'Saluting' across the chest

CPO Jon Campbell — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 20:32:10 -0400

Where did the 'across the chest salute' orginate? Is there a regulation somewhere about this peculiar motion that has taken hold across all branches of the military? (I am referring to the arm movement that a gate guard makes that is sort of a salute and also apparently signals a driver to go on through.)

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 12 at 2014 8:49 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 20:49:26 -0400

Only time I heard of this is if you are a guidon bearer, walking with the guidon independent of a formation. You stop at the position of attention with the guidon and salute across the chest.

Response by COL Randall C. made Oct 12 at 2014 8:54 PM

COL Randall C. — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 20:54:48 -0400

*chuckle*

CPO Jon Campbell, what you referring to isn't a salute, it's the hand and arm signal for traffic to proceed.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Oct 12 at 2014 10:50 PM

SSG Pete Fleming — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 22:50:05 -0400

CPO Jon Campbell, as LTC (P) Randall Cudworth said, it is an appropriate hand movement to direct the traffic. Typically for either high traffic areas, to detour around accidents, or when directing non officers... When done with a slight 'tweak a 'salute' is included in such a manner as to be respectful but still doing what needs to be done. No disrespect to any officers intended, but when not checking IDs the motion is intended to keep traffic moving in the desired direction, in a safe and most efficient manner.

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made Oct 12 at 2014 11:13 PM

CPO Jon Campbell — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:13:47 -0400

I'm wondering if this motion is something that was specifically developed by one branch of the military? Typically, civilian police use a completely different arm movement to accomplish the same thing. I have seen this arm movement used by all branches of the military, but only in the last few years. It seems to be something that has been informally adopted - sort of like a disease that has spread. I have never seen anything in any manual about it. I have also seen gate guards use it in place of a salute.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2014 11:39 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:39:11 -0400

Sounds kind of Roman like...Not sure of the origin.

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made Oct 13 at 2014 12:20 PM

CPO Jon Campbell — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 12:20:16 -0400

I am 99% sure that there is no Coast Guard regulation or any class that the Coast Guard teaches that involves gate guards making this gesture. I have to assume that gate guards have adopted it from seeing other services do it. The Coast Guard mostly used rent-a-cops for gate guards until after 9/11. Then it became a collateral duty for nearly everyone. Eventually, it degraded to the point where walking wounded, and other lay abouts were ordered to man gates. The only instruction I have ever heard a gate guard being given is "Call the OD if you have a question."
If the motion originated in any other branch of the service, there is likely a regulation and probably an illustration to go with it. My suspicion is that some guy somewhere said, "Hey let's start giving the Roman salute to cars and see what they do."

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Oct 13 at 2014 12:20 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 12:20:28 -0400

The Roman "across the chest" salute was actually a fist over the heart, as in a pledge of fealty.

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Jul 11 at 2015 7:06 PM

CDR Michael Goldschmidt — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 19:06:42 -0400

This is NOT a salute, but a gesture. Military gate guards render officers separate salutes.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2016 8:36 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 20:36:50 -0400

This happened to me the other day, by a Navy gate guard who was carrying a shotgun over his right shoulder. He performed the salute in the same way that a guidon bearer would render a salute.

Response by PO2 James Schadler made Oct 19 at 2019 8:24 PM

PO2 James Schadler — Sat, 19 Oct 2019 20:24:10 -0400

I am from a very old Navy family. The way I learned the across the chest salute is this.
As we all know, the proper way for a civilian to salute the flag is to uncover and hold the hat over the heart in the right hand, or just the open right hand if uncovered.
However in the case of a military man out of uniform or a veteran, one holds the closed right fist over the heart, symbolising that we are the fist of the Republic. This is rather similar to present arms with sidearms.