How long has Barack Obama been President?  Six month and four days on Saturday, more than long enough to figure out protocol for ceremonies involving the military and color guards.  As Politico reports from the Marine Corps Evening Parade, that’s apparently not long enough for training:

There were drill routines and more tunes from the Commandant’s Own Marine Band. And, a cameo from Lance Corporal Chesty XIII – the English bulldog mascot of the barracks.

At 10:03 POTUS walked out to the center walk with Colonel Smith and Commandant Conway for the Commandant’s review. The band played the National Anthem. POTUS put his hand on his heart.

During the review POTUS seemed to struggle to figure out if he should salute when the Commandant and Colonel did. At first he went to lift his right hand but stopped. The next time the Commandant and Colonel saluted POTUS saluted quickly, like he does when boarding Marine One, while the Commandant and Colonel held theirs. At one point the Commandant and Colonel saluted, and POTUS did quickly. But this time the Commandant and Colonel held their salute for a long time. POTUS kept his hand at his side for a bit. Then at one point he put his hand on his heart. Then it was back by his side.

Wouldn’t it be nice if the White House had a protocol office who could walk the rookie through his paces at public events?  Oh, wait … they already have one.

Addendum: Normally I’d put a link to Chris Muir’s Day by Day site here, but today I want to do more than that. Chris has a fundraising drive to keep his excellent cartoon alive.  Be sure to drop a few dollars in his collection to keep one of the Rightosphere’s most talented warriors in the fight!