TTH, one was embarrassing the other could be pretending to be dashing hero.

Is one correct in observing a degree of casualness in the salute returned by some very senior officers?
More of a 3/4 wave of acknowledgment. rather than the hand snapped right up...?

At least he had the good grace to personally make amends, something that probably meant far more to the young marine.

Yes - I thought that was very gracious - that young man will remember it for the rest of his life.
I wonder if the pilots quietly reminded POTUS.

Sorry to disappoint TTH, but I am not really sure how far back that tradition goes. What I do know for certain is that it is not a requirement but just a custom. One thing I did discover when doing a bit of background reading is that the Australians actually have a regulation which states that holders of the Victoria Cross are NOT to be saluted unless they are serving commissioned officers. That did surprise me, I must admit

TTN may recall at Kai Tak we had a real live VC winner in Rambahadur Limbu of 1/10th GR, when things hotted up in 1967/8 and we gave a home to one of the roulement battalions (frequently GR but once 2 Para).

Drifting the Thread (as one does) one young GR officer on his first deployment to the border received very painful shrapnel wounds to his nether regions, which meant he rarely sat down and slept on his stomach for some weeks afterwards. However, he did go on to make full Colonel. However, one of his mates did get VC (I think that's what they said) during his stay in the colony. I guess it was a top secret, undercover operation in a girlie bar in Wanchai!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Old Duffer

I would NEVER salute Diane Abbott - whatever the penalty.
Also - many women "assume" their Husband's rank so I would never acknowledge them either…….

He gives a very belated truncated salute just as he enters the cabin. I guess he realized it was not really respectful and made amends. I don't think the pilots would have been able to see if he had returned the salute prior to boarding.

Exactly so O-D. (Remind me when I see you to tell you the tale of a Sgt crewman and a QA Captain in Hong Kong ....... there are some similarities!)

More recently I remember the privilege of meeting Johnson Beharry at Alrewas - although both in uniform, we were hatless in a tent so the "saluting" question didn't arise.

The meeting was enlivened (sic) by the then PM - D Cameron - repeately referring to him as "Sgt Johnson". Best sack that adviser/speechwriter Dave.......

I didn't know that Rambahadur Limbu VC had been at Kai Tak O-D. I do remember one Ghurka commissioned officer (as opposed to QGO) who lived in the mess for a while. He had an incredibly posh Sandhurst accent and must have thought we grammar school boys were terrible oiks!

You've missed the point, Arfur. You're not saluting her, but her appointment, and by extension the monarch.

Best I saw was early 70s in HQAFCENT. I was taking a German navy guy to do his arrival stuff and noticed him saluting often. I found out that at home they saluted everyone of a higher rank. As he was the equivalent of SAC (which I was), you can imagine where he came in the pecking order. There was an unwritten rule that you only saluted stars.

TTN,

Are you referring to Captain Maniprasad Rai by any chance? There was also Lt Gopal Bahadher Gurung and he and 'Mani' were Sandhurst trained. Mani's father had been the 'Gurkha Major' in the battalion sometime before.

O-D

I see your amazing memory for names has not yet deserted you O-D! In my case I regret I don't remember the chap's name, but he was certainly a product of Sandhurst.

I suspect he didn't as SHE might assume it was personal and not representational.

I'm with you Arfur. I would ignore Diane Abbott, give two fingers to Theresa May and will never sing the National Anthem when Charlie and Chlamydia get their chance . . .

Never thought I would say that, but I find I'm surprised to realise I mean every word.