The general asked the guard why he hadn’t saluted. THe MP explained to the general that regulations (or perhaps it was the general orders for that particular duty) did not permit him release his hold on his weapon to salute. The general, knowing the regulations in question, accepted the response. He decided to test the MP further, and made as if to cross the approach limit line. The MP politely requested that the general stay outside of the limit, and reminded him that he would have to subdue him (the general) if he crossed the line and that the MP was authorized to use deadly force. The general stopped, and then again made as if to cross the line. The MP again politely requested that the general stay outside of the limit. The general stopped, and the deliberately stepped one step over the line and stopped again. At this point, the MP used the butt of his rifle to knock the general down and then slipped the rifle off safety and and aimed it at the general. He then (still politely) requested that the general lie still and wait until backup MPs arrived to escort him back out of the approach limit and incidentally take him into custody. He also reminded the general that he was authorized and required by standing regulations to take further action, up to and including firing his rifle with intent to kill, if the general did not cooperate.
As the story was told to me, the MP in question not only did not get in any sort of trouble for striking a superior officer, the general had a letter of commendation placed in the MPs file for not only having followed the regulations but for also being as respectful of his rank as the circumstances permitted.
The story may never have really happened. It was told to me at at least third or fourth hand. It does, however, illustrate quite clearly the concept of positional authority. It also shows how an person of lower rank should react when a superior does something that the lower ranking person knows to be improper.
Wow that must be a super secret plane! More secret than the SR-71!
And incidentally, while serving as Group Officer of the Day (MACG-28) it was required to eat one meal at the chow hall, the ensure food was “of sufficient quality and quantity.”
Shit. Sorry. Thanks for the correction, UncleBill. It has been a damned long time.
I realize that, Chand. There is, of course, a distinct difference between the hand salute and the other kinds of salutes (thus the nomenclature). After all, how often do you see a Soldier dragging a cannon around to “render honors” to any passing Lieutenant?
I realize that, Chand. There is, of course, a distinct difference between the hand salute and the other kinds of salutes (thus the nomenclature). After all, how often do you see a Soldier dragging a cannon around to “render honors” to any passing Lieutenant?
I can think of a few lieutenants I’d like to “honor” by firing a cannon. 
FWIW, while on guard duty and under arms you are not required to salute in most cases (Army-wise). I still like Mort’s story; I had something similar happen to me while guarding an ammunition depot (but I didn’t get to hit anybody :().