Posted on Oct 13, 2014
When is it correct to salute with your left hand?
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There are a gazillion discussions on saluting on RP...let's see how many know this one.
NO PEEKING at regs or other people's replies until you've answered!
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*Note: Photo added by RP Staff, noted that these salutes are with the right hand!
NO PEEKING at regs or other people's replies until you've answered!
--
*Note: Photo added by RP Staff, noted that these salutes are with the right hand!
Posted in these groups: 
Saluting
Saluting
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 338
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I see a lot of replies here about an injured right arm. When I broke my right wrist in a HMMWV accident, and had to wear a sling for several weeks, I was told to skip the salute and just give a verbal getting.
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SGT Richard H.
There are a couple of answers on here that were new info to me. At right shoulder arms, across the chest is the USMC answer unless the manual of Arms has changed. Same thing for the Army, but it was in the M-14 manual of arms. Also, some situations with a guidon.
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SFC Thomas Kepler
No, medically retired.... Moved to be with my wife in Brazil. Teaching conversational English here.
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There are only 2 people authorized to salute with the left hand, while in uniform, in the US Army. They are both members of the 3rd INF Regt, "The Old Guard". They are the Commander of the "Commanders Guard" and the Drum Major of the Drum and Fife Corps.
No one else in the US Army is authorized to salute with the left hand under any circumstance. If your right hand is hurt or missing, the greeting of the day is acceptable as a salute.
No one else in the US Army is authorized to salute with the left hand under any circumstance. If your right hand is hurt or missing, the greeting of the day is acceptable as a salute.
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SSG (Join to see)
Guidon bearer salutes with the left hand when not in formation but carrying the guidon.
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Unless the regs changed for the AF, never. I would guess the other services are the same.
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SMSgt Bryan Raines
Should have known it was a trick question. I was thinking traditional salute, hand to brow.
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CPT Steven Harder
If you've lost your right hand in combat or not, the greeting of the day is the acceptable substitute to the salute in the Army.
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SSG James Gass
MSG Brad Sand, that was a salute when I was in many years ago now Also we saluted when at right shoulder arms with left also at right carry arms.
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SSG (Join to see)
TC 3-21.5 Drill & Ceremonies Appendix H states "When the guidon bearer (not in formation) has to salute from the order or carry position, the Salute is given with the left hand. To achieve this position, execute the following actions. "
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CPT Steven Harder
In the Army, there are only 2 authorized to salute with the left hand, while in uniform . . . They are the Drum Major of the Drum and Fife Corps and the Commander of the "Commanders Guard", both are part of the 3rd INF Regt, The Old Guard (TOG).
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When you are carrying your rifle at right shoulder arms, then a left handed salute can be rendered , left arm and hand parallel to the deck and fingers will go under the charging handle. Thats one example
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