On Jan 12, 9:35*am, wrote:
It has nothing to do with YOU "earning" any "right" (at least in the way
you seem to mean) - you are not in the military and therefore, there is
no relationship for you to salute superiors and/or their rank/commission
with a military salute. *

To clarify my perspective on a salute, it's because it is meaningless
militarily that I eschew that gesture. For me to offer a meaningless
pretend salute is IMO to confer upon myself the honor of being a
member of his military brotherhood, which, as I said, I haven't
earned. I can salute him with my words or actions, but a military
style salute just wouldn't seem right to me.

If these guys are going around saluting each
other, covered or not, inside or out,

Nah, nobody went that far. They just like the "cool" pants and hats.

well, I guess "inappropriate" would be the word I'd use, but
"offensive," no, not unless there was some offense intended.

Since my initial question, I've reflected that all of the men
participating in this activity are relatively young; the oldest being
34, AFAIK. I am supposing that they see it all a great deal
differently than someone twice most of their ages. It's simple hero
worship of a strong role model (and probably similar to young girls
wanting to dress like Brittany Spears or some such BS of that sort.)

But Frank hit the nail on the head. They're old enough that they can
shoot real guns; but young enough that they're just "playing soldier".

Joe F.