Possible origins of the hand salute point to knights that would raise their helmet visor as a courtesy when approaching superiors. Another possible origin was the practice of raising the right hand with no weapon as a greeting of friendship.
Today, it is used as a courteous exchange of greetings when outdoors or to report to an officer indoors. The salute is exchanged upon recognition between officers and enlisted members and between junior and senior officers of the Armed Forces when they are in uniform.
The junior member always salutes first and should initiate the salute in time to allow the senior officer to return it before they pass you. Establishing an exact distance to initiate a salute is not practical, you must let common sense and experience be your guide.
Saluting Requirements
- Required in areas such as covered sidewalks, entryways, reviewing stands and bus stops
- Rules apply both on and off military installations
- If possible, try to keep things in your left hand so you can salute
- If an officer is carrying articles in both hands, the officer does not have to return the salute, but should nod or render a verbal greeting. The junior member comes to the position of attention, salutes, extends a verbal greeting and drops the salute as the officer passes them
- If the junior member is carrying articles in both hands, the individual should exchange a verbal greeting only (do not have to salute)
Proper Saluting Procedures
- Must be standing or marching at the position of attention
- Do not have to stop to salute if walking past an officer, unless they initiate a conversation with you
- Turn your head and eyes towards the officer
- Salute and extend a verbal greeting (e.g., “Good morning, Sir,”“Good afternoon, Ma’am”)
- Ensure you begin the salute in time for the officer to return the salute before passing you
- If you were walking before saluting, resume your natural walk after the officer passes you
Saluting Tips
- Keep in mind that saluting considerations are dictated by the situation.
- Only salute an officer when approaching from the opposite direction; do not salute when walking in the same direction and approaching the officer.
- If you are part of a formal group (e.g. in formation), the person in charge will call the group to the position of attention (if you are not already at the position of attention) and salute for all members of the group.
- If you are outdoors in an informal group and no one is in charge, the first person to see the officer approach calls the group to the position of attention, and all members of the group salute (image below).
- If you are part of a detail, the person in charge comes to the position of attention and salutes for all members while they continue to work (image below).
- If you are working as part of a detail and an officer addresses you personally, come to the position of attention and salute at both the beginning and end of the conversation.
- Salute and exchange a verbal greeting for all commissioned officers of the US Armed Forces and officers of friendly foreign nations using the same procedures and standards.
- Saluting indoors is only required when formally reporting to an officer or during some ceremonies (e.g., when receiving a quarterly award at a ceremony or when receiving a decoration at Commander’s Call).
- Salutes are not required at public gatherings such as sporting events, meetings or when a salute would be inappropriate or impractical.
- Local commanders may designate specific areas as a “no salute” area. This is common in deployed environments to help prevent the adversary from identifying officers. Ensure you are aware of the local policy for your duty location. While in BMT the BEAST site is a “no salute” area.