Charging an airman for not saluting is infantile! So when would you charge?! I agree that not every occasion demands a charge, most do not, but remember that (in Kaa's case) our cpls have served for at least half a dozen years, in most cases many more, before they get their tapes, and should know better. Kaa's cpl was trying it on and he was absolutely right to charge him.
To follow the theme on, we in the RAF do not charge enough. We far prefer to keep it in house using alternative methods to discipline. Why? The 252 is there to be used, why not use it? Why shy away from charging if an airman has done wrong? The Orderly Room procedure is a deterrent in itself, not only to stop potential perpetrators but also colleagues of the perpetrator who see him being dealt with publicly. This view is not based on 2 minutes service, 16 years and most as an OC.
As for FM, words fail me. Good question SATCO, it's his attitude that can give our aircrew a 'gash' label (that and walking around with hands in pockets all day). Aside from the importance of saluting that have already been identified, saluting and other traditions are what set us aside from civvy street. Long may it and they stay.