Dumb Question About Saluting

[SlightlyCatholic]

At the risk of sounding dumb, I'm going to ask a question:

I had a medical incident at a very young age that has stretched the skin between my hand and my forearm. I've been able to do most things (playing sports, writing, eating, etc.) but the one thing I cannot do is straighten out my hand (i.e., saluting!). Can any of you give me your opinion on how not being able to salute correctly would affect one's existence in the military? I've been told that I can have corrective surgery but there's a good chance that they'll cut the tendon in the process. I don't want to risk that.

So my question is this: If I choose to go into the military, will my career/ability to be in the military be affected by an inability to salute correctly?

[Billyd]

As it is a physical condition, most likely no. However, check with your local recruiter and, if you can, you local MEPS.

[SlightlyCatholic]

Originally Posted by Billyd

As it is a physical condition, most likely no. However, check with your local recruiter and, if you can, you local MEPS.

I was told it's not a disqualifying condition medically, but I'm not sure that a military member would be looked upon in a good light of he or she had a poor salute.

[PhilK]

You will be ok, I served under a Colonel who had an issue with his hand, and another officer who had an issue his shoulder. Both their salutes looked odd, but the important thing is they were good at their jobs.

[SlightlyCatholic]

Originally Posted by PhilK

You will be ok, I served under a Colonel who had an issue with his hand, and another officer who had an issue his shoulder. Both their salutes looked odd, but the important thing is they were good at their jobs.

Thanks for the input, Phil. I'm looking at being a Chaplain, so I'm pretty sure my salute will be one of my lesser concerns....but I wanted to ask anyway, since the people on this forum have BTDT.

[Woody]

After basic training wouldnt really be an issuse.I'd assume on the drill square you might get some harsh language but that would be it.
Could be worse read about an englishman who spent his childhood in nazi germany when he came to do his national service in england found his style of marching and saluting not really suitable

[Spider]

Originally Posted by timwoodhead@hotmail.com

After basic training wouldnt really be an issuse.

I can't recall seeing a padre salute anyone, I suppose the Queen would get one though. Then again I understand that the chaplains in the Army have ranks and a more hierarchical structure than those in the Andrew.

Originally Posted by timwoodhead@hotmail.com

Could be worse read about an englishman who spent his childhood in nazi germany when he came to do his national service in england found his style of marching and saluting not really suitable

Wasn't on ARRSE was it? Have you heard of Werner Volkner of the Totenkopfverbande (sp?) and later the Westminster Dragoons?

[SlightlyCatholic]

I don't see military chaplains being too big on customs and courtesies beyond the normal standard of military life (except funerals, dedications, and such). The only reason they're promoted and given rank is to watch over their own and govern their chaplains independently from the military chain of command.

[mtnsldr]

It depends on the Chaplain. I'll tell you what, when I was at Benning for OBC, there was an O-5 Chaplain with a Combat Scroll and CIB. Yeah, more than a few guys wound up on the bad side of that guy thinking he was "cool" because he was a chaplain...

[SlightlyCatholic]

Originally Posted by mtnsldr

It depends on the Chaplain. I'll tell you what, when I was at Benning for OBC, there was an O-5 Chaplain with a Combat Scroll and CIB. Yeah, more than a few guys wound up on the bad side of that guy thinking he was "cool" because he was a chaplain...

People think clergy can't be hard*sses and then they meet people like that...it's good for people to see. However, I do think that the Chaplain should be approachable to everybody at the command, no matter what rank or position.