Soldiers are required to perfect the military salute, as a sloppy salute is considered disrespectful . A proper salute involves raising the right hand with the fingers and thumb extended and joined together with the palm down.
Which civilians do you salute?
Actually, no regulation specifies that the president should salute (or return the salute of) military personnel. In fact, U.S. Army regulations, for example, state that neither civilians nor those wearing civilian attire (both of which describe the U.S. president) are required to render salutes.
Do you salute Secretary Defense?
Do military members have to salute civilians such as the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Army, etc? A: With the exception of National Guard forces, the only civilian who military personnel MUST salute is the President of the United States .
Who do you salute in the army?
salute to all officers and warrant officers of the U.S. Armed Forces, officers of friendly armed forces and authorized civilians of selected state and federal governmental positions. Officers should salute other officers and authorized civilians of higher rank.
Do you have to salute officers in the army?
All military enlisted personnel in uniform are required to salute when they meet and recognize a commissioned or warrant officer , except when it is inappropriate or impractical (for example, if you’re carrying something using both hands).
Is a left handed salute disrespectful?
Saluting with the left or right hand has nothing to do with being disrespectful . The salute, in and of itself, no matter which hand is used, is respectful. The US military uses the right hand for a reason and that reason is utilitarian, not an issue of respect.
Do officers salute back at the gate?
When you enter a military installation a gate guard will check your ID card. If it is a military member, they will salute officers. It is customary to return the salute whether you are in uniform or wearing civilian clothes.
Can I salute in civilian clothes?
You don’t have to salute indoors, except when you report to a superior officer . If either person is wearing civilian clothes and you do not recognize the other person as a superior officer, salutes are unnecessary. ... Soldiers reporting to an NCO do not salute.
What do soldiers say when they salute?
Saying “ Good morning, Sir ,” or something along those lines is encouraged when you salute a superior. Perform the salute, then greet the soldier while holding the salute. If you are reporting to the officer, you should identify yourself and state that you are reporting. For example, “Sir, Private Jones reports.”
Why do soldiers salute with their right hand?
Knights in armor raised visors with the right hand when meeting a comrade . This practice gradually became a way of showing respect and, in early American history, sometimes involved removing the hat. By 1820, the motion was modified to touching the hat, and since then it has become the Hand Salute used today.
Do you salute if you’re not in uniform?
During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present in uniform should render the military salute . Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute.
Do officers have to salute Medal of Honor winners?
While military members aren’t required to salute Medal of Honor recipients, they are encouraged to do so as long as the recipient is physically wearing the medal , even when the recipient is in civilian clothes. ... There have even been cases of American presidents saluting MoH recipients.
Do you salute without a cover?
The United States Army and United States Air Force give salutes with head both covered and uncovered, but saluting indoors is forbidden except when formally reporting to a superior officer or during an indoor ceremony.
What does a slow hand salute mean?
A regular salute is a quick motion: the saluting hand snaps up, holds until the salute is returned, then snaps back down. ... Occasionally you will see slow salutes during a flag-passing ceremony as part of a retirement to indicate respect for the flag and the person who is retiring .
Do ex military salute the flag?
Recent legislation gives Veterans the lifetime privilege to salute the flag . This privilege is also extended to all active duty service members while not in uniform. They may now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the National Anthem or during raising, lowering or passing the American flag.
It is believed that the U.S. military’s salute was influenced by British military , although it differs slightly, in that the palm of the hand faces down towards the shoulder. This difference may date back to the days of sailing ships, when tar and pitch were used to seal the timber from seawater.
