Posted on Oct 13, 2014
When is it correct to salute with your left hand?
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When right arm is immobilied. A Boatswain's Mate piping someone aboard or a Photographer's Mate steadying a tripod.
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When you are are wounded, or you no longer have the right arm, the fact that you are still rendering honors is more important than the proto-call. As am amputee, anyone who renders honors to me will receive honors in return.
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SGT Richard H.
Great answer. There are a couple more scattered throughout the thread...some of which I knew, and a few of which I learned after posing the question.
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SFC Stuart Hartman
SGT Richard H. - I have a complete right arm , that no longer functions much above my waist .
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If the right hand/arm is injured so as to create an inability to salute, or when a Boatswain's mate is piping someone aboard as the Bos'un pipe is used with the right hand.
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Amputees who have lost their right arm can salute with their left hand, as can the drum major of the 3rd Infantry Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps.
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When holding a door at the White House and positioning requires your right hand to pull the door.
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Only the drum major of the US Army Band (not any division or other line bands) is authorized to salute with his/her left hand.
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in my view, there are no rules for the left hand. It is more common sense if and when your right hand is for any reason 'unavailable', it is best to salute with the left than render no salute al all. Remember, saluting is an earned privilege and a courtesy to our fellow soldiers regardless of rank
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By regulation, there is only one person in the US Army Authorized to salute with his left hand, it's the Director of the Army Band in the MDW. All other personnel are only authorized to salute with the right hand. Even amputations and injuries are required to salute with the right hand.
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SGM Monte Pursifull
More precisely, it's the drum major of the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division, Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps. Amputees who have lost their right arm are also allowed to salute with their left hand.
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SFC Stuart Hartman
are you telling me , that because I can no longer salute with my right arm , there is no way I can properly wear my uniform to mil. functions , because I can't salute the flag , or any one.? please ref. reg's
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probly when the said person giving the salute is the POTUS. that guy wouldnt know a dick from a dildo i can assume he wouldnt know a proper salute considering the disrespect he has for our military
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SGM Monte Pursifull
Amputees who have lost their right arm are also allowed to salute with their left hand, AND the drum major of the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division, Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps.
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Douglas Sheley
I know a civilian contractor that always gives a 'hiyo' tip of the hat type hello, usually left handed, get his tail chewed by an AF officer. He was assuming the contractor was being rude. He said all he could do is stand there stunned until the officer was done so he could explain.
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PO1 Donald Hammond
Douglas Sheley - Tell him "1st amendment. Look it up cuz you are defending it." I had a Master Chief tell me I wasn't allowed to salute as a civilian. So I told him that. Thought about giving him the 1 finger salute. Just remember, there are rules for the MILITARY saluting but not for civilians. And as a veteran I will salute whomever and whatever I please.
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Jokes aside a rifle salute during a rifle drill distal knuckle of the left hand goes to the end of the barrel
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