Saluting other Nations officers

Cadets Ask the Staff
1

Possibly a very silly question.

Are we as cadets expected to salute other nations commissioned officers?

2

Joining instructions for a camp I was on 2 years ago stated that cadets are expected to salute officers from all countries. Other than that, i’ve never read anything. When would the situation arise?

3

I will be at an event with Officers from another countries air corps.

4

In short, yes.

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5

http://www.witham-aircadets.org.uk/ACP/1445-acp-19-02-saluting.pdf

6

Thanks.

7

ACP19 is no longer used. However, a similar (nearly identical) statement is made in AP818

8

No prob

9

It’s identical in AP818
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7th edition, page 2-1-1

10

I once got tore a new one by an american officer for not saluting him whilst i wasnt in uniform…go figure

11

I would say yes, out of courtesy and respect as well as per regs.
I was in Ghana with the ATC and we saluted all the Ghanaian Officers for the reasons above!

12

One of the problems we encountered as cadets was identifying them. We saw NCOs with more bling than a chav girl on a night out, which was most confusing. We used to find a way of not having to confront them around stations if we could.

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13

Worst case scenario, if you’re in doubt just take your beret off and give them a nod of respect, whether they’re an NCO or an officer they’ll both be appreciative of it.

14

I did wonder why our cadets were saluting the Wing Commander at Wing Athletics last month when everybody was dressed in sports gear/civvies.

Can anybody shed some light on this?

15

During basic and phase two, the form of address for personnel you don’t know is “Staff”.

When in doubt just come to attention, address them as staff. If they say they are an officer and warrant a salute just bang one up. If they berate you for it… Well… The words to use here wouldn’t get past the profanity filter.

It should be worth noting that despite being warrant officers, American WOs are commissioned and therfore must also be saluted.

16

To be fair though, I’ve been saluted by an Indian AVM and a Nigerian Colonel at the ACPV a few years back when I was part of the working party. So the confusion does work both ways! Not bad for an arrogant, angry and disgruntled 23yo SAC(T)…

1 Like
17

Americans also salute when in uniform and with no headgear. Just follow OUR protocol of standing to attention with no beret or hat and saluting when wearing a hat.

American civilians also learn to salute their flag by holding the open palm or their right hand over their heart EVERY morning at school assembly. Different strokes for different folks.

If he causes a problem because you’re following UK protocols, do as he requires then report the incident to one of your own staff for them to re-educate him.

18

I once got a very smart ‘present arms’ from the ex-Gurkha MPGS on the gate at Dalton Barracks. I think they mistook the VRT pins for EIIR ciphers for a royal ADC!

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19

My understanding is that if you know an officer of higher rank you should salute them whether they are in uniform of not

20

Not if I’m not in uniform and wearing a hat. Even in uniform sans hat no salute.