Saluting in Civvies

We were told that sometimes you salute officers in civvies but I’d just like to check when this applies :slight_smile:
Who do I salute in civvies and when?

Is it the same as when in uniform?

Many thanks

1 Like

If you are in uniform wearing headdress, and you recognise an officer then you may salute them.

Essentially, you are able to salute officers that are wearing civilian clothes. Most RAFAC officers will not be offended if you don’t, though.

Thank you :slight_smile:

So if we are both in civvies it is advised but not mandatory essentially?

You never salute when you’re wearing civvies; we’re not Americans. The below examples assume you’re wearing headdress when in uniform.

You: Uniform
Officer: Uniform
Result: Salute

You: Uniform
Officer: Civvies
Result: Salute (but not returned)

You: Civvies
Officer: Uniform
Result: No salute or return

You: Civvies
Officer: Civvies
Result: No salute or return

6 Likes

This, but if you are in civvies you can still pay a complement. E.g. brace up and say “good morning sir/ma’am” etcetera

3 Likes

Apologies if I was unclear - if you are not in uniform you don’t salute. If you’re not wearing headdress (beret for cadets) you don’t salute.

So I remember something from solider solider where one of the soldiers not wearing head dress stopped braces & came to attention for an officer passing. The officer returned a salute.

Is this a real thing or is it a TVism

1 Like

If you are in civvies, I believe that you can remove your headrest if you greet an officer. I thinks that in an acp somewhere. But I assume that’s from back when everyone went around in a bowler hat to go for a walk about etc. also I don’t think females would remove headrest in this situation, similar to when entering a church, or when doing remove headrest for cheering. I don’t know if anyone actually does this anymore

I was at an event with one of our DLs (a retired colonel) the other year and paid compliments by removing my Panama hat. He promptly saluted me to return the compliment.

Back when I was in the RA, some of the officers made a point of carrying umbrellas when in civvies and would put it under their arm and turn their heads (like when saluting with a pace stick, but without the salute) when we saluted them.

This is definitely a thing in the army. One occaision where it happened for me, I was my wearing my establishment DS sweatshirt with CS-95 trousers and boots, set for giving ‘encouragement’ to my platoon during a log-run; braced up as the colonel passed and received a salute back.

2 Likes

CI - no salute given or returned :melting_face:

This topic was automatically closed 60 minutes after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.