B. The Hand Salute

The hand salute is the basis of military customs and courtesies and the fundamental rendering of respect.

Just as your uniform and bearing speaks volumes about your professionalism, so too does your salute.

A-1. WHEN TO SALUTE

Army personnel in uniform are required to salute when they meet and recognize persons entitled (by grade) to a salute except when it is inappropriate or impractical (in public conveyances such as planes and buses, in public places such as inside theaters, or when driving a vehicle).

a. A salute is also rendered—

• When the United States National Anthem, “To the Color,” “Hail to the Chief,” or

foreign national anthems are played.

• To uncased National Color outdoors.

• On ceremonial occasions as prescribed in Part Two, Ceremonies.

• At reveille and retreat ceremonies, during the raising or lowering of the flag.

• During the sounding of honors.

• When the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag is being recited outdoors.

• When turning over control of formations.

• When rendering reports.

• To officers of friendly foreign countries.

b. Salutes are not required when—

• Indoors, except when reporting to an officer or when on duty as a guard.

• Addressing a prisoner.

• Saluting is obviously inappropriate. In these cases, only greetings are exchanged.

(Example 1: A person carrying articles with both hands, or being otherwise so occupied as to make saluting impracticable, is not required to salute a senior person or return the salute to a subordinate.)

• Either the senior or the subordinate is wearing civilian clothes.

c. In any case not covered by specific instructions, the salute is rendered."

A-6. SALUTING COLORS

National and organizational flags, which are mounted on flagstaffs equipped with finials, are called Colors. Military personnel passing an uncased National Color salute at six steps distance and hold the Salute until they have passed six steps beyond it. Similarly, when the uncased Color passes by, they salute when it is six steps away and hold the Salute until it has passed six steps beyond them.

From AR 600–25 • 24 September 2004:

1–12. Pledge of Allegiance to the flag

Soldiers may recite the Pledge of Allegiance as noted below in accordance with Section 4, Title 4, United States Code (4 USC 4)—

a. During military ceremonies, soldiers will not recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

b. At official functions, social events, and sporting events, soldiers should—

(1) When in uniform, outdoors, stand at attention, remain silent, face the flag, and render the hand salute.

(2) When in uniform, indoors, stand at attention, remain silent, and face the flag.

(3) When in civilian attire, stand at attention, face the flag with the right hand over the heart and recite the Pledge of

Allegiance. Headgear should be removed with the right hand and held over the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.

from AFMAN36-2203

3.5. Hand Salute. This is used for training purposes only. The command is HAND, SALUTE, and it is performed in two counts. On the command SALUTE, the individual raises the right hand smartly in the most direct manner while at the same time extending and joining the fingers. Keep the palm flat and facing the body. Place the thumb along the forefingers, keeping the palm flat and forming a straight line between the fingertips and elbows (Figure 3.5.). Tilt the palm slightly toward the face. Hold the upper arm horizontal, slightly forward of the body and parallel to the ground. Ensure the tip of the middle finger touches the right front corner of the headdress. If wearing a non-billed hat, ensure the middle finger touches the outside corner of the right eyebrow or the front corner of glasses. The rest of the body will remain at the position of attention. This is count one of the movement. To complete count two of the movement, bring the arm smoothly and smartly downward, retracing the path used to raise the arm. Cup the hand as it passes the waist, and return to the position of attention.

3.7. Present Arms and Order Arms. The commands are Present, ARMS and Order ARMS. On the command PRESENT, ARMS, execute the first count of hand salute. Count two of hand salute is performed when given the command ORDER, ARMS.

b. When wearing headgear without a visor (or uncovered) and not wearing glasses, execute the Hand Salute in the same manner as previously described, except touch the tip of the right forefinger to the forehead near and slightly to the right of the right eyebrow (2, Figure 4-5).

c. When wearing headgear without a visor (or uncovered) and wearing glasses, execute the Hand Salute in the same manner as previously described, except touch the tip of the right forefinger to that point on the glasses where the temple piece of the frame meets the right edge of the right brow (3, Figure 4-5).

d. Order Arms from the Hand Salute is a one-count movement. The command is Order, ARMS. On the command of execution ARMS, return the hand sharply to the side, resuming the Position of Attention.

e. When reporting or rendering courtesy to an individual, turn the head and eyes toward the person addressed and simultaneously salute. In this situation, the actions are executed without command. The Salute is initiated by the subordinate at the appropriate time (six paces) and terminated upon acknowledgment. (See Appendix A for more information on saluting.)