Really, what was the hand salute originally used for?
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.
And, why do British soldiers salute differently? As an almost nostalgic throw back to the 18th century, the army decided in 1870 to have a different salute for the other ranks. The palm-out hand salute was back. This was clearly influenced by the adoption of the palm out salute by other powers such as France and the United States.
Furthermore there, when did America change its salute?
In the case of the U.S. Army, palms down becoming widespread during the Indian Wars and was universally adopted by the time of the Spanish-American War of 1898. It was not officially standardized in writing, however, until the issuance of the Drill and Ceremony manual of 1914.
Do you ever salute with your left hand?
In the Army and Air Force, the salute is given with the right hand palm facing forward and fingers slightly touching the right side of the forehead, but not on the forehead. ... The salute is never performed by the left hand even if the right hand is occupied.
The strangest thing to me is when the President or Vice-President returns a salute when they are saluted by military personnel. Again, they are uncovered and they never have to return a salute to uniformed military personnel anyway as they are civilians. , Legendary BitCoin Talk member.
Police officers are civilians. They are not expected to render or receive military courtesies. Salutes are a military courtesy. A hand salute besides being an act of courtesy and show of respect for superior officers is a clear show that the person rendering the salute is unarmed.
Can Civilians Salute the Flag? Civilians should not salute the American Flag with a military salute. The military salute is considered a privilege earned by those who have served in the Armed Forces and is reserved for official protocols. Civilians should follow specific etiquette during the National Anthem.
Without courtesy and respect among members of an organization, there will be no discipline and when discipline disappears, the organization will loss its orderliness and disintegrates. ... The salute is the highest form of military courtesy.
Actually, no regulation specifies that the president should salute (or return the salute of) military personnel. ... "Civilian personnel, to include civilian guards, are not required to render the hand salute to military personnel or other civilian personnel.
Others state that it came from Polish soldiers in the Congress Kingdom army around 1815 (partitioned Poland). At that time, the Tsar's Viceroy in Poland, Grand Duke Constantine, said that Poles would salute him with two fingers and use the other two to hold a stone to throw at him.
The U.S. Army changed regulations on J, so that all soldiers were issued two tags: one to stay with the body and the other to go to the person in charge of the burial for record-keeping purposes.
Although not required by law or military regulation, members of the uniformed services are encouraged to render salutes to recipients of the Medal of Honor as a matter of respect and courtesy regardless of rank or status, whether or not they are in uniform.
In the U.S., people are asked to put their right hand over their heart during the Pledge of Allegiance as a sign of respect. That gesture, it turns out, can do more than just symbolize dignity and honor. According to new research, when we place our hands over our hearts we tend to be more honest with others.
Saluting People in Vehicles You should practice the appropriate courtesy of saluting officers in official vehicles, recognized individually by grade or by identifying vehicle plates and/or flags. You don't salute officers or return salutes from subordinates who are driving or riding in privately owned vehicles.
A provision of the 2009 Defense Authorization Act changed federal law to allow U.S. veterans and military personnel not in uniform to render the military hand-salute when the national anthem is played. Not in uniform would indicate civilian clothes and I interpret that to mean a hat is not required.
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.
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."