The salute is a military greeting.
Personnel in uniform are required to salute on all military occasions and
when initiating or returning the salutes of certain other personnel.
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History of Salutes
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The use of military salutes probably originated
in prerecorded history. In antiquity, an armed warrior raised his right
hand when meeting another member to show that he held no weapons and that
it was a friendly meeting.
During the Age of Chivalry, it was customary
that friendly knights raised their visor and exposed their face to the
view of others as gesture of goodwill. This was always done with the right
hand (the usual sword hand) by removing it from the vicinity of the weapon.
This historical practice is drawn correctly in the many famous artistic
works of Harold R. Foster's Prince Valiant. Even gentlemen in later times
threw back their long capes by raising the right arm. With this gesture,
they disclosed that their hand was not on their sword or dagger, which
was often carried under the cloaks.
Rendering the salute has varied through
the ages, but it was always meant as sign of friendship and was given willingly.
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Women and Salutes
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Women in uniform had to follow strictly
the usual military rules for saluting.
An exception was made indoors, where military
men were usually required to remove their hat but women were expected to
remain covered.
The established customary wear of hats by women
within buildings, such as at church and public gatherings, was followed
by the military as in civilian life. In these cases, the woman's hat was
considered part of her dress and was not taken off. (However, the hat was
removed at work, in classrooms, etc.) |
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Do you miss men since you're
in the Army, Thelma?
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Whereas male Army Officers were addressed
as "Sir", female Army officers were addressed as "Ma'am".
The Navy did not allow either “Ma’am” or “Sir”
in addressing female officers, but instead permitted, "Good morning (afternoon/evening
...), Miss ...",
or if the name was unknown, the rank was used instead of the name.
However, In the Women's Reserve of the Coast
Guard the use of "Sir"
as a salutation for women officers was used whenever the name of the woman
officer was unknown. |
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Execution of the Hand Salute
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The Army Way
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"To execute the hand salute correctly, raise
the right hand smartly until the tip of the forefinger touches the lower
part of the headdress or forehead above and slightly to the right of the
right eye, thumb and fingers extended and joined, palm to the left, arm
horizontal, forearm inclined at a 45 degree angle°, hand and wrist
straight.
At the same time, turn the head toward the
person saluted. To complete the salute, drop the arm to its normal position
by the side in one motion, at the same time turning the head and eyes to
the front."
(The Officer's Guide, The Military Service
Publishing Co., 1943, p.352). |
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The Navy Way
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"The salute should be firm and deliberate.
The arm should be brought up smartly.
Women are expected to bring their upper arm
up even with the shoulder, but slightly forward. Keep the elbow up. Keep
the forearm straight from fingertips to elbow.
The fingertips should touch the hat-brim,
fingers held close together and the thumb held firmly against the forefinger.
The palm should face the deck.
The person giving the salute should be able
to see the entire palm and the person receiving the salute none. Look straight
at the person being saluted and smile. Bring the hand down from the salute
smartly and in a straight line." |
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(Guide Right - A Handbook for WAVES and
SPARS by Mary Virginia Harris, Lieutenant, U.S.N.R, the Macmillan Company,
1944)
Rendering the Salute in General
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Those entitled to the salute are commissioned
and warrant officers of the US Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and
Public Health Service, when in uniform, as well as enlisted recipients
of the Medal of Honor. This included women in the various services. During
World War II, it was also proper to salute uniformed officers of other
Allied countries, such as those serving within the United Nations.
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Before the instant arrives to render a salute,
stand or walk erectly with your head up, chin in, and tighten the stomach
to prevent a slovenly appearance. If a person is running, one must come
to a walk before saluting.
Enlisted personnel or officers junior in rank
must anticipate and execute the salute first, hold their saluting position
smartly until the salute is returned, and then quickly lower the saluting
arm. |
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If you are an officer and return the salute
of an enlisted person, execute the raising and lowering of the salute in
the cadence of marching, ONE, TWO. The salute must never be returned in
a casual or unthinking manner, but always as a conscious greeting of respect.
The Naval Salute requires a vocal greeting
with the hand salute. The Army salute was often accompanied by a vocal
greeting, such as “Good afternoon, Ma’am/Sir”or could vary by required
custom within certain units. For example, paratroopers would salute with
the words, “Airborne, Sir!” or “All the Way, Sir!” |
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The salute is rendered within saluting distance
(distance within which recognition is assured). The salute is begun when
about six paces from the person or colors saluted or, in case the approach
is outside that distance, six paces from the point of nearest approach.
Except in formation, when a salute is prescribed
the individual either faces toward the person or colors saluted or turns
the head so as to observe the person or color saluted. |
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Where the Salute is rendered
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Army
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1. Outdoors, enlisted personnel is required
to render the salute to commissioned officers, except in combat or under
certain field conditions, because saluting could expose superiors to sniper
fire. Saluting was also not required under many working circumstances where
operations would be endangered by saluting practices (refueling aircraft,
etc.)
2. Indoors, salutes are not exchanged
except when reporting to a superior officer. "Indoors" means within any
building or room within a building.
3. A group of enlisted personnel within
the confines of military posts, camps, or stations and not in formation,
on the approach of an officer, is called to attention by the first person
noticing him; if in formation, by the one in charge. If outdoors and not
in formation, they all salute; in formation, the salute is rendered by
the enlisted person in charge.
4. Drivers of vehicles salute only when
the vehicle is stopped in a non-combat setting.
5. The salute had to be rendered to the colors
(American flag) when the National Anthem is played.
6.When Passing or being passed by the National
colors (American flag), salutes are automatically rendered. |
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Navy / Coast Guard
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1. On the street.
2. Within military areas or Naval yards on first
meeting each day of senior officers with whom you are closely associated
Because these are working areas, like the Army practice, saluting was dispensed
with otherwise because it interfered with operations.
3. When the National Anthem is played
and male personnel have hats on.
4. At Colors from the first note of bugle
to last note, even if the American flag is out of sight.
5. When the American Flag passes, carried
in procession or parade (but not when the flag is carried by large groups
of civilians as a patriotic gesture, such as troops of boy or girl scouts
each carrying a small flag.
6. Always return all salutes, even if
improperly given, or if rendered by civilians. |
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Where the Salute is not rendered
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Army
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1. Enlisted personnel in ranks and not at attention
comes to attention when addressed by an officer (but don't render a salute).
2.Details (and individuals) at work do not salute.
The officer or noncommissioned officer in charge, if not actively engaged
at the time, salutes or acknowledges salutes for the entire detail.
3. In churches, theatres, or places of public
assemblage, or in a public conveyance, salutes are not exchanged.
4. When on the march, in combat, or under simulated
campaign conditions.
5. The driver of a vehicle in motion is not required
to salute.
6. When actively engaged at sports and athletic
activities.
7. When carrying required articles with both
hands, or when otherwise so occupied with required military duties as to
make saluting impracticable. |
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Navy / Coast Guard
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1.When male personnel would not be covered, as in
offices and restaurants, and when out of uniform.
2. In a church.
3. In any crowded area, such as a theater foyer
or hotel lobby.
4. On busses, streetcars, trains.
5. Within most railroad stations (but if a station
platform is not crowded, a salute should be rendered as a greeting to a
senior).
6. In a wardroom or Mess.
7. While actively engaged in recreation and sports. |
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Most Frequently Observed Errors
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failing to hold the position of the salute
until it is returned |
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failure to look at the person or color saluted |
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failure to assume the position of attention
while saluting |
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failure to have the thumb and fingers extended
and joined |
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a bent wrist (the hand and the wrist should
be in the same plane) |
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turning out of the palm of hand |
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failure to have the upper arm horizontal |
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saluting with a cigarette in the right hand
or in the mouth |
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saluting with the left hand in a pocket |
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returning a salute in a casual or perfunctory
manner |
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failure to come down from the salute smartly
and in a direct line - not in a curve |
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Additional information with nice illustrations
can be found at
www.hardscrabblefarm.com
under the following link:
"When
to Salute" and "How Not to Salute"
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Literature
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The Officer's Guide,
The Military Service Publishing
Co., 1943
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The Navy Officer's Guide
by Arthur A Ageton,
Commander , U.S. Navy, Whittlesey
House McGraw-Hill Book Company (1943)
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Guide Right - A Handbook for WAVES and
SPARS
by Mary Vriginia Harris, Lieutenant,
USNR, Macmillan Company (1944)
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WWII Movies
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For those who would like to have vivid examples
in motion, I recommend the following WWII movies about American servicewomen.
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