How to Salute (UK Armed Forces)

The salute is a sign of respect, thought to date back to Roman times or medieval Europe.[1] In the UK, saluting the Armed Forces is considered a mark of tradition for individuals within the Armed Forces.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Doing the Royal Air Force and Army Salute

  1. Image titled Salute (UK Armed Forces) Step 1
    1
    Understand the salute is done on the behalf of the King. When an officer salutes another officer in the UK Armed Forces, he is in effect saluting His Majesty the King. So, if a subordinate airman salutes an officer, the officer will return the salute on behalf of the King.
  2. Image titled Salute (UK Armed Forces) Step 2
    2
    Salute with your right hand and an open palm. Officers in the Royal Air Force and the Army both salute the same way. When RAF and Army personnel do a hand salute, they display an open hand. They position their right hand so their fingertips almost touch the band of their hat.
    • The RAF and the Army do not wear white gloves as part of their uniform, so they will salute with their palm facing forward.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Salute (UK Armed Forces) Step 3
    3
    Acknowledge your superiors with a salute. Taking the word “salute” literally, it is a way of offering a salutation or a greeting. In the military, you must show respect by saluting your superiors, and your superiors must reciprocate by saluting you.
    • If you are not sure who is your superior officer based on your rank, you can use this chart here to determine who you should be saluting in the RAF and the Army. In the RAF, a Corporal will always salute an Air Marshal, for example, and in the Army a Private will always salute a Major.
    4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Doing the Navy Salute

  1. Image titled Salute (UK Armed Forces) Step 4
    1
    Understand the origins of the Navy salute. In the 1800s, naval officers would salute by raising their cap or by touching the brim of their cap with their index finger and thumb. This became the standard Navy salute, done with the right hand. The salute was done with the hand at a diagonal to prevent exposing the palm, as naval officers did not want to show their tar-stained hands to their superiors.[2]
    • In the Navy, officers can salute with their left hand if their right hand is engaged or occupied.
  2. Image titled Salute (UK Armed Forces) Step 5
    2
    Salute with your right hand and your palm facing down, towards your shoulder. Make sure your forearm and hand stay in a straight line. Tilt your hand so your palm does not show as you salute. Keep your hand to the side of your face, just below your cap.[3]
  3. Image titled Salute (UK Armed Forces) Step 6
    3
    Acknowledge your superiors with a salute. The word “salute” means to offer a salutation or a greeting. In the military, you must show respect by saluting your superiors, and your superiors must reciprocate by saluting you.
    • If you are not sure who is your superior officer based on your rank, you can use this chart here to determine who you should be saluting in the Navy. For example, in the Navy, a Petty Officer will always salute a Lieutenant.
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    What is the position of a military salute?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The position is standing upright with arm bent up and hand to the forehead.
  • Question
    What British regiment salutes left handed?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    None. Every regiment in the army salutes with the right hand, same in the air force and royal marines.
  • Question
    Which service is senior when saluting in the UK armed forces?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Royal Navy. However, the most senior officer regardless of branch should be the person saluted.
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Receive a Congressional Medal of Honor
How to
Receive a Congressional Medal of Honor
March
How to
March
Join the SAS
How to
Join the SAS
Salute Like a Soldier
How to
Salute Like a Soldier
How to
Understand the DEFCON Scale
Check Your ASVAB Score
How to
Check Your ASVAB Score
Stand at Ease
How to
Stand at Ease
Identify Military Rank (US Army)
How to
Identify Military Rank (US Army)
Join the French Foreign Legion
How to
Join the French Foreign Legion
Know Military Uniform Laws
How to
Know Military Uniform Laws
Properly Align Rank Insignia on Marine Uniforms
How to
Properly Align Rank Insignia on Marine Uniforms
Join Delta Force
How to
Join Delta Force
Become a Navy SEAL
How to
Become a Navy SEAL
Become a Marine Sniper
How to
Become a Marine Sniper
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-30679406
  2. ↑ http://www.hmsrichmond.org/avast/customs.htm
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6vG6CcsCa4
  4. ↑ http://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1018811

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 21 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 133,849 times.
70 votes - 84%
Co-authors: 21
Updated: October 30, 2022
Views: 133,849
Categories: Careers in the Military
Article SummaryX

To salute the UK Royal Air Force or Army, you’ll want to raise your right hand to your right temple with your palm facing forward and your fingers together. This is used to greet your superiors and show your respect. To salute superiors in the Navy, raise your right hand to your right temple, but keep your palm facing down. Make sure your elbow is in line with your hand. Like the Royal Air Force and Army, the Navy salute is used to demonstrate respect for your superiors. For more tips, including how to work out which ranks you should salute in the UK armed forces, read on!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement