[May 6, 2017] On the afternoon of my first day in the U.S. Army I was taught to “salute all Officers” as a sign of respect. Earlier in the day, I had been told by one of senior sergeants that if we wanted respect, then we would have to earn it. At the time I didn’t put these two ideas together and promptly failed to salute an Officer that day. I think that failure probably resulted in the biggest ass chewing I ever got.
Yes, it was my mistake. I figured since I didn’t know the Officer, then I certainly didn’t know if he had earned my respect and therefore a salute. Little did I know that respect can mean two different things and thus it can be confusing. What the army means by a “sign of respect” is actually a formal courtesy given under specific, militarily regulated circumstances like you must always salute an Officer.
We salute Officers, we salute the flag of the United States, we salute during the playing of the national anthem, and salute during taps at a funeral. There are a many more examples but enough to make a point here. In all examples we are saluting because it is customary, regulatory, and shows us to be courteous. In other words, we are being polite and showing our good manners.
In the example, saluting an officer, it is required by military regulation and is based upon a long held tradition; common in all militaries from ancient history to today. In the last examples they are governed by regulation and tradition but we are also showing our respect. Respect in that case means we have a deep admiration for the object (the flag and its history) or the person; the classic definition.
I propose that we dispense with the double meaning and confusion and get down to the gist of the matter, referring to respect as meaning a feeling of deep admiration for someone (not some object) elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. All other cases should be based upon good manners, courtesy, tradition, or regulation.
The U.S. military now refers to saluting as a military courtesy (not respect) and appropriately so. But they often revert back to the double meaning – perhaps inadvertently – which leads to confusing among so many of us. The job of leaders is clear, precise communications. This is where they could help.
When someone says that you have to earn respect, we must be clear, that is a 100 percent correct statement. When we salute during taps at a funeral, it is also out of respect. When we salute the flag or an officer we don’t know, then it is a courtesy.
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