Why does the military insist on saluting?

BBC News ^ | 5th January 2014 | Justin Parkinson

[the scotsman]

'The UK's Ministry of Defence has issued a reminder to young officers to salute their superiors. But when did this form of greeting originate and why is it used, asks Justin Parkinson.'

[K-oneTexas]

Respect!

However many under 50 (give-or-take) do not have that word in their vocabulary ... except when referring to themselves.

[BenLurkin]

[Jim Robinson]

It’s a sign of respect and or honor. Two things unknown to godless libtards.

[Celtic Conservative]

It was originally a sign of respect between knights and a way to show you were unarmed. The open hand, held up by ones face signified that you were not about to draw your sword.

CC

[Rik0Shay]

The salute was originally a form of greeting, between warriors, with the right hand up and open palm to show no weapons.

[razorback-bert]

Also to open the visor to show your face.

[SkyDancer]

In the Medieval days they used to raise their eye shield when wearing armor. Then later it was to show they had nothing in their hand. It’s a sign of respect to a higher officer.

[CondorFlight]

I also assume that when men wore hats, they removed their hats and bowed to a superior. Later that became just touching the brim of the hat; and from there, it evolved into various hand movements related to the same.

[SkyDancer]

Lots of different beginnings to that from different cultures.

[ZULU]

Respect. Tradition. Honor.

Words forgotten.

Pray for Britain. Pray for America. Pray for the west.

[yarddog]

Didn’t the Romans salute by putting their fist against their chest? Anyway the Romulans did.

I guess it has something to do with respecting the authority of officers and them returning that respect to their inferior ranks.

[Billthedrill]

Because my DI would have slapped the crap out of me if I didn’t.

[aomagrat]

Because we want too.

[ASA Vet]

RESPECT

[jmacusa]

In addition to raising the visor on a knights steel helmet. The three fingered salute used by Serbs indicated the Holy Trinity, Identifying one as a Christian and not a Muslim.

[Covenantor]

One salutes Field Marshall von Mackensen out of respect and fear. And because the last feldwebel who failed to do so lost his head. His shrunken skull reminds the lesser ranks to snap to, boot stamp, etc, etc.

[Hot Tabasco]

But when did this form of greeting originate and why is it used,

I agree, the salute should be modernized to the "high five", "down low", "too slow" method of acknowledging a superior officer..........

[Billthedrill]

Geesh. I’m guessing they didn’t call that guy “Chuckles” behind his back.

[Know et al]

When I was in the navy in the 60s, I saluted enlisted men more than officers. When I was stationed aboard ship, I saluted the “officer of the deck” every time I boarded ship or went ashore. The officer of the deck was usually a first class petty officer or a chief.

When I was on a shore station, It wasn't that often that I encountered an officer. It just worked out that way.