what is the actual protocol for a non-veteran potus saluting in response to military?

[Grasswire2]

Did Obama do that?

[brooklynite]

1. There is NO protocol

Reagan started it, other Presidents felt the need to continue.

[underpants]

4. I didn't know that Reagan made it a regular thing.

https://www.jacksonville.com/article/20160415/news/801246528

[pdxflyboy]

2. Obama returned the salutes that were rendered to him. n/t

[grumpyduck]

3. He's the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

Nothing to do with having served or not.

Unfortunately. Personally, it makes me sick to see a Marine saluting that piece of shit when he goes aboard.

[Grins]

7. Me, too, but remember...

...they are saluting the office, not the man.

[grumpyduck]

8. Yeah, you're probably right. Thanks for that.

[Grins]

5. There is no protocol.

You don’t have to return a salute or acknowledge recognition. Whether you served or didn’t. I’m pretty sure that even Eisenhower didn’t return salutes.

And speaking of last evening, presidents don’t SALUTE HELICOPTERS!!!

[Wounded Bear]

6. Yeah, they all pretty much do that...

They are the CinC. Until now, they tended to do it with a certain modicum of respect.

[Throck]

9. POTUS is Commander in Chief

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[sarisataka]

10. The President can return a salute or not

As they see fit. It doesn't matter if the person is a veteran.

Yes, Obama did it... and Republicans complained about it.

[MineralMan]

11. There is no protocol, nor any laws regarding salutes made

by anyone. The POTUS can do as he pleases, in any case, since he is the Commander-in-Chief of the military. That is why he is saluted in the first place. If he chooses to return the salute, that's just fine with everyone.