The British Army developed a salute with the palm facing outwards, also used by the Royal Air Force. The salute works both as a mark of recognition for the Queen’s commission awarded to officers and for seniority of rank, says Simon Lamb, of the British Veterans Recognition Card group.
Q. Why do the Royal Navy salute differently?
Saluting. Part of everyday Naval life, a salute is always made with the palm facing in. Why? Because sailors’ hands were generally covered in tar from sails and rigging, and it was deemed unsightly to show an officer or member of the Royal Family a dirty palm.
Q. Why is it disrespectful to salute with your left hand?
Saluting with the left or right hand has nothing to do with being disrespectful. The salute, in and of itself, no matter which hand is used, is respectful. The US military uses the right hand for a reason and that reason is utilitarian, not an issue of respect.
Q. How do you RAF salute?
When RAF and Army personnel do a hand salute, they display an open hand. They position their right hand so their fingertips almost touch the band of their hat. The RAF and the Army do not wear white gloves as part of their uniform, so they will salute with their palm facing forward.
Q. What hand do you salute with UK?
right hand
Since 1917, the British Army’s salute has been given with the right hand palm facing forwards with the fingers almost touching the cap or beret. Before 1917, for Other Ranks (i.e. not officers) the salute was given with whichever hand was furthest from the person being saluted, whether that was the right or the left.
Q. Can you salute without a hat UK?
A salute may not be given unless a soldier is wearing his regimental headdress, for example a beret, caubeen, Tam o’ Shanter, Glengarry, field service cap or peaked cap. If a soldier or officer is not wearing headdress then he or she must come to attention instead of giving/returning the salute.
Q. How do British soldiers salute?
Since 1917, the British Army’s salute has been given with the right hand palm facing forwards with the fingers almost touching the cap or beret. Before 1917, for Other Ranks (i.e. not officers) the salute was given with whichever hand was furthest from the person being saluted, whether that was the right or the left.
Q. Why did the British Army salute open handed?
The open handed salute of the British Army was intended to demonstrate that the hands were clean which meant, in turn, that the soldier paid attention to detail and took care of himself (there were no females in the Army in those days) and his weapons and equipment.
Q. What’s the difference between the open hand and the naval salute?
The Naval salute differs from the “Open Hand”. British Army Salute in that the palm of the hand faces down towards the shoulder. This dates back to the days of sailing ships when tar and pitch were used to seal the timber from seawater.
Q. What’s the proper way to salute in the UK?
To salute the UK Royal Air Force or Army, you’ll want to raise your right hand to your right temple with your palm facing forward and your fingers together. This is used to greet your superiors and show your respect. To salute superiors in the Navy, raise your right hand to your right temple, but keep your palm facing down.
Q. Where does the hand go in a Russian military salute?
Military salutes. In the Russian military, the right hand, palm down, is brought to the right temple, almost, but not quite, touching; the head has to be covered. In the Hellenic Army salute the palm is facing down and the fingers point to the coat of arms.
