Originally Posted by
Roadster280
I don't believe the President is required to return salutes (which
are required by regulation), even though he is the Commander in Chief. However, Ronnie, having been a junior officer in the US Army during WW2, thought it embarrassing not to return the salute. He therefore instituted the practice (note practice or custom, rather than regulation). Since then, it's been a faux pas not to return salutes. Here is Mr Obama in that scenario:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np7lObaDiBk
As was the late George H Bush, a junior officer in the USN during WW2 who followed Ronald Reagan as President.