Must be something about the Krautisch genome.
Posted on 01/06/2015 2:51:08 PM PST by 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.'
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
It goes back at least as far as the Roman empire.
Originally the salute was just holding your hand out, above your head, to show that you were not holding a weapon. It was a practical reassurance that you weren’t intending to kill the person approaching you, and then it eventually evolved into a more symbolic tradition.
I like it!
Special Forces could use the “soul” shake to differentiate themselves.
Because my DI would have slapped the crap out of me if I didn’t.
Yup! Got caught with a pocket unbuttoned....never did that again. :-)
“Hands up, don’t shoot.”
Who should return the salute, showing mutual respect. That is a key part of it as well.
Active Duty/Retiree ping.
When in military decorum is it proper for the reverse to happen? (When a Superior salutes a subordinate first)
Good point. I read in the basic training manual that the highest-ranking general in the Army is required to return the salute of the lowest-ranking recruit. The returned salute is intended to show the same respect given by the higher-ranking officer to the lower rank.
In Vietnam, we were discouraged from saluting outside, for obvious reasons, as in the enemy can see the leaders and target them first.
Same downrange currently.
Most of the other times are during ceremonies when a subordinate is receiving a medal or citation (though not always)
Saluting an armed forces member who was awarded and presently wearing the MOH is not required by any military code but it is one of those unwritten rules that become ingrained in an institution.
Didn’t the Romans salute by putting their fist against their chest?....Supposedly that was to show their superior “My life (heart) is yours to do with.”
An Australian example can be seen here at youtube.
Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston AC AFC: As the highest ranking member of the Australian Defence Force, there has been no current serving member that I salute, until now.
Though there is no statutory requirement, tradition holds that even the most senior officer will salute a Victoria Cross recipient as a mark of the utmost respect for their act of valour.
It will be my great honour from this moment forth to salute Trooper Mark Donaldson, VC.
(The occasion was the first awarding of a Victoria Cross to an Australian soldier since Vietnam)
Must be something about the Krautisch genome.
I think that is where Jack Swagger (WWE) leaned his salute. We, the people. :-)
1) To a Medal of Honor recipient
2) When rendering honors at a memorial ceremony
Well the way my dad explained it, the lower rank salutes first and the higher rank returns it.
A very fine tribute. I have always thought that Aussies are the best allies we have.
One of Field Marshall von Mackensen nicknames was the "Last Hussar"
That's his Hussar uniform. With the heavy saber Hussars carried he could have carried out a Night of the Long Knives by his own self.
IIRC, an English unit also used the death's head insignia.
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