Posted on Oct 13, 2014
When is it correct to salute with your left hand?
321K
1.01K
604
36
36
0
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!
--
*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
0
0
0
0
0
0
Saw a left handed AF salute today watching film on the F-5, blond female with white tee shirt and OG pants on left side of the AC. She was directing it out of revetment and directing up the AC had to turn left, so As it got to the turn point she executed a left hand salute and dropped the left hand to indicate go left. As turn was almost completed she gave the right hand thumbs up and walked out of the camera range. I'd always seen the salute and thumbs up be the last thing and the person was at attention and gave salute and then thumb up. Maybe she had been Navy in a prior life, as I often see them salute with left hand while still giving the run up with the right and then give the thumb with right as he knelt and points to the shooter to fire.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
A buddy of mine and I were strolling across the compound one day out in the boonies, and my buddy properly executed the right hand salute as we came upon our platoon leader, who was a good guy. I, being on the left, matched my buddy's salute with the snappiest left hand salute I could muster, whereupon the LT was left trying to remember which hand to return our salute with. He just laughed and told me to never confuse him again.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
When marching alone with a guidon, if your right arm is missing or injured/immobilized....and I think if your'e the drum major
(0)
(0)
SGT Richard H.
Yes, all of those (though I can't find a reg on the missing limb, but I'm pretty sure it's correct). Also under arms with an M-14, at right shoulder arms and order arms (left hand to the rifle) Those also apply in the Marine Corps with the M16
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
When your right hand is full? I don't know the reg on this, but I'll own it. *cringe*
(0)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
OK. I was just kidding. Er, "when you are carrying the unit guidon" is what I MEANT to say. I'm just bad at spelling? Damn.
(0)
(0)
SGT Richard H.
LOL...yes, That's one. Also with a rifle at right shoulder arms, trail arms, and order arms. In all 4 cases, the salute is rendered with the with the hand across the chest, rather than to the cover brim.
(1)
(1)
(0)
(0)
SGT Richard H.
SSG (Join to see), you disagree? This question is across all services. I'd be happy to point you to the correct regulations.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
Never. The only person authorized to salute with the left hand is the Drum Major.
(0)
(0)
SGT Richard H.
Cpl Brett Wagner I may be mistaken on this, but I think the guidon bearer in this instance salutes in much the same way as when at right shoulder arms, which is to bring your left hand across the chest to the guidon pole (as opposed to the vicinity of the charging handle when it's a rifle)
(1)
(0)
(2)
(0)
Cpl Brett Wagner
SGT Richard Hanner ah yes agreed. the important thing here is that I slow down & read, instead of seeing "formation" I read "uniform" DOH stupid Wagner
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google