"Just to follow up on this answer: President Reagan asked his military adviser John Kline whether it would be acceptable for him to return military salutes. Kline claimed it went against military protocol to return the salutes. Reagan then asked Gen. Robert Barrow, commandant of the Marine Corps. > Barrow told Reagan that as commander in chief of the armed forces, he was entitled to offer a salute — or any sign of respect he wished — to anyone he wished, Kline wrote, adding he was glad for the change. [\(source\)](http://blogs.reuters.com/talesfr...) The salute is technically incorrect because saluting requires being in uniform, and it has been criticized as "playing soldier" and as a "glorification of the president as a war leader." ([source](http://blogs.reuters.com/talesfr...))" - Kevin Bondelli