Quote Originally Posted by InsaneApache View Post
I understand that he's C-in-C but Madge* only salutes back if she's in uniform. If not they get a nod of the head or a little wave.

*Her Britannic Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
As our dear Seamus found:

...he is commander in chief and civilian clothes are his uniform...
Note that Ronnie often substituted "costume" and "wardrobe" for "uniform", throwing back to his actor days.

But yeah, Madge has it right, no acknowledgement at all is actually required of POTUS, and often none is given when entering (for example) a formally-guarded building and the guards 'present, arms!' silently as he enters the facility. They (the guards) wait for him to pass, then resume 'order, arms!'. It would be the same at Marine 1 or Air Force 1, except Ronnie wanted to get personal, and started the new tradition.