'Latte Salute:' Did Obama Break Protocol?

The internet is angry with President Obama over saluting Marines with the same hand he was using to hold his coffee cup. Here’s a look at whether or not he actually did break protocol by doing so. Photo: Instagram/WhiteHouse

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[definitionofinsanity]

0:25 The Marine 1 Marines standing outside are not officers. They are enlisted sergeants. The pilots flying the helicopter are officers.

[valeriepagendarm]

There are very specific rules. I visited an army nurse friend on the base and she said that she was required to return a salute but only while outdoors and wearing her cover (hat). The enlisted people knew this and would deliberately arrange to pass the nurses to create a salute situation. My friend would drive out of her way and walk under the eaves of buildings where she could remove her cover to avoid this.😂

[SuperTitan]

Oh c'mon people calm down. Is it really that serious!? Technically, he doesn't have to salute at all if he didn't want to. Just like in the military world, just because I saluted an officer doesn't mean he or she has to salute back.

[pointingdog]

President Bush was carrying the dog in his left arm, thus leaving his right hand free to return the salute, unlike the other way with the coffee cup in hand and return the salute in the most half asked way I've seen. I can just imagine the way that President Biden returns the salute, maybe i don't want to know.

[ibew]

the one being saluted is under no obligation to return a salute, as I was taught in boot camp.

[MultiPurposeReviewer]

Imagine how classy it would be if the president (ANY president) stopped walking, set down whatever they were carrying, and saluted the servicemen. Make it a point to acknowledge the gesture.

[KoenVerheyen]

I rule that dogs are not the same as cigarets. Don't @ me.

[MuchWowMoonBoy]

I'm playing COD Warzone with the marine on the right lol

[chimera]

“How scandalous” said FOX News probably

[katrinab]

Hold on @0:47 crazy you added this picture years ago, talking about the Presidents.. Now in 2020 he is 😂

[domwings]

According to military protocol you only salute those higher ranking than you. You also salute the potus vpotus and sec of def

[mimikyuliker]

If trump did this, Fox News would act like he was a revolution

[sharonhudson]

You have to be freaken kidding me. Obama was held to an unbelievable high standard while Trump was held to none. It's simply not fair.

[heatingcow]

You don’t salute as a marine without a headdress, also, it’s not officers the one in the picture is a NCO.

[infiniteded]

Big deal he saluted with a latte in the hand he Republicans will try to point to anything he does in order to make him look bad. Both sides of politics are terrible right now so I'm a Libertarian.

[shortycaroline]

He knows that they will be present at this point. Regardless of who he is could show courtesy for their services and TRY a little harder. Switch the coffee to your left hand?

[johanstenberg]

No uniform no salute. Or even more importantly, no hat no salute. The salute is basically a tap to the hat (instead of taking the hat off). If no hat, stand at attention. Civilians never ever salute.

[BBBYpsi]

Really simple they are the chief in charge of the military so yes they should salute properly

[sergiogarcia]

So, you’re saying Ronald Reagan created this mess? Chalk another up for the man. But, seriously, how about let’s not make it a habit anymore to avoid petty criticism.

[raine]

why is everyone treating this like its such a big deal? i mean i get that the marines are out risking their lives and all that but dont you think you might be overreacting a little bit? cut the old guy some slack, he made one mistake, nobodys perfect. and furthermore there are polititians out there doing WAY worse things than saluting with the wrong hand so maybe you should consider directing your attention to that instead