CHAPTER EIGHT

SALUTING/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/NATIONAL ANTHEM RULES

 

 

8.1 The salute is a friendly military exchange of greetings the world over.  Military personnel consider the salute a courteous and respectful greeting among members, and it is one of the oldest traditions binding military people together.

 

8.2 You will be taught the proper manner of saluting and the rules that govern its use among the military services. There are rules at Medina Valley High School governing the salute and saluting areas with which you must become familiar.

 

8.3 When outdoors and in uniform at Medina Valley High School, saluting is always required. Salute when you recognize the person as an officer and eye contact is made with him/her within a reasonable distance.

 

8.4 The salute is rendered indoors only when cadets are reporting to cadet officers or an instructor. When attempting to enter a classroom or instructor's office, Cadets should KNOCK ONCE and wait to be told to "enter/come in". The proper sequence of reporting includes saluting and stating (unless there is a predetermined function, such as reporting attendance, to be accomplished) "Sir/Ma'am, Cadet (Last Name) requests permission to enter the room". The cadet holds the salute until it is returned or otherwise acknowledged by the officer. This includes but is not limited to, all Promotion/Review Boards, entering the classroom after the bell has rung, and when entering the ASI or SASI’s office.

 

8.5 A salute is never given or returned while running. The cadet will instead come to quick time (a walk) and render the salute when approximately six paces from the officer.

 

8.6 Cadets not in uniform may salute as if they were in uniform.

 

8.7  If a cadet observes the American flag being raised or lowered from any flag staff, he or she will assume the position of attention, render the hand salute (if in uniform) and hold it until the flag has reached the summit or base of the flag staff. If the cadet is in civilian clothes, he or she will assume the position of attention and place the right hand over the heart. If a male cadet is wearing civilian attire including headgear, he will remove the headgear and hold it to his left shoulder so the right hand is over the heart.

 

8.8 If the Pledge of Allegiance is recited and a cadet is in uniform indoors, the cadet should stand at attention, face the flag and recite the Pledge.

 

8.9 If the Pledge of Allegiance is recited and a cadet is in uniform outdoors, the cadet should stand at attention, remain silent, face the flag, and render the hand salute.

 

8.10 If the Pledge of Allegiance is recited and a cadet is not in  uniform and is either indoors or out of doors, the cadet should stand at attention, face the flag, and recite the pledge. The right hand is over the heart during the recitation, and males will hold hats, if worn, as described in 8.7 above.

 

8.11 If the National Anthem is being played, and a cadet is in uniform and is indoors, the cadet should face the flag (if present, if not, face the music,) remain silent but not salute unless under arms.

 

8.12 If the National Anthem is being played, and a cadet is in uniform and is outdoors, the cadet should stand at attention, face the flag (if it is visible, or the music if it is not,) remain silent and salute until the anthem is completed (If no flag is visible and the music is recorded, the cadet should simply face straight ahead while saluting).

 

8.13  If the National Anthem is being played, and a cadet is not in uniform (is in either civilian or athletic clothes) and the cadet is outdoors, he/she should stand at attention, face the flag, and place the right hand over the heart (men will also hold the hat in the right hand as described in 8.7 above).  If in civilian clothes, indoors, the cadet will stand at attention and face the flag, if visible or the music if it is not.

 

8.14 If a cadet is late for a formation, he or she will approach the cadet or person in charge when the formation is at a halt, salute, and request permission to fall-in.

 

8.15 Cadet Officers and cadet NCOs should correct saluting errors in a courteous and helpful manner when such errors are committed by cadets junior to them. All cadets are expected to accept such corrections properly.