SALUTING AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE


SALUTING

Saluting has always been a privilege enjoyed by military personnel of honorable standing.  Not only was it used in the early days of recorded history as a greeting, but also to express mutual trust and respect.  Today the salute is a respectful greeting exchanged between military personnel.  Listed are several of the more important saluting rules.  Your instructors will teach you the proper manner of saluting and the rules, which govern its use among the military services.  They will also teach you the special rules on saluting at Langham Creek High School.  
 
  • Except for formal reporting procedures, you are not required to salute indoors.
 
  • When you are in uniform and outdoors, salute all military officers in uniform, regardless of their branch of service.
 
  • Cadet Officers in uniform are saluted by any cadet in uniform that is a lower rank than the cadet officer. 
 
  • Junior grade cadet officers will salute cadet officers with a higher rank when both are in uniform.  Enlisted cadets are not required to salute each other.
 
  • Salute, in or out of uniform, whenever you are required to report to the SASI in the AFJROTC office. 
 
  • Do not salute while running.  If a salute is necessary, come to a walk, salute the senior ranking officer/cadet officer, and then resume running. 
 
  • Salute an inspecting cadet officer when reporting for uniform inspection on Wednesday.  
 
  • Always begin your salute in time to allow an approaching officer/senior cadet officer to return the salute prior to passing you.  
 
  • If you are carrying articles in both hands and moving them to one hand to render the proper salute proves too difficult, you do not need to salute but will provide an appropriate greeting to the approaching officer/cadet officer.  If you are the senior cadet officer and are approached by someone in the same situation you will not render a return salute but will be respond with an appropriate return greeting.
 
  • When you are outdoors in uniform and the National Anthem is being played, come to attention, face the music and salute.  If the flag is being raised or lowered at the same time, face the flag and salute.  Hold the salute until the flag has stopped moving or the music stops playing.   Anytime you are in uniform and observe the American flag moving up or down the flagstaff, you will halt, come to attention and salute until the flag stops moving. 
 
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag, is a promise or oath of loyalty to the United States of America. Originally written in August of 1892 by Francis Bellamy.  The pledge has been changed several times over the years.  Today's version reads:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Broken down, each phrase of the pledge has a special meaning:

➢ I pledge allegiance - A personal promise to be true
➢ to the flag - to the symbol of our country recognized around the world
➢ of the United States of America - a group of independent states joined together for a common good
➢ and to the Republic - a country led by representatives chosen by the people
➢ for which it stands - a defender of human rights, fairness, justice, and what is good and decent for all
➢ one nation - a single nation
➢ under God - An affirmation that our individual rights come from a source higher than and prior to our government and therefore cannot be infringed upon
➢ indivisible - our country cannot be split into parts
➢ with liberty and justice - freedom and fairness
➢ for all - for each person in the country, you and me!

We recite the Pledge of Allegiance everyday to remind ourselves to be true to the United States of America and to acknowledge that our freedoms will not be taken for granted nor will we forget the countless men, women and children who have given their lives through the centuries, so that we can live peacefully today.

Taking into consideration that the requirement to stand and recite the pledge of allegiance is required by state law (TE Code § 25.082. School Day; Pledges of Allegiance; Minute of Silence), and understanding the mission of JROTC is to develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community, it should come as no surprise that the requirement to comply with the law governing the pledge of allegiance and moment of silence is mandatory for all JROTC cadets both in and out of uniform.  Any cadet not complying with this requirement will be subject to removal from JROTC immediately.   

PROPER BEHAVIOR DURING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

When you are in uniform, outdoors, stand at attention and render the hand salute while reciting the pledge.
 
When you are in uniform, indoors, stand at attention facing the flag and recite the pledge.  Do not render the hand salute indoors.
 
When you are in civilian attire, stand at attention with the right hand over the heart, face the flag and recite the pledge.