Australia and New Zealand In both countries, the right-hand salute is generally identical to, and drawn from the traditions of, the British armed forces. The salute of the Australian or New Zealand Army is best described as the right arm taking the path of the longest way up and then the shortest way down.
In the Australian Defence Force (ADF), a lower-ranked person salutes first and then the more senior member returns the compliment. The person saluting makes eye contact with the person being greeted. In the presence of the enemy, military salutes are generally forbidden.
There are several types of military salutes - the hand salute, the rifle salute at order arms, a rifle salute at right shoulder, and still another rifle salute at present arms.
The hand and wrist are straight, the elbow inclined slightly forward, and the upper arm horizontal. A well-executed salute is crisp, quick, and immediate, with both subordinate and senior officer making the movement in a professional gesture of respect and recognition of that respect.
Australia's Federation Guard conduct a national 21 gun salute to honour the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, on the Forecourt of Parliament House, Canberra.
Australia and New Zealand
In both countries, the right-hand salute is generally identical to, and drawn from the traditions of, the British armed forces. The salute of the Australian or New Zealand Army is best described as the right arm taking the path of the longest way up and then the shortest way down.
The tradition of the Gun Salute originated in the early 14th Century, firstly as a ceremonial method of creating noise to honour a guest and secondly for the practical purpose of confirming the guns were empty.
While a salute is considered to be a gesture of respect, there's etiquette involved when it comes to rendering a hand salute, whether you are a veteran, active service member, or civilian. As a civilian, saluting soldiers is not a recommended way to honor a current or former member of the military.
Salutes should be accompanied with a greeting such as “Good Morning / Afternoon / Evening… (Ma'am or Sir or Rank + Surname).” Officers of equal rank salute more or less simultaneously when greeting one another. When seated outdoors a more junior officer should rise and salute to greet a more senior officer.
Military salutes are normally performed with the right hand. The left-hand salute however is not exactly unauthorized as the Navy allows this salute when the right-hand needs to hold on to something while aboard ship.
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.
The Flag Code states that if you render a hand salute during the Pledge you must do it as you were in full uniform. So a veteran can render a hand salute but they must remain silent during the pledge. If you are going to recite the pledge you should place your hand over your heart.
Whom do you salute? It is a requirement to salute all Officers of the Armed Forces (Air Force, Navy, Marines, etc) and Officers of allied nations when you recognize their rank. A salute will not be rendered for Noncommissioned Officers.
Saluting is a military custom by which a soldier signals acknowledgement of the due respect to a superior rank. Salutes are reciprocated at the highest levels up to and including Heads of State and are indicative of a feeling of mutual trust and respect.
No one knows the precise origin of today's hand salute. From earliest times and in many distant armies throughout history, the right hand (or "weapon hand") has been raised as a greeting of friendship. The idea may have been to show that you weren't ready to use a rock or other weapon.
Today's military salute
The museum says the palm down portion of the salute may have been influenced by the salute style of the British Navy at the time. A sailor's hands were often dirty, and exposing a dirty palm – especially to a superior – would have been deemed disrespectful.
Salutes are not required to be rendered or returned when the senior or subordinate or both are— (1) In civilian attire. (2) Engaged in routine work if the salute would interfere. (3) Carrying articles with both hands so occupied as to make saluting impractical.
Saluting. A common misconception is that saluting at a military funeral is a show of respect. Although no rule exists stating civilians cannot salute, it is best to leave this to former and active military personnel.
Left Handed Salutes. Actually only the Naval services (Navy and Marine Corps) are authorized to salute with the left hand when necessary. This usually means when your right hand/ arm is incapacitated due to injury but it can also apply at other times.
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).
Thank you for serving our country and protecting our freedoms. Thank you for bravely doing what you're called to do so we can safely do what we're free to do. You have defended freedom and peace with courage and honor. Today the nation honors you with gratitude.
The American Legion says a three-rifle volley “consists of no less than three and no more than seven rifles firing three volleys in memory of the fallen.” A 21-gun salute uses a battery or artillery pieces instead of rifles and is reserved for heads of state, like the president or a former president.
While the "National Salute" had been formally established as the 21-gun salute, the current tradition holds the salute on Independence Day to be a 50 rounds—one round for each state in the union.
A specific number of guns is fired to honour VIPs in accordance with their status. Royalty and heads of state receive a 21-gun salute, field marshals, state officials and equivalents receive a 19-gun salute, generals and equivalent ranks receive 17, and so on down to 11 for a brigadier.