Is the rendering of First Salute/Last Salute mandatory during a change of command ceremony?

The rendering of First Salute/Last Salute is not mandatory during a change of command ceremony, which makes the answer accurate. While salutes are an important tradition in the military to show respect, the requirement to perform them can vary based on the specific context of the ceremony and the individuals involved. In many instances, it is customary for junior ranks to render a salute to senior officers, especially at formal events, but the regulations do not strictly mandate that every change of command must include this practice.

Understanding this nuance is key—while many change of command ceremonies do incorporate saluting as a demonstration of respect, it is not a universal rule; hence the choice indicating that it is not mandatory is correct.