MILITARY SALUTES
The salute isn't simply an honor exchanged; it's a privileged gesture of respect and trust among military members. Remember: The salute is not only prescribed by regulation, but is also recognition of each other's commitment, abilities, and professionalism.
The salute is widely misunderstood outside the military. Some consider it to be a gesture of servility since the junior extends a salute to the senior, but this interpretation isn't true at all. The salute is an expression that recognizes each other as a member of the profession of arms — that they have made a personal commitment of self-sacrifice to preserve the American way of life. The fact that the junior extends the greeting first is merely a point of etiquette — a salute extended or returned makes the same statement.
Tip: The way you salute says a lot about you as a military member. A proud, smart salute shows pride in yourself and your unit and that you're confident in your abilities as a soldier. A sloppy salute can mean that you're ashamed of your unit, lack confidence, or, at the very least, haven't learned how to salute correctly.
You'll get plenty of practice saluting in basic training, but it wouldn't hurt to practice in front of a mirror several times before you leave so that you can do it correctly automatically.
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 salute is also rendered:
- When the United States National Anthem, "To the Color," "Hail to the Chief," or foreign national anthems are played
- To uncased National Color outdoors
- On ceremonial occasions, such as changes of command or funerals
- At reveille and retreat ceremonies, during the raising or lowering of the flag
- When pledging allegiance to the U.S. flag outdoors
- When turning over control of formations
- When rendering reports
- On the stern of a ship when arriving or departing from the ship
- To officers of friendly foreign countries
Salutes are not required when:
- Indoors, unless reporting to an officer or when on duty as a guard
- When you're in a combat zone
- When you're a prisoner
Saluting is obviously inappropriate:
- Either the senior or the subordinate is wearing civilian clothes
In any case not covered by specific instructions, render the salute.
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