Quoting one of the commenters: Small Oops, because he was under - TopicsExpress

Quoting one of the commenters: Small Oops, because he was under no obligation whatsoever to return this salute: FIRST, it was NEVER proper for officers in civilian clothing, not wearing a uniform or headgear to return a salute. Ronald Reagan began this so-called "custom." SECOND, while it is courtesy for a superior officer to return a salute, IF IT IS CONVENIENT TO DO SO, there is no "requirement" whatsoever that he or she do so. THIRD, The President of the United States DOES NOT SALUTE A MARINE CORPORAL, or even a Marine General, or even the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He outranks them all. [See Article II of the U.S. Constitution.] He did NOT forget any.(Shared)