After pledging to serve, Service members are inculcated with military customs and courtesies. One of
many customs a Service member must master is learning how, when and who to salute. The salute is a tradition of showing honor and respect.
Fort Jackson is a training site for all U.S. Armed Forces, civilians and armed forces members from other countries. With different ranks and traditions, there may be some variations when it comes to saluting.
As the senior enlisted advisor for Fort Jackson Military Entry Processing Station, Navy Senior Chief
Petty Officer Brian Garfield explained, "It's an advantage working with other branches, we get smarter on all services' customs and courtesies."
The Navy and Marine Corps customs and courtesies are pretty similar, mentions Garfield, while Air
Force Tech. Sgt. Thomas Gilly, Air Force liaison for the Fort Jackson MEPS, states a contrast between the Army and Air Force.
Fort Jackson policy states Service members and civilians are to safely stop, exit their vehicles and render proper honors during Reveille and Retreat.
"One of the biggest customs differences of the Army and Air Force is during the raising and lowering
of the U.S. Flag when you're in a vehicle," Gilly said. On Air Force bases, you do not dismount their vehicle, while Army Soldiers get out of the car and salute, he said.
Here are some hand saluting expectations and variations of the U.S. Armed Forces:
Showing respect to others
When in uniform, it's consistent throughout all branches for enlisted members to render the hand
salute to all officers and warrant officers of the U.S. Armed Forces, officers of friendly armed forces and authorized civilians of selected state and federal governmental positions. Officers should salute other officers and authorized civilians of higher rank.
Medal of Honor recipients are the exception to this custom, regardless of the MOH recipient's rank, officers and enlisted Service members render the hand salute first.
It is appropriate to salute officers in official vehicles (recognized individually by rank or identifying
vehicle plates and/or flags).
Army and Air Force members render the hand salute when reporting inside and outside to an officer or president of a board. If under arms and inside, Marines and Navy members will render a salute.
Respect to the American Flag During Reveille (music indicating the beginning of the day) and Retreat (music indicating the end of day), uniformed Army and Air Force Service members
should stand facing the American flag or the sound of reveille/retreat music and stand at parade rest, then stand at attention and salute upon the first notes of Reveille or "To the Colors." On some installations a cannon will fire at the first note of Reveille and after Retreat.
Uniformed Marine and Navy Service members should stand at attention and salute when "To the Colors," or National Anthem begins.
When passing an uncased National Flag outside, all uniformed military should salute.
It is not customary for Marines and Navy members to salute during "To the Colors," the National Anthem or an uncased National flag if they are in physical training uniform or are not wearing head gear.
The 2008 and 2009 Defense Authorization Acts allowed Service members and veterans not in uniform to render a salute during the National Anthem, the hoisting, lowering or the passing of the U.S. flag.
Salutes are not required When indoors, except when Army and Air Force members are reporting to an officer.
When senior or subordinate, or both are in civilian attire, a salute should not be rendered.
When engaged in routine work or sports function where stopping would present a safety hazard, the salute should not be rendered.
When carrying articles with both hands so occupied as to make saluting impracticable.
When military personnel are acting as drivers of a moving vehicle, they should not initiate a salute.
Salutes should not be rendered in public places such as theaters, churches, and in public conveyances.
If in the ranks of a formation, only the person in charge or upon command will the salute be rendered.
Salutes are not required to be rendered by or to personnel driving or riding in privately owned vehicles, except by gate guards who will render salutes to recognized officers.
To show good manners and respect when encountering other services, it's a good idea to become familiar with other services insignia with whom you serve with.
If you're ever in doubt of an individual's rank or insignia, salute, so as not to offend anyone or bring
disgrace upon your service.
When passing honors between ships when personnel are in ranks, what salute shouldbe rendered by what individual(s)? - The Division Officer and the Division Petty OfficeronlyA Commander in the Navy is designated what boat flagstaff insignia? - A starShips will be "full dressed" for which of the following holidays? - Independence DayWhen the Commanding Officer is absent, what substitute pennant should be flown? -3rdWhen passing honors between ships, after "Attention to Port" has sounded, the signalfor "Hand Salute" is represented by what total number of blasts of the ship's horn? -OneOf the following historic Navy battles, which one was fought entirely with aircraftlaunched from carriers with the two opposing Fleets never seeing each other? - Battle ofCoral SeaWhat class ship was developed to counter the threat posed by development of thesubmarine? - DestroyerWhat was the first military decoration awarded to individuals by the United States? - 1.When passing honors between ships when personnel are in ranks. The salute should be
In formation, except on command. On a work detail (the person in charge of the detail salutes). When engaged in athletics or assembled for recreation or entertainment. When carrying articles with both hands, or otherwise occupied making saluting imprac- ticable. In public places where saluting is obviously inappropriate (theaters, restaurants, elevators, etc.). In public transportation. In action or under simulated combat conditions. When a member of a guard is engaged in performance of a duty that prevents saluting. At mess (when addressed, stop eating and show respectful attention). When guarding prisoners. Honors Honors are salutes rendered to individuals of merit, such as recipients of the Medal of Honor, to high-ranking individuals, to ships, and to nations. The type of honors rendered depends upon who or what is being saluted. Passing honors are rendered by a ship to other ships and to boats having officials embarked. Side honors are rendered to officials or officers as they board and depart a Navy ship. Gun salutes are rendered to high-ranking individuals, to nations, and to celebrate national holidays. Honors are not rendered to nations or officials of nations not recognized by the United States. Officials and officers who request that the honors be dispensed with do not receive them. PASSING HONORS.—Passing honors are honors (other than gun salutes) rendered on occasions when ships, officials or officers pass in boats or gigs, or are passed (flag officers or above) close aboard. “Close aboard” means passing within 600 yards for ships and 400 yards for boats. Passing honors between ships, consisting of sounding “Attention” and rendering the hand salute by all persons in view on deck and not in ranks, are exchanged between ships of the Navy and between ships of the Navy and the Coast Guard passing close aboard. Signals for the actions required to be performed by personnel are as follows: One blast—Attention (to starboard) Two blasts—Attention (to port) One blast—Hand salute Two blasts—End salute Three blasts—Carry on NOTE Signals are given by police whistle on small ships and by bugle on large ships. On the signal of “Attention,” all hands in view on deck (starboard or port as indicated by number of blasts) come to attention and face outboard. At the sound of one blast, all hands in view and not in ranks salute. (When personnel are in ranks, only the division officer and the division petty officer salute; all other persons stand at attention.) At two blasts, persons saluting bring their hands back to their sides but remain at attention until three blasts are sounded. For boats passing honors, flag officers, unit commanders, or commanding officers in uniform embarked in boats are saluted by all persons on the quarterdeck. Passing honors for the President of the United States and for rulers of foreign nations include manning the rail. Manning the rail consists of the ship’s company lining up at regular intervals along all weather deck rails. Normal saluting procedures are followed. Having the crew at quarters when the ship is entering or leaving port is a less formal ceremony than manning the rail. The crew is paraded at quarters on ceremonial occasions, such as— 9-9 Student Notes: