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.
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).
A later amendment further authorized hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel. This was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed on Oct. 14, 2008.
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.
It is a gesture of respect and sign of comradeship among military service personnel. Accordingly, the salute is a uniform gesture; meaning that the highest man in rank returns the salute in the same form in which it is rendered to him.
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 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.
The salute is performed with the middle and index fingers extended and touching each other, while the ring and little fingers are bent and touched by the thumb. The tips of the middle and index fingers touch the peak of the cap, the two fingers have been interpreted as honour and fatherland (Honor i Ojczyzna).
There aren't many restrictions on who can give the first salute, so long as they served on the enlisted side.
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 courtesy of the salute is encumbent on all military personnel, whether in garrison or in public places, in uniform or civilian clothes.
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.
A: No need to stand at attention even once you're a Marine unless it's truly a commanding officer of a unit like a battalion. Just give the greeting of the day and say “Good afternoon sir, how are you?” or something like that.
The notification officer will then articulate -- as naturally as possible -- something close to the following: "The commandant of the Marine Corps has entrusted me to express his deep regret that your (relationship), John (died/was killed in action) in (place of incident -- city/state or country) on (date).
1. Order arms is the position of the individual at attention with the rifle. It is assumed on the commands “ATTENTION” from any of the rest positions except fallout. Order arms is assumed on the command “FALL IN,” and on the command “Order, ARMS,” from any position in the manual except inspection arms and sling arms.
A shaka sign – the unmistakable pinky and thumb salute – is the ultimate symbol of Aloha and local culture in Hawaii. Interpreted to mean “hang loose” or “right on,” the Hawaiian Shaka is a constant reminder that in Hawaii, it is not the norm to worry or rush.
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.
a sign meaning victory or peace that is made by holding up the first two fingers of one hand in the shape of a V, while the thumb and other fingers are folded down and face out. Compare. peace sign.
The salute (hand or head) must be performed first by the lower ranking personnel to the higher ranking personnel, and higher official is expected to return the salute, under all conditions except: Personnel who are driving vehicles. Personnel who are on sentry, patrol, observation duty or defending a specific point.
When passing an uncased National Flag outside, all uniformed military should salute. It is not customary for Marines and Navy members to salute during "To the Colors," the National Anthem or an uncased National flag if they are in physical training uniform or are not wearing head gear.
Navy custom permits left-hand saluting when a salute cannot be rendered with the right hand. Army and Air Force customs permit only right-hand salutes. Under naval customs, the hand salute is accompanied by a word of greeting.
Semper Fidelis is used as a greeting, a motivation, and an expression that unites past and present Marines.
The first salute a newly commissioned officer receives is a special moment. Naval tradition holds that the new officer should return the honor of a salute with the special token of a silver dollar. While at OCS, you should think about who you would like to give you your first 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.