Military Courtesies and Customs

Rules 4-5 of how to salute

Allow time for the person being saluted to see and return the salute; if both of you are walking a distance of about six steps is right. Hold the salute until the officer has returned or acknowledged it, then bring your hand smartly to your side.

Who do you salute rules 8-10

If you are at a crowded gathering or in a congested area, you normally salute only when addressing or being addressed by senior officers. Because you're in uniform, you children or military retirees may salute you. Return the salute. When in doubt, salute. If you salute someone who does not rate a salute, you may cause yourself some slight embarrassment by appearing less informed than you should be. But if you fail to salute someone who does rate one, you appear to be unmilitary, discourteous and a shirker. No one ever got into trouble for saluting when it was not expected.

Rules 6-8

If you're on a double, slow to a walk when saluting. If you are carrying something in both hands and cannot render the hand salute, look at the officer as though you were saluting and render a verbal greeting as described below. If using a cell phone, pause, drop the phone to your side, stand at attention and render the salute.

When not to salute rules 1-3

In formation. The person in charge will salute for you or, in some cases, will give the order for you and others in the formation to salute. You are relieved of any responsibility to salute on your own when in formation. When engaged in work and saluting would interfere with what you are doing. If you are part of a work detail, the person in charge of the detail will salute for the entire group. In public places where saluting is obviously inappropriate (such as on a bus or while standing in line at a theater.) A verbal greeting is appropriate.

Rules 1-3 of how to salute

Salute from a position of attention if you are standing still. If you're walking, salute from an erect position. Face the person saluted, or if you're walking turn you head and eyes toward the person. If possible, look directly into the eyes of those you salute

Which hand do you salute with

The salutes are customarily given with the right hand, but there are exceptions.

When not to salute rules 4-5

When eating. If you are addressed by a senior officer, you should stop eating and sit at attention until the officer has departed. Courtesy dictates that the senior officer will keep the interruption brief. In combat or simulated combat conditions.

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Who do you salute rules 4-7

Salute senior officers even if they are uncovered or their hands are occupied. Your salute will be acknowledged by a verbal greeting. If you are walking with or standing by a senior officer, do so on his/her left side. If the occasion for a salute arises, salute when the officer salutes, not before. This is the case whether he/she is saluting a junior or a senior officer. If you are standing in a group and a senior officer approaches, the first to see the senior should call attention and all face the officer and salute. .

Who do you salute rules 1-3

Salute senior officers of all U.S. services and all allied foreign services. Officers in the U.S. Merchant marine and Public Health service wear uniforms that closely resemble Navy uniforms, and they too rate a salute. At USNA, all foreign military staff and faculty are officers. Salute senior officers who are close enough to be recognized whether they are wearing a uniform or civilian clothes. Salute the person standing an Officer of the Deck watch no matter what their rank or rate. The same applies to anyone taking a division/detail muster.

Who can salute when uncovered and who cant?

Soldiers and Airman may salute uncovered. Sailors and Marines must be covered if they are going to salute.