Do You Know Proper Saluting Etiquette?

Ten hut! Before you Semper Fi yourself into eternal glory on the battlefield, you’re going to have to learn the basics of soldiering ... and that includes saluting. In America, it’s a requirement.

As the legend goes, saluting started with the Romans. They required citizens to salute public officials as a means of proving they weren’t hiding weapons that could be used for assassinations.

Junior soldiers and sailors are the first to offer salutes to superior officers. It’s a sign of respect for the commanding officer’s power.

Don’t drop your eyes, soldier! Salute like you mean it, and keep your eyes on the person you’re saluting.

Sure, you can always salute the general later, but not if you’re all dead because you tried to salute while driving. Keep both hands on the wheel.

Sure the "Airwolf" theme song will make you FEEL like saluting ... but for soldiers, it’s not really appropriate. However, they should always salute when "Top Gun" is played on TBS.

Indoor salutes are rare. But if you’re addressing a superior officer, better have that salute sharp and ready to go.

Soldiers must remember to salute in a wide variety of situations. And they must always salute during the raising and lowering of the flag.

Better shelve the theatrics when you’re saluting a fleet admiral. Any flourishes make you look like a rank amateur.

Soldiers almost never salute indoors. One common exception is when they offer reports to the higher-ups -- in this case, a sharp salute is necessary.

The salute isn’t just for "The Star-Spangled Banner." It’s also used to honor the national anthems of other nations, too, just before American warbirds bomb them into oblivion.

Some customs were more formal in the early days of the country. Back then, soldiers removed their hats as a sign of respect to their superiors.

Prisoners don’t get the same respect as other people. And as such, you don’t have to offer them salutes.

Medal of Honor recipients are the people who’ve sacrificed mightily for their country. As such, they are always entitled to a crisp salute.

For officers of a friendly foreign nation, you should offer a salute. For enemy officers, salutes should include a complimentary body bag.

Ancient knights had all manner of customs and courtesies. They saluted people by raising their visors with their right hands.

A proper salute finds you touching your forefinger to the outer edge of your right eyebrow. And keep those fingers straight, soldier!

A sharp salute requires a bit of effort. It means your upper arm (elbow to shoulder) should be parallel to terra firma.

U.S. soldiers started by removing their hats. Gradually, that custom gave way to a simple hat touch. Finally, that gesture gave way to a salute.

Saluting is primarily an outdoor activity. But in limited situations, like offering up reports, you’ll still have to have your salute at the ready.

Civilians look ridiculous when they’re saluting. That’s just one of many reasons they should never do it.

Junior soldiers saluting superior officers should salute and also offer an appropriate greeeting. "Good morning, sir/ma’am" is a good start.

Saluting is considered an honor. And it is one that’s extended to veterans and former service members.

In uniform, saluting isn’t optional. But if two soldiers are wearing civilian clothes, the salutes aren’t necessary.

You’re behind bars, and thus, you’ve lost the privilege of saluting. You’ll have to earn that privilege back, swabbie.

In the past, veterans were supposed to put their hands over their hearts for the national anthem. These days, though, it’s considered just fine if they snap into a salute instead.

All of your fingers should be straight and in a single plane. That includes your thumb, soldier.

You don’t salute anyone when you’re a POW. And if given the chance, you take down every enemy officer you can.

Civilians aren’t really allowed to salute, per se. But they can put their hands over their hearts during the national anthem and during other displays of patriotism.

Kids mimic adults and often salute soldiers. There’s no formal regulation for this one, but soldiers agree that it’s very disrespectful not to return the salute of an innocent child.