finally, a hand salute done correctly. the hand is raised vertically, in line with your body center line to the proper position. you are not a windmill so don't go waving your arm like one.
I had the best Salute all through Boot camp and AIT and till now. The key is just knowing not to show the bottom of your palm and your finger aligned with the corner of your brow
After salute, watch for the release of salute given and quick release your salute. If done fast enough your hand by your side first. Details are everything
Besides being military protocol, think of the salute also as a polite greeting. Suppose you're a lieutenant and your buddy has just been promoted to Captain. Now when he walks up and you're in uniform, greet him with a friendly, crisp salute and a smile. It's cool, and it honors both of you.
I'll give you an exception. GWB greeted injured in the cod officers in the hospital with a salute. Some of the veterans had injured arms, but President Bush maintained the salute until it was returned. Don't agree with him at all turns, but THAT was a class act.
@llchill No. Right arm moves outwards until parallel with the ground. Right forearm is then moved into saluting position without moving upper arm. Arm is then lowered back to attention in the same way as the Americans.
@robjr818 Isn't this how all branches solute. Fingers together, snap upward, snap downward, and back to attention. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's how I've always seen it done.
Generally, in the United States I believe that when saluting, your palm should be facing down or inwards slightly. The palm should not be facing outwards at all. In other countries I do know that they salute with the palm facing outwards. In fact, if you read on the history of the hand salute, you'll find that they salute with the palm facing inwards slightly to hide the dirty palms.
Your saluting the the commission(head of state) that's why enlisted member don't salute each other. But officers salute each other based on rank since they all hold commissions. And a captain will salute another captain if one of the member holds a higher parade position or duty. Makes sense?
Hello, Ignorant arse here; from where does the expression "longest way up, shortest way down" come from. I always thought it was to do with life expectancy in an evil word. Then I heard it was about the British salute. Is it only for their army then? (I shall be looking for replies answering this! :))
“Longest way up, shortest way down” is how the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Marines are taught to salute. As MrcaMoron suggests, the US Navy was (in part) formed by a Scotsman (John Paul Jones) and hence the US military salute showing the edge of the hand (as opposed to the palm) the same way the British Royal Navy does. The story is Naval officers wore white gloves and as there was lots of tar (and general muck) on board 18th century sailing ships they didn’t want to show their dirty palms to their superiors (in particular Royalty)? I’m not sure why the Royal Marines don’t salute edge on though, as they are part of the Navy and nothing to do with the army?
British army salute is when you bring your arm up long way up and having your hand flat above your right eyebrow and bringing your arm down the short way
This is ridiculous. Who would greet someone like this? Who would want to be greeted like this? It's so impractical. It's wasted energy. The rank itself should imply obedience and deference. If it doesn't, there's something wrong with the ranking system itself.
