The Hand Salute

Whom to Salute

Salute the president of the United States, all commissioned and warrant officers of the United States Armed Forces, and officers of friendly foreign nations. Usually, you should also salute the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Air Force.

Officer Recognition

Even though you may not be able to distinguish the specific rank, you can recognize an officer by the hat insignias.

In addition, marked government vehicles and staff cars also indicate that an officer is on board.

When to Salute

Members of the Armed Forces exchange salutes in many situations when in uniform. the person who is saluted always returns the salute, unless he or she is unable to do so because of physical incapacity or when the right hand cannot be freed, as in carrying packages. A superior whose hands are full with packages, etc.., need not return the salute. However, the junior member must salute and the senior member should nod in return or verbally acknowledge the salute. An exchange of verbal greetings is also appropriate if the junior member is carrying articles in both hands.

Tradition has it that if you are of junior rank, you salute first. the only exception to this occurs when a unit commander gives an official report to an adjutant who might be junior. Military officers are to be saluted while in civilian clothes, if recognized by junior military member. Always return salutes by those of lower rank.

The basic rule is that, upon recognition, the military hand salute is renders to all officers outdoors with some exceptions. The military hand salute is not rendered indoors, except when performing a formal report to an officer or when receiving a formal award from an officer.

Salutes are also exchanged at the conclusion of a conversation. Distance and uniforms should not be criteria for saluting. When outdoors, salute your seniors whether they are in uniform or civilian clothing. Salute them regardless of location. There often seems to be some misunderstanding about exactly when to salute. The following information should answer some common questions about when to salute.

• Outdoors

Outdoors salutes are exchanged upon recognition between officers and warrant officers, and between cadets or enlisted members of the Armed Forces. The term outdoors means being outside a building, including areas such as open porches, covered sidewalks, bus stops, covered or open entryways, and reviewing stands. Salutes will be exchanged outdoors any time officers and warrant officers and cadets or enlisted members of the Armed Forces cross paths. The salute will be exchanged with a person on the the sidewalk or with a person approaching or in the same structure.

• Exceptions

Here are some special circumstances when salutes may not be exchanged.

Standing in a group: If you are part of a small group that is not in formation, the first person to see the officer calls the group to attention, and everyone should face the officer and salute. If an officer addresses the group or an individual in the group, everyone should remain at attention until the end of the conversation, unless otherwise ordered. At the end of the conversation, everyone should salute the officer.

In Formation: If you are in formation and an officer approaches, the person in charge of the group calls the members to attention and salutes for the group.

Work Details: If you are in charge of a work detail, salute for the entire group when you meet an officer.