Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) is saluted (Caption)

yahooophotos | 07/22/08 | yahooo

[TornadoAlley3]

US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) is saluted as he steps off an osprey upon arriving at Marka Airport in Amman, Jordan, July 22, 2008.

[TornadoAlley3]

[SolidWood]

Did they crop out the serviceman's crossed fingers?

BTW Obama can't even correctly sip tea. Sheesh.

[TornadoAlley3]

[TornadoAlley3]

[WayneS]

Since when are presidential candidates saluted by our military?

Or is he being saluted because he is a sitting U.S. Senator... I hope?

[TornadoAlley3]

Should Obama acknowledge the soldier saluting? What is the policy?

[Non-Sequitur]

Well at least Obama didn’t try and salute back. I still think it was wrong for Reagan to start doing that.

[TornadoAlley3]

My question also? I thought only presidents, but do not know.

[angcat]

Why is he being saluted? Why is he not returning the salute??????????????????????????????????????????? PLEASE SOMEONE SMACK HIM IN THE FACE FOR ME!

[WilliamofCarmichael]

It’s been talked about on FR several times already, but just wait until he delivers his Kennedyesque “Ich bin ein beginner” speech — the MSM employees will be spellbound. There will be no other news for days.

[SolidWood]

I think the President as Commander in Chief should be able to return a salute. At least if he had served himself. Obama doing this however would be ridiculous. Just like everything else he does.

[Hegemony Cricket]

“Ich bin ein beginner” - LOL - I figured he’d give his speech in Frankfurt or Hamburg...

[mware]

[edit] From United States Army Field Manual FM 22-5
The rules of saluting are as follows:

When you meet someone outside, salute as soon as you recognize an officer (when about six steps away).
Salute all officers (recognized by rank) in official vehicles identified by special plates or flags.
Salute only on command when in formation.
If in a group and an officer approaches, the first soldier to recognize the officer calls the group to attention and all personnel salute.
If you approach an officer while you are double-timing alone, assume quick time march and render the hand salute. When the salute is returned, execute order arms and resume double-timing.
The salute is always initiated by the subordinate and is terminated only after acknowledgement by the individual being saluted.
Accompany the salute with an appropriate greeting, such as, “Good morning/afternoon, sir/ma’am.“
Salutes are not required to be rendered by or to personnel who are driving or riding in privately owned vehicles.
It is not customary for enlisted personnel to exchange salutes, except in some ceremonial situations.
Never render a salute with a noticeable object in your mouth or right hand.
If you are on detail and an officer approaches, salute if you are in charge of the detail. Otherwise, continue to work. If you are spoken to, then come to attention.
All Medal of Honor recipients are to be saluted by everyone in the military, to include the President of the United States.
Saluting is generally prohibited in field conditions, as it could help an enemy identify officers.

[SE Mom]

Seeing this and another of these pictures of GI’s saluting Obama so enraged me I called my son and asked him the protocol.

He said “ The only civilians you must salute are sitting and former CiC’s. Period.”

[Centurion2000]

Well at least Obama didn’t try and salute back. I still think it was wrong for Reagan to start doing that.

Considering he is the head of the military, I think it's a great tradition.

[gate2wire]

There is probably an officer escorting hussein. Obstructed by the helicopter?

[mware]

As far as I know the only two civilians who are entitled to a salute are the Secretary of Defence and the President, who are both legally in the chain of command. You'll see the Marine guards saluting the President as he disembarks AF or Marine 1, and you'll see uniformed servicemen saluting the SECDEF when they greet him

I am wondering if Obama was walking in back or in front of the American flag.

[SE Mom]

Hadn’t thought of that- I hope with all my heart you’re right.

[Jeff Head]

Unless there is an officer there in front of Hussein whom we cannot see who is the one getting saluted, Hussein as a Senator, or as a civilian should definitely NOT be saluted.

I would not put it pass the MSM at all, to edit this pic so it looks like Obama is being saluted...which will just offend the military in general and make Obama look like the pretencious person he is.

Ranking officers, Medal of Honor recipients, and the President of the United States are the ones who get saluted.

CHOOSING THE NEXT PRESIDENT

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA - CHANGE YOU CAN COUNT ON, BUT DON'T WANT

THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH ABOUT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA

[gate2wire]

I hope so too. Am looking around for photos from different angles. No luck yet.

[WayneS]

“All Medal of Honor recipients are to be saluted by everyone in the military, to include the President of the United States.”

Now THAT one I like. I’m not in the military and I’d STILL want to salute them.

[Loud Mime]

Saluting is generally prohibited in field conditions, as it could help an enemy identify officers.

Now we know the soldier is NOT an Obama fan.

[SE Mom]

Nope- here's another one.

[DustyMoment]

Everyone makes mistakes. Betcha right now, that Marine is kicking himself thinking - “He’s NOT the president and I DIDN’T have to salute him”. CRAP!!!

[mware]

Saluting is generally prohibited in field conditions, as it could help an enemy identify officers.

Now we know the soldier is NOT an Obama fan.

The same thing passed through my thoughts too.

[SE Mom]

Unless the legs walking down the ramp are those of an officer- but in this series of pics- shortly after this, are 2-3 civilians walking with Obama..

[SolidWood]

Isn’t this the same occasion Obama walked around with Gen. Petreaus. Could it be that Petreaus is nearby (a few steps)?

[SE Mom]

No- these are pics from today as he landed in Jordan.

There must be some other explanation- SOMEWHERE out of our range there must be an officer.

[Northern Yankee]

Am wondering if there is an officer coming down the ramp, and not in view of the camera?

Salute to Obama doesn't seem to work here. Obama is already passed the soldier rendering the salute.

My guess anyway....

[gate2wire]

Dang...was hoping this was the same trip.

[SolidWood]

Also note that the serviceman’s head is slightly directed towards the interior of the plane. I’m confident there is an Officer stepping out. Would be great to have footage. I seriously doubt that Obama would have no one else coming after him out of the plane.

[wilco200]

The guy is probably saluting so that Obama doesn’t think he’s there to carry his bags.

[Diggler]

I am wondering if Obama was walking in back or in front of the American flag. Or on it.

[gate2wire]

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) (L) carries a helmet and protective body armour as he walks with Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) after stepping off an osprey aircraft at Marka Airport in Amman, Jordan, July 22, 2008.

[Former War Criminal]

What helicopter??

Does the Messiah get any credit for carrying his own luggage?

[kabar]

Are you sure that is not a host country soldier?

[Fresh Wind]

Saluting is generally prohibited in field conditions, as it could help an enemy identify officers.

What if the person you are saluting IS an enemy officer?

[kabar]

Obama should have worn a coat and tie for this meeting.

[gate2wire]

Apparently it’s an Osprey. My mistake.

[mware]

I am wondering if Obama was walking in back or in front of the American flag. Or on it.

That is when the young marine in question opens a can of whoop @ss.

[mware]

He seems to be struggling just carrying the equipment.

[Sacajaweau]

Hey...These Gold Chairs are cool. How do you get to be President in THIS country??

[TornadoAlley3]

The salute is always initiated by the subordinate and is terminated only after acknowledgement by the individual being saluted.
and said nothing about a senator correct? What if salute is never acknowledged? Did Obama acknowledge salute?

[Pit1]

There will be no other news for days.

Except John McCains VP selection.

[Sacajaweau]

I think you’re probably right. Pretty clever of the unbiased photographer though....

[LongElegantLegs]

It’s really not a big deal; ‘when in doubt, salute’ is what Marines are taught.
See something shiny on the collar? Salute! See a blue sticker on the car? Salute!

Maybe this was his first time as the greeter and he just wasn’t sure.

[mware]

Barack wouldn't have a clue of how to acknowledge a salute from the military.

Remember the first time Clinton attempted to acknowledge a salute when he became CIC?

[Sacajaweau]

The soldier’s hand looks so low in that picture, I’m not certain it’s even a salute.

[TornadoAlley3]

I agree not that big of a deal, I wanted to know protocol, and also it just really makes me sick to think a chance he could be commander of our military and they have to salute him.