Newly Commissioned Officer Gets First Salute From Marine Corps Master Sgt Dad

There’s truly no shortage of proud moments as a parent. Your kids’ first steps, their first words, the first time they turn off the kitchen light without having to be reminded. The milestones kids hit as they grow up are well worth celebrating, but there comes a time when our kids are no longer kids, and suddenly they’re accomplishing things that are thoroughly impressive at any age.
For Master Sergeant Michael Fisher, his incredibly proud father-son moment was captured on video and shared with the world. Master Sergeant Fisher is an instructor with the Marine Corps Junior ROTC program, and an undoubtedly fulfilling part of his role is rendering newly commissioned officers their first official salutes.
In a video Master Sergeant Fisher shared on TikTok that’s been liked over 1.2 million times in just a week, the proud dad shared an especially moving milestone for a new Second Lieutenant – his own son.
“I’ve watched you grow and mature and become the man that you are today,” Master Sergeant Fisher says in the video, his voice filled with emotion. “You have always been respectful, by saying ‘Yes sir.’ ‘No sir.’ ‘Yes, ma’am.’ And ‘No, ma’am.’”
“A salute is a sign of respect,” he continues shakily, looking at his son as if nothing else in the world exists in that moment. “It is a privilege to render you your first salute. But it is a greater honor to say ‘Congratulations, sir, on your commissioning.'”
@e8msgtRendering my son his 1st Salute! ##marine ##2ndLT ##usmc ##fatherson ##fyp ##military ##instructor♬ original sound – Mike Fisher
In that moment, the newly commissioned Second Lieutenant raises his own hand in a salute. Father and son face each other, the silent moment filled with pride, mutual respect, and an enormous amount of love.
The emotional moment touched millions around the world, highlighting just how impactful life’s big moments truly are. Had one thing in this situation had been different, it still would have been worth celebrating. A Master Sergeant giving any newly commissioned officer their first salute is powerful. A father proudly watching his son accomplish something incredible is undeniably heartwarming. But when these milestone moments converge, the result is nothing short of extraordinary.