First salute responsibility for enlisted?

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December 18, 2025, 05:34 PM

Valpo Fz

First salute responsibility for enlisted?

One of my former cadets is receiving his commission on Saturday at Purdue University in the Air Force. He asked me to take his first salute. Is there any responsibility I have outside of taking his silver dollar and saluting him, should I buy a gift? I’ve never done this before any help would be would be welcomed.

" The people shall have a right to bear arms, for the defense of themselves and the State" Art 1 Sec 32 Indiana State Constitution

YAT-YAS

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December 18, 2025, 05:49 PM

Johnny 3eagles

You, as an enlisted or former enlisted person render the cadets first salute as a commissioned officer, he/she returns the salute and gives you a silver dollar. You certainly should offer a congratulations but no gift is required or necessary.

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NRA ENDOWMENT LIFE MEMBER

December 18, 2025, 05:55 PM

captain127

If he asked you to do this, he respects you greatly and this is a gift in itself

Totally up to you of course, but you can consider giving him a gift. Nothing super extravagant.
A nice gesture is a pocket knife with commissions date engraved on it.

"I vowed to myself to fight against evil more completely and more wholeheartedly than I ever did before. . . . That’s the only way to pay back part of that vast debt, to live up to and try to fulfill that tremendous obligation."

Alfred Hornik, Sunday, December 2, 1945 to his family, on his continuing duty to others for surviving WW II.

December 18, 2025, 06:47 PM

ftttu

The best gift is the action itself.

A good gift would be a professional/semi-professional photograph(and video) of the event.

Retired Texas Lawman

December 18, 2025, 07:02 PM

Valpo Fz

Thanks guys. I wasn’t his favorite instructor because I was hard on him. I was surprised and am truly honored.

" The people shall have a right to bear arms, for the defense of themselves and the State" Art 1 Sec 32 Indiana State Constitution

YAT-YAS

December 18, 2025, 07:45 PM

corsair

Accept the coin, snap-off a good one, provide a hearty handshake and make sure someone takes a solid photograph that you can save.

December 19, 2025, 01:10 AM

KP93

quote:
Originally posted by corsair:
Accept the coin, snap-off a good one, provide a hearty handshake and make sure someone takes a solid photograph that you can save.

This with the addition of signing and adding a message of congratulations. Use fine tip sharpie.
As mentioned before, a significant sign of respect—congratulations to you both!

Godspeed and Good Hunting, Always

Navy BMD: When "Aim High" isn't High Enough!

December 19, 2025, 04:02 AM

DaBigBR

quote:
Originally posted by Valpo Fz:
Thanks guys. I wasn’t his favorite instructor because I was hard on him. I was surprised and am truly honored.

I think that's the kind of thing that a person comes to appreciate as they get older. Kids have enough friends and the instructor/teacher/mentor/etc. that puts trying to be a good friend over trying to be a good teacher is often not acting in the student's best interest.

December 19, 2025, 10:28 AM

SW_Sig

You obviously had a great impact on him.

I gave my son his first salute when he received his commission.

Nice is overrated

"It's every freedom-loving individual's duty to lie to the government."
Airsoftguy, June 29, 2018

December 19, 2025, 03:48 PM

shikemd

Agree with what has been said; giving a gift would not be appropriate. Best of luck to the new Lt.

December 19, 2025, 03:59 PM

Perception

quote:
Originally posted by Valpo Fz:
Thanks guys. I wasn’t his favorite instructor because I was hard on him. I was surprised and am truly honored.

Part of growing up is realizing that frequently the people that were hard on you were the people that truly had your best interest at heart. What an honor to know you made that difference in someone's life. Congratulations to both of you!

"The people hate the lizards and the lizards rule the people."
"Odd," said Arthur, "I thought you said it was a democracy."
"I did," said Ford, "it is."
"So," said Arthur, hoping he wasn't sounding ridiculously obtuse, "why don't the people get rid of the lizards?"
"It honestly doesn't occur to them. They've all got the vote, so they all pretty much assume that the government they've voted in more or less approximates the government they want."
"You mean they actually vote for the lizards."
"Oh yes," said Ford with a shrug, "of course."
"But," said Arthur, going for the big one again, "why?"
"Because if they didn't vote for a lizard, then the wrong lizard might get in."