Military personnel in uniform are required to salute when they meet and recognize persons entitled (by grade) to a salute except when it is inappropriate or impractical (in public conveyances such as planes and buses, in public places such as inside theaters, or when driving a vehicle).
One notable player, Shawn Kemp, enrolled in college but never played any games due to personal problems. In 1989, a year after his high school graduation, he was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics. He played 14 seasons in the NBA and was selected to 6 All-Star Games and 3 All-NBA Teams.
Nat Clifton was the first African American to sign an NBA contract and play in the NBA. Others signed the contract but we soon cut from the team, He was in the military but soon became a forward positioner for the NY Knicks where he played seven seasons. He averaged ten points and eight rebounds per game.