Editing Salute (section)

===By country===
{{more citations needed section|date=June 2020}}

==== Australia and New Zealand ====
In the [[Commonwealth of Nations]], only [[commissioned officer|commissioned]] [[Officer (armed forces)|officers]] are saluted, and the salute is to the [[commission (document)|commission]] they carry from their respective commanders-in-chief representing [[Head of the Commonwealth|the monarch]], not the officers themselves.

In both countries, the right-hand salute is generally identical to, and drawn from the traditions of, the British armed forces. The salute of the Australian or [[New Zealand Army]] is best described as the right arm taking the path of the longest way up and then the shortest way down. Similar in many ways, the salute of the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] and [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] takes the longest way up and the shortest way down. The Royal Australian Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy, however, take the shortest way up, palm down, and the shortest way down. The action of the arm rotating up is slower than the action of the conclusion of the salute which is the arm being quickly "snapped" down to the saluter's side. Junior members are required to salute first and the senior member is obliged to return the compliment. Protocol dictates that the monarch, members of the royal family, the governor-general, and state governors are to be saluted at all times by all ranks. Except where a drill manual (or parade) protocol dictates otherwise, the duration of the salute is timed at three beats of the quick-time march (approximately 1.5 seconds), timed from the moment the senior member first returns it. In situations where cover (or "headdress", as it is called in the Australian Army) is not being worn, the salute is given verbally; the junior party (or at least the senior member thereof) will first come to attention, then offer the salute "Good morning/afternoon Your Majesty/Your Royal Highness/Prime Minister/Your Grace/Sir/Ma'am", etc., as the case may be. It is this, rather than the act of standing to attention, which indicates that a salute is being offered. If either party consists of two or more members, all will come to attention, but only the most senior member of the party will offer (or return) the physical or verbal salute. The party wearing headdress must always offer, or respond with, a full salute. But within the Forward Edge of the Battle Area (FEBA) no salutes of any kind are given, under any circumstances; it is always sensible to assume that there are snipers in the area who may see or overhear. In this case, parties personally known to each other are addressed familiarly by their first or given names, regardless of rank; senior officers are addressed as one might address a stranger, courteously, but without any naming or mark of respect.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Origins of Saluting|url=http://www.army.gov.au/Saluting.asp|publisher=Department of Defence|access-date=9 June 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20091012163005/http://www.army.gov.au/Saluting.asp|archive-date=12 October 2009}}</ref>

====Canada====

Much as the British salute described above (except the palm is level with the ground, without the U.S.A. slight over-rotation of the wrist), the [[Canadian military]] salutes to demonstrate a mark of respect and courtesy for the commissioned ranks. When in uniform and not wearing headdress one does not salute. Instead, compliments shall be paid by standing at attention. If on the march, arms shall be swung and the head turned to the left or right as required.<ref>{{cite book|title=CF Manual of Drill and Ceremonial|publisher=Directorate of History and Heritage|pages=1–2–3|chapter=1 section 2}}</ref>

On [[Remembrance Day]], 2009, [[Charles III of the United Kingdom|The Prince of Wales]] attended the national ceremony in [[Ottawa]] with [[Governor General of Canada|Governor General]] [[Michaëlle Jean]]—both wearing Canadian military dress. [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]] live television coverage of the event noted that, when Prince Charles saluted, he performed the Canadian form of the salute with a cupped hand (the British "naval salute"—appropriate, as he did his military service as an officer in the Royal Navy), adopted by all elements of the [[Canadian Forces]] after unification in 1968, rather than the British (Army) form with the palm facing forward.

====Denmark====
[[File:Danish Army Salute.png|thumb|upright|Danish Army Salute]]
In the [[Danish Defence|Danish military]], there are two types of military salutes. The first type is employed by the [[Royal Danish Navy]] and [[Guard Hussar Regiment Mounted Squadron]], and is the same as the one used by the U.S.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Niess|first1=Amanda|editor1-last=Lind|editor1-first=Vickie|title=SBU (Søvernets basisuddannelse)|journal=Soldaten|date=April 2015|issue=3|page=22|url=https://issuu.com/soldaten/docs/191318_soldaten_03-15_web|access-date=14 November 2017|publisher=Forsvarets Kommunikationssektion|location=Copenhagen|language=da}}</ref> The second is employed by the [[Royal Danish Army]] and [[Royal Danish Air Force]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bjerg |first=Hans Christian |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/929795616 |title=Hilseformer & høflighed |date=2015 |publisher=Modersmål-Selskabet |others=Modersmål-Selskabet |isbn=978-87-994137-3-7 |location=[Kbh.] |pages=62–63 |language=Danish |oclc=929795616}}</ref> and goes as follows: Raise the right arm forward, as to have upper arm 90 degrees from the body. Move the right hand to the temple, and have it parallel to the ground.<ref>{{cite web|title=How to Salute Like a Soldier|url=http://wko.olipot.com/sadan-honnor-som-en-soldat|website=wko.olipot.com|access-date=14 November 2017|language=da|archive-date=14 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114202437/http://wko.olipot.com/sadan-honnor-som-en-soldat|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Hand salutes are not performed if a member is not wearing a headdress or if he is holding a weapon.

====France====
[[File:Pierre de Villiers (détail).jpg|thumb|A French military salute by the French general [[Pierre de Villiers]]]]

Subordinates salute superiors and every salute is given back. Hand salutes are not performed if a member is not wearing a headdress or if he is holding a weapon.

The French salute is performed with a flat hand, palm facing forwards; the upper arm is horizontal and the tips of the fingers come near the corner of the eyes. The hand, unlike the British salute, remains at a 45-degree angle in line with the lower arm. The five fingers are lined together. It mirrors the gesture made by [[knight]]s greeting each other, raising their [[visor]]s to show their faces.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} A crisp tension may be given when the salute is taken or broken.

Some "creative" salutes are in use in certain mounted (cavalry) units. The fingers can be spread out with only the right thumb brushing the temple, or the hand can be cocked vertically along the cheek, with the little finger detached or not. These unusual regimental salutes are mannerisms which are lost during official ceremonies. A civilian (even if he has a hat) never salutes, but a nod to a patrolling soldier is generally appreciated.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}

====Germany====
In the German [[Bundeswehr]], the salute is performed with a flat hand, with the thumb resting on the index finger. The hand is slightly tilted to the front so that the thumb can not be seen. The upper arm is horizontal and the fingers point to the temple but do not touch it or the headgear. Every soldier saluting another uniformed soldier is entitled to be saluted in return. Soldiers below the rank of [[Feldwebel]] are not permitted to speak while saluting. Since the creation of the Bundeswehr, soldiers are required to salute with and without headgear. Originally, in the [[Reichswehr]] it was not permitted to perform the salute when the soldier is not wearing uniform [[headgear]]. In the [[Wehrmacht]], the traditional military salute was required when wearing headgear, but the [[Nazi salute]] was performed when not wearing headgear. The Wehrmacht eventually fully adopted the [[Nazi salute]] following the [[20 July Plot]]. East German [[National People's Army]] followed the Reichswehr protocol.

==== India====
[[File:Service Chiefs pay homage at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate - Navy Day 2017 (4).jpg|thumb|right|The Chiefs of the [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Indian Army]], [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Indian Navy]] and the [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Indian Air Force]] saluting at the [[Amar Jawan Jyoti]]. The three different salutes are shown.]]
In [[India]], the three forces have different salutes with the [[Indian Army]] and the [[Indian Navy]] following the British tradition. In the Indian army, the salute is performed by keeping the open palm forward, with fingers and thumb together and middle finger almost touching the hatband or right eyebrow. This is often accompanied by the salutation "Jai Hind" which means long live India or Victory to India, or the regimental salutation, e.g. "Sat Sri Akal" in the [[Sikh Regiment]]. The Navy salute has the palm facing towards the ground at a 90-degree angle. The [[Indian Air Force]] salute involves the right arm being sharply raised from the front by the shortest possible way, with the plane of the palm at 45-degree angle to the forehead.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/article607468.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816233054/http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/article607468.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 August 2016|title=Different forces, different salutes|access-date=21 July 2016}}</ref>

====Indonesia====
{{See also|Present arms (command) #Indonesia}}
[[File:Jokowi lantik Siwi.jpg|thumb|The [[Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy]] Admiral [[Siwi Sukma Adji]] salutes the [[President of Indonesia]] [[Joko Widodo]].]]
In [[Indonesia]], executing a salute has its regulations. Members who are part of a uniformed institution and wearing a uniform will implement a gesture of salute according to the regulations of the institution the member is part of.<ref>Republic of Indonesia Government Regulation Number 44 of 1958</ref> In this case, personnel of the [[Indonesian National Armed Forces|TNI]] and [[Indonesian National Police]] are to implement a hand salute by forming the right hand up making an angle of 90 degrees and is bent 45 degrees, fingers are pressed together and placed near the [[Temple (anatomy)|temple]] of the right eye, palm facing down.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCuuQeuD75s| title = Salute Demonstration without headdress| website = [[YouTube]]}}</ref> Personnel wearing a headdress place the tip of the right index finger touching the front right tip of the headdress.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3NIbLbaPZA| title = Salute demonstration with headdress| website = [[YouTube]]| date = 22 February 2016}}</ref> Other uniformed organizations/institutions which are not part of the [[Indonesian National Armed Forces|military]]/[[Indonesian National Police|police]] will implement a hand salute as done by members of the military/police.

The command for this gesture in [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]] is ''Hormat, Gerak!''. Military and police personnel armed with a rifle during a ceremony will implement a [[Present arms (command)#Indonesia|present arms]] while personnel unarmed will execute the hand salute.

This is done during the raising and/or lowering of the [[Flag of Indonesia|national flag]], rendition or singing of the [[National anthem of Indonesia|national anthem]], and when saluting a person or object worth saluting.

====Israel====
[[File:IDF Ceremony for the Newly Appointed Commander in Chief of Israeli Navy - Flickr - Israel Defense Forces (1).jpg|thumb|Israeli style salute at IDF ceremony for the newly appointed Commander in Chief of Israeli Navy, Brig. General Ram Rotenberg]]
In the [[Israel Defense Forces]], saluting is normally reserved for special ceremonies.

====Italy====
The hand salute is still performed according to the [[Italian Army|army]] "Infantry Training – Formal Instructions" regulation, chapter II, section 12 (1939) ''"The salute is completed sharply ... bringing the right hand vigorously to the visor of the headdress, with the tip of the fingers over the right eye; the hand in line with the forearm, with the palm facing downwards, the fingers joined and stretched, the index finger in contact with the edge of the visor; horizontal arm, forearm naturally inclined"''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Regio Esercito – Addestramento della fanteria|url=http://www.regioesercito.it/regioesercito/redoc/manumil8.htm|access-date=15 July 2020|website=www.regioesercito.it}}</ref> The [[Italian Air Force|air force]] and [[Italian Navy|navy]] use the same procedure, with the single exception of the navy boatswains that salute left-handed while giving the traditional "pipe aboard", as their right hand is used to hold the [[boatswain's call]].

When given individually, the salute is given by inferior to superior ranks and is held until returned, and by word of command when given by a formed unit. For personnel not wearing hats, holding weapons or with otherwise encumbered hands, the salute is given by coming to attention. During marching armed parades only the officer in command salutes for the whole unit, briefly bringing the flat of his sword to his face if in full dress, or giving the standard hand salute if in combat uniform. During flag-rising and flag-lowering armed parades all officers and senior NCOs hand salute the flag, while other ranks present arms, and the whole unit sings the [[national anthem]]. Flag parties give salute by slightly inclining the flag only, with the flag-bearer and the escort not giving individual salutes.{{Citation needed|date=March 2020}}

====Japan====

In Japan, the angle of salute depends on the branch. In the [[Japan Ground Self-Defense Force|Ground]] and the [[Japan Air Self-Defense Force|Air]] Self-Defense Forces, the salute is 90 degrees under the armpit like the U.S. Armed Forces. In the [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force|Maritime]] Self-Defense Forces, the salute is a 45-degree angle because of the narrowness of a ship's interior spaces. To prevent a member's elbow from hitting other members, subordinates may be given approval to not salute in a corridor inside the ship. Furthermore, in all the branches, if a member is not wearing their cap, then they should salute by bowing 10 degrees.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

==== Pakistan====
In [[Pakistan]], the salute is generally identical to that of British armed forces. In the [[Pakistan Army|Army]] and [[Pakistan Air Force|Air Force]], the salute is given with the right hand palm facing forward and fingers slightly touching the right side of the forehead, but not on the forehead. The [[Pakistan Navy|Navy]] continues to salute palm down.<ref>{{Cite web|date=8 October 2020|title=Admiral Amjad Niazi assumes command of Pak Navy|url=https://nation.com.pk/08-Oct-2020/admiral-amjad-niazi-assumes-command-of-pak-navy|access-date=5 May 2021|website=The Nation|language=en|archive-date=30 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230135700/https://nation.com.pk/08-Oct-2020/admiral-amjad-niazi-assumes-command-of-pak-navy|url-status=dead}}</ref> The salute must be performed by the lower rank officials to the higher rank officials under all conditions except when the higher rank official is not in uniform or if the lower rank official is the driver and the vehicle is in motion.<ref>With salute a standard salutation greeting assalamoe `alaykum (ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ) to which it is possible to answer: wa`alaykum assalam. As-salāmu ʿalaykum is a greeting in Arabic that means "peace be upon you". The Army Regulations: Instructions corrected up to 30 November 1959</ref> The salute is never performed by the left hand even if the right hand is occupied.

====People's Republic of China====
Military personnel of the [[People's Liberation Army]] salute palm-down, similar to the [[Royal Navy]] or US Military salutes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mysalute.ssafa.org.uk/world-of-salutes|title=World of Salutes|website=The Armed Forces Charity|access-date=10 January 2019|archive-date=10 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110184209/http://mysalute.ssafa.org.uk/world-of-salutes|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Poland====
[[File:Wyjście ORP „BIELIK” na Morze Śródziemne.jpg|thumb|Polish-style salute, using two fingers]]
Polish military personnel use [[Two-finger salute#Two-finger salute in Poland|two fingers to salute]], with the middle and index fingers extended and touching each other, while the ring and little fingers are bent and touched by the thumb. The salute is only used while wearing a headdress with the emblem of the Polish eagle (such as military hat [[rogatywka]]) or without this emblem (such as [[Boonie hat]] or helmet).

====Sweden====
Salutes are similar to those of the [[Royal Navy]]. The official instruction for stationary salute states: "The right hand is quickly raised straight up to the headgear. The fingers straight but not stiff next to each other, the little finger edge facing forward. One or two finger tips lightly resting against the right part of the headgear (visor), so that the hand does not obstruct the eye. The wrist straight, the elbow angled forward and slightly lower than the shoulder." Salutes to persons are normally not made when further away than 30 m. Hand salutes are performed only when carrying headgear, if bare headed (normally only indoors) a swift turning of the head towards the person that is being saluted is made instead. The same applies if the right hand is carrying any item that cannot easily be transferred to the left hand. During inspections and when on guard duty, the salute is made by coming to attention. Drivers of moving vehicles never salute. In formations, only the commander salutes.<ref>''Svensk soldat'' soldier manual</ref>

====Switzerland====
Swiss soldiers are required to salute any higher-ranking military personnel whenever they encounter them. When the soldier announces to a higher-ranking person he has to state the superior's rank, his rank and his name. When a military formation encounters a superior, it has to state the name of the formation. The salute is given with the palm pointing towards the shoulder, the tips of the fingers pointing towards the temple.

====Turkey====
[[File:Two Turkish soldiers salute (4699895014).jpg|thumb|Turkish soldiers salute while the band plays the national anthem.]]

Within the [[Turkish military]] hand salutes are only given when a cover (protection for the head, usually a hat) is worn.

If the head is not covered or when the personnel is carrying a rifle on the shoulder the ''head salute'' is performed by nodding the head forward slightly while maintaining erect posture.

The salute (hand or head) must be performed first by the lower ranking personnel to the higher ranking personnel, and higher official is expected to return the salute, under all conditions except:
* Personnel who are driving vehicles.
* Personnel who are on sentry, patrol, observation duty or defending a specific point.
* Personnel on combat orders.
* Personnel who are transporting live ammunition.
* Military prisoners and personnel escorting them.

The casket of a soldier killed in the line of duty (irrespective of rank) has to be saluted by all ranks of personnel.<ref>[http://mevzuat.basbakanlik.gov.tr/Metin.Aspx?MevzuatKod=7.5.5905&sourceXmlSearch=&MevzuatIliski=0 TSK İç Hizmet Yönetmeliği]{{in lang|tr}}</ref>

====United Kingdom====

===== 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]].

===== Royal Air Force =====
The custom of saluting commissioned officers relates wholly to the commission given by the King to that officer, not the person.<ref name="Frequently Asked Questions">{{cite web |title=Royal Air Force website: ''Frequently Asked Questions – Who do you salute'' |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/links/faqs.cfm |access-date=13 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100502065436/http://www.raf.mod.uk/links/faqs.cfm |archive-date=2 May 2010 }}</ref> Therefore, when a subordinate airman salutes an officer, he is indirectly acknowledging the King as Head of State. A salute returned by the officer is on behalf of the King.

The RAF salute is similar to the British Army, the hand is brought upwards in a circular motion out from the body, it is stopped 1 inch (25&nbsp;mm) to the rear and to the right of the right eye, the elbow and wrist are kept in line with the shoulder. The hand is then brought straight down back to the position of attention, this movement is completed to the timing "UP TWO-THREE CUT".<ref>Air Officer Administration Headquarters Personnel and Training Command. Royal Air Force Publication AP818 (RAF Drill and Ceremonial) 7th edition. Royal Air force, No date, p. 73, [https://learning.bader.mod.uk/Global/AP818%20Drill%20and%20Ceremonial/20061003%20-%20AP%20818%20-%20u.pdf available here]</ref>

===== Royal Navy =====
The Naval salute differs 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 a ship's timbers from seawater. To protect their hands, officers wore white gloves and it was considered most undignified to present a dirty palm in the salute, so the hand was turned through 90 degrees.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} A common story is that Queen Victoria, having been saluted by an individual with a dirty palm, decreed that in future sailors of the fleet would salute palm down, with the palm facing the ground.<ref name="n526" />

====== Royal Marines ======
Though part of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines salute in the style of the British Army, with the right hand palm facing forward.<ref>{{cite web|author=Royal Navy |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2017/august/02/170802-duke-of-edinburgh-receives-royals-salute |title=Duke of Edinburgh receives Royal's salute at last public engagement |publisher=Royal Navy |date=2 August 2017 |access-date=12 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Sgt. Bobby Yarbrough |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/image/1042165/saluting-colors |title=Saluting the colors [Image 9 of 10] |publisher=Dvids |date=23 October 2013 |access-date=12 November 2018}}</ref>

===== British Empire =====
In the British Empire (originally in the maritime and hinterland sphere of influence of the [[East India Company]], HEIC, later transformed into crown territories), mainly in [[British India]], the numbers of guns fired as a ''gun salute'' to the ruler of a so-called [[princely state]] became a politically [[salute state|highly significant indicator of his status]], not governed by objective rules, but awarded (and in various cases increased) by the British paramount power, roughly reflecting his state's socio-economic, political and/or military weight, but also as a prestigious reward for loyalty to the Raj, in classes (always odd numbers) from three to twenty-one (seven lacking), for the "vassal" indigenous rulers (normally hereditary with a throne, sometimes raised as a personal distinction for an individual ruling prince). Two sovereign monarchies officially outside the Empire were granted a higher honour: thirty-one guns for the royal houses of Afghanistan (under British and Russian influence), and [[Siam]] (which was then ruled by the [[Rattanakosin Kingdom]]).

In addition, the right to style himself ''Highness'' ([[Majesty]], which since its Roman origin expresses the sovereign authority of the state, was denied to all "vassals"), a title of great importance in international relations, was formally restricted to rulers of relatively high salute ranks (originally only those with eleven guns or more, later also those with nine guns).

====United States====
=====U.S. Armed Forces=====
[[File:A drum major of the III Marine Expeditionary Forces Band, US Marine Corp.jpg|thumb|right|A United States Marine delivers a salute.]]
Within the [[United States military]], the salute is a courteous exchange of greetings. With the HDB individual salute, the head and eyes are turned toward the [[Colours, standards and guidons|colors]] or person saluted. Military personnel in uniform are required to salute when they meet and recognize persons entitled to a salute, except when it is inappropriate or impractical (in public conveyances such as planes and buses, in public places such as inside theaters, or when driving a vehicle).<ref name="thebalance.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.liveabout.com/u-s-military-salute-3331994|title=Origins and Use of the U.S. Military Hand Salute|website=LiveAbout}}</ref>

Persons entitled to the salute include [[commissioned officer]]s, [[warrant officer]]s, the [[President of the United States]], officers of friendly foreign nations, and recipients of the [[Medal of Honor]] (including [[Enlisted rank|enlisted personnel]]).<ref>{{cite book |last=Dalessandro |first=Robert J. |date=2007 |title=Army Officer's Guide |location=Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania |publisher=Stockpole Books |edition=51 |page=22 |isbn=978-0-8117-3528-5}}</ref><ref name="airu">{{cite book |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=1985 |title=NCO Preparatory Course, Vol. 1: Leadership |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hdrjBkSihRoC&pg=PA100 |location=[[Maxwell Air Force Base]], Montgomery, Alabama |publisher=[[Air University Press]] |pages=100–101 |isbn=<!--None-->}}</ref> Additionally, the [[flag of the United States]] is saluted during parades and other ceremonial functions.<ref name="airu" />

The U.S. military's salute, while influenced by that of the British military, differs slightly in that the palm of the hand faces down towards the shoulder. This difference may date back to the days of sailing ships, when tar and pitch were used to seal the timber from seawater. During such times, it was considered undignified to present a dirty palm in the salute, so the hand was turned through 90 degrees.<ref name="thebalance.com"/>

Specifically, a proper salute goes as follows: Raise the right hand sharply, fingers and thumb extended and joined, palm facing down, and place the tip of the right forefinger on the rim of the visor, slightly to the right of the eye. The outer edge of the hand is barely [[wikt:canted|canted]] downward so that neither the back of the hand nor the palm is clearly visible from the front. The hand and wrist are straight, the elbow inclined slightly forward, and the upper arm is horizontal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/army_board_study_guide_topics/customs_and_courtesies/hand-salute-how-to.shtml|title=Hand Salute{{snd}}How To |website=ArmyStudyGuide.com}}</ref>

Members of the [[United States Army]], [[United States Air Force]], and [[United States Space Force]] give salutes with heads both covered and uncovered, but saluting indoors is forbidden except when formally reporting to a superior officer or during an indoor ceremony. When outdoors, a head cover is to be worn at all times when wearing [[Army Combat Uniform]]s, but is not required when wearing physical training (PT) gear. The [[United States Navy]], [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] and [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]] do not salute when the head is uncovered or out of uniform.

=====US state defense forces=====

[[State defense force]]s (SDF) in the United States are military units that operate under the sole authority of a [[State governments of the United States|state government]]. State defense forces are authorized by [[State law (United States)|state]] and [[federal law]] and are under the command of the [[Governor (United States)|governor]] of each state.

State defense forces soldiers are subject to the [[Uniform Code of Military Justice]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The UCMJ Applies to State Defense Force Soldiers|url=http://csmrsoldier.com/2013/01/31/ask-a-jag-what-about-the-ucmj/|access-date=27 November 2018|archive-date=27 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127193847/http://csmrsoldier.com/2013/01/31/ask-a-jag-what-about-the-ucmj/|url-status=dead}}</ref> They are also subject to their state military laws and regulations and render the same customs and courtesies as active duty, Reserve and National Guard personnel.

====Zogist salute====
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Royal Albanian army 2.jpg|thumb|Albanian soldiers performing the Zogist salute]] -->
{{Main|Zogist salute}}
The Zogist salute is a military salute that was instituted by [[Zog I of Albania]]. It is a gesture whereby the right hand is placed over the heart, with the palm facing downwards. It was first widely used by Zog's personal police force and was later adopted by the [[Royal Albanian Army]].

In Mexico, a salute similar to the Zogist salute is rendered by Mexican civilians during the playing of the Mexican national anthem.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vacations.com/flag-day-in-mexico |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719035408/http://vacations.com/flag-day-in-mexico |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 July 2012 |title=Flag Day in Mexico |publisher=Vacations.com |date=24 February 2010 |access-date=12 May 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KsxZvwCuOUQC&q=mexican+flag+day+salute&pg=PA55|title=Pledging Allegiance: Learning Nationalism at the El Paso-Juarez Border|last1=Rippberger|first1=Susan J.|last2=Staudt|first2=Kathleen A.|date=2012|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781136063060|pages=53|language=en|quote=Students, teachers, and others stand at attention with their right hand held precisely at right angle to their chest, hand flat, parallel to their heart.}}</ref>