Editing Salute (section)

===== British Army =====
[[File:Tri-Service Personnel Saluting MOD 45151321.jpg|thumb|(Left to right) 
{{bulleted list|Royal Air Force palm facing out, behind right eye|British Army with palm facing out. fingers almost touching cap.|Royal Navy with the palm facing down}}]]
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. Officers always saluted with the right hand (as the left, in theory, would always be required to hold the scabbard of their sword).<ref>''General Jack's Diary'' ed by John Terraine</ref> The salute is given to acknowledge the King's commission. A salute may not be given unless a soldier is wearing his regimental headdress, for example a [[beret]], [[caubeen]], [[Tam o' Shanter (cap)|Tam o' Shanter]], [[Glengarry]], field service cap or peaked cap. This does not apply to members of The Blues and Royals (RHG/1stD) The Household Cavalry who, after The [[Battle of Warburg]] were allowed to salute without headdress. Soldiers or officers not wearing headdress must come to attention instead of giving/returning the salute. The subordinate salutes first and maintains the salute until the superior has responded in kind.

There is a widespread though erroneous belief that it is statutory for "all ranks to salute a bearer of the [[Victoria Cross]]". There is no official requirement that appears in the official Warrant of the VC, nor in King's Regulations and Orders, but tradition dictates that this occurs and as such the Chiefs of Staff will salute a Private awarded either a VC or [[George Cross]].