Chapter 16
Salute Battery
Ceremonies did not originally use field artillery as a salute battery. In the 19th century, branches of service were lined up from right to left: Infantry, field artillery, and Cavalry, respectively. Field artillery lined up their guns but did not fire them. When honors began to be fired in ceremonies, the guns were moved out of the formation to avoid injury to other elements of the formation.
Section 1
Preparation
16-1. The salute battery should arrive at the ceremonial site early enough to position its pieces before the arrival of units on the ready line:
The pieces are positioned downwind from the ceremony site with the muzzles pointing away from the reviewing stand. When possible, the opened trails are two steps to the rear of the final line and the number six piece is positioned twelve steps from the left flank unit. Other pieces are positioned about four steps apart (measure from inside wheels) and on line with number six.
Once the pieces are in position, the battery is formed to the left of the number one piece and in front of the line so that the number six and three sections are on the final line (see figure 16-1).
Section 2
Sequence of Events and Individual Actions
16-2. The sequence of events and individual actions necessary to conduct a salute battery are described herein. The COT should verify that the salute battery and band are prepared to render honors.
