- The most popular origin story
of the modern military salute,
dates back to the Roman Republic.
In 509 BCE.
It's a very compelling theory,
but is it true?
And how did such an ancient tradition remain
so relevant to the modern military?
Let's break it down.
It is said that during antiquity,
sorry, the olden days, assassinations were common.
So citizens and subordinates were required
to approach officials with their fighting hand,
the right hand,
raised to demonstrate that it was not carrying a weapon.
Others say that the Romans would slap their chest
and raise their arm in tribute to demonstrate allegiance.
Another origin story is that men in armor would raise
the visors of their helmets
to greet their Lords or Commanders.
According to the Met Museum,
this gesture would have made a person both recognizable
as well as vulnerable.
These stories are commonly shared to illustrate the history
of the modern salute.
But there is actually very little evidence to support them.
Remember,
the Roman Republic began twenty five hundred years ago.
That's a very long time to trace a direct line for a custom.
Furthermore as the Met points out,
the majority of armor featured helmets with fitted visors.
And they all became rare after the eighteenth century.
Still, it wasn't until the sixteen hundreds
that English Military records mentioned the salute,
calling it a formal act that was to be by removal
of head dress.
In 1745 the procedure was amended
to simply have troops clap their hands
to their hats and bow as they passed by.
The British Army and later
the Royal Air Force would develop a salute
with the palm facing outwards,
but the Royal Navy began to turn their palms downwards.
Allegedly because the men working on ships had dirty palms
and it was considered disrespectful to display them.
One popular tale sights Queen Victoria
as the one behind the downward facing palm.
After she was saluted with a grimy hand.
When the United States declared its independence from
the throne we brought military customs across the Atlantic.
And by the time of the Revolutionary War,
the salute became the most expedient form of protocol.
The USO reported that according
to the Armed Forces History Museum,
today's standard salute was in place by 1820.
Though there are a few variations between branches,
overall, the United States Military
still maintains this salute today.
Right arm parallel with the floor,
straight wrist and hand,
middle finger touching the brim of the hat
or the corner of the eyebrow,
and palm facing downward or even inward.
The salute should be a smooth motion up
and down the gig line.
With the individual of lower rank raising their salute first
and lowering it last.
And remember any flourish in the salute is improper.
Of course cool guys have their fun.
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In addition to Superior Commission and Warrant Officers,
the following individuals are always entitled
to a military salute.
The President of the United States,
Officers of Allied Foreign Countries,
Good luck learning their rank system.
And Metal of Honor recipients.
I actually didn't know that one.
You can salute a veteran when they're in civilian attire,
it's just not mandatory or even customary.
It can actually be a little awkward
if they are not expecting it.
But in other countries,
there are legal ramifications behind certain salutes.
In Germany for example,
the straight arm hail Hitler salute is illegal.
And punishable by up to three years in jail.
It's not uncommon for tourists to be detained
for performing the salute for photos.
And one man was sentenced to jail
for teaching his dog Adolf
to give the Hitler grouse on command.
Yeah, don't let your dogs be Nazis.
Dog Nazis are just as bad as human Nazis.
Today the traditional salute is a gesture
of mutual respect given and reciprocated.
And whether the origin stories are true,
the salute nonetheless remains a symbol of honor.
And reassurance that you're not holding a weapon.
For more interesting military trivia,
check out our video about why the ace
of spades is known as the death card.
World War Two and Vietnam troops are often depicted
as having a playing card, usually the ace of spades,
strapped on to their helmets.
But why?
Click it.
Click the link. Click.
Also buy this shirt.
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