Why do you think newly commissioned officers give a silver dollar to the person that renders them their first salute?

LTC Paul Heinlein — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 07:42:39 -0400

While I do not think anyone knows for sure where this tradition originated, some suggest that it was passed on from British regiments garrisoned in the US.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 13 at 2014 11:27 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 23:27:52 -0400

Way to blow it for me LTC Paul Heinlein ! I used to hang out at Fort Benning on OCS graduation days. Now there will be competition!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2014 11:30 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 23:30:32 -0400

I don't know but I need to head to West Point on graduation day and do some saluting.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2014 11:45 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 23:45:16 -0400

A first salute is a courtesy rendered to a newly commissioned officer to acknowledge his new position and rank. I rendered the "first salute" to a friend of mine at his graduation ceremony. It was a huge honor.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2014 12:10 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 00:10:55 -0400

My father in law got my coin. The US Mint saw fit to cast a coin for the finest branch in the Army. The Infantry Silver Dollar. If you were branched Infantry you had to get it.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Sep 14 at 2014 8:18 AM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 08:18:30 -0400

What i was told Sir was that in the old days newly commissioned officers had enlisted advisers and the symbolism of giving that silver dollar to your first salute was in essence an homage to paying that enlisted for his services to the newly commissioned officer of years past.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2014 10:32 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 10:32:14 -0400

According to http://www.jcs-group.com/military/rank/salute.html :

The exact origin of this custom is arguable. Researchers suggest that it came from the British regiments stationed in Colonial America. They brought with them a number of customs and traditions that were retained by the newly formed American Units. For example, newly commissioned British officers were assigned an enlisted soldier to train them, teach them the regiment's history and traditions, and ensure that his equipment met appropriate standards. Grateful lieutenants often showed their heartfelt gratitude by informally compensating the enlisted man with a small sum of money.

This custom continued to grow within the British military and newly formed American units. American second Lieutenants, in 1816, received a monthly base pay of $25, a $3 ration allowance, and $1 for an enlisted advisor. This advisor's pay was later discontinued, but the responsibility for teaching the newly commissioned officer continued. The present day tradition is thought to have its roots in this relationship.

Authorized by Congress on April 2, 1792, the silver dollar traditionally is the only coin given in exchange for the first salute. The coin should represent more than a dollar in currency. To every new officer, it has a special significance. It represents the symbolic receipt of respect due a newly earned rank and position. It signifies a deep sense of gratitude for the knowledge-enlisted personnel, especially NCOs, have passed on to them during training. It's acknowledgement from one professional to another saying, "Welcome to our service and to the profession of arms."

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 14 at 2014 11:48 AM

SGT Richard H. — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 11:48:09 -0400

Interesting thread. Thanks for posting it, LTC Paul Heinlein. I've always known about this tradition, but never really asked "why?". I'm hoping to pin 2LT bars on my daughter in a few years. (she's a high school senior applying for ROTC). I told her about this tradition and jokingly told her that I was going to get into uniform and pin her bars so I could recoup $1 of my investment.

Response by Cpl Michael Strickler made Sep 14 at 2014 12:45 PM

Cpl Michael Strickler — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 12:45:18 -0400

I am not sure if I am more intrigued by this or disappointed by the fact that the tradition of an officer learning about his new unit has disappeared. That is a genius idea to have the new LT learn about his unit, its history, customs, etc. Why did we stop doing this?! There would be so much less animosity towards LTs if they kept with this tradition. Even if they followed the First Sergeant or another NCO around. So annoying when you get a new LT that throws a wrench in everything that your unit has established. Kinda figures that something intelligent like this (in today's day) would degrade into paying the first person that shows you respect...

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2014 8:32 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 20:32:57 -0400

I have heard that it was originally a way for a new officer to thank the NCO who had trained him prior to commissioning. The story goes that the officers knew that they wouldn't have been prepared to take on their new responsibilities without the skills and knowledge passed to them from the NCO who was responsible for their training. Since the NCO received lower pay and the officers felt they had more knowledge, the new officer would give a silver dollar as a small attempt to offset the pay difference. A real silver dollar is actually worth quite a bit of money, but nowadays most people just pay homage to the tradition with a $1 coin.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2014 12:15 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 12:15:06 -0500

Some of really did used to stand in line to collect silver dollars after OCS graduations...we donated the money to Army Emergency Relief. When I was commissioned, I had the opportunity to do things in reverse...took forever to find a real silver dollar!!

Response by PO2 Jonathan Scharff made Nov 4 at 2014 5:47 PM

PO2 Jonathan Scharff — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 17:47:15 -0500

This is a photo of me, then an E-2 rendering the first salute to my brother at his graduation/commissioning from the Citadel. So proud of him that day. It was an honor to do it. The coin belonged to our great great grandfather. My mother was gracious enough to allow us to use it for the event. This picture hangs over my dresser so I see it every day and it still makes me smile.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Nov 4 at 2014 7:21 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 19:21:59 -0500

Not sure why, other than tradition, which is often reason enough.

That being said, this is picture of myself, along with 2nd Lt (now Captain) Bridges, our XO at his graduation from OCS in 2009. He is digging that silver dollar out of his pocket. It was absolutely my honor to receive the first salute, as we had previously deployed together, and lived together, when I was a SSgt, and he was a SRA. This is what makes the Guard awesome. He already had his degree as a SRA and when the opportunity arose to chase a commission, he took it and has been running with it ever since.

For the last 6+ years, I have had the privilege of serving as First Sergeant and have the honor of working for him as he made that difficult transition from E to O. I only hope that the advice provided through the years has helped, because I cannot think of a better way to end my career than by guiding a young LT into a position where he will successfully take command of a unit.

That silver dollar is front and center in one of my coin displays, and is one of my prized possessions.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2014 11:36 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 23:36:27 -0500

Can it be a Sue B Anthony Dollar instead? Plenty of those at the post office

Response by LTC Paul Heinlein made Nov 5 at 2014 8:54 AM

LTC Paul Heinlein — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 08:54:50 -0500

1SG Private RallyPoint Member,

There is no obligation other than it is a right of passage, so I guess you can do what ever your personal beliefs lead you to do.

I went to a coin store and purchased actual Silver Dollars (I think they were 5 or 6 dollars each back then [1990]).

Since I was in the National Guard at the time, but was receiving a Regular Army Commission, I bought two. One I presented at my commissioning ceremony, and the other I presented to a Private at my National Guard Unit.

Response by LT Jessica Kellogg made Nov 5 at 2014 8:55 PM

LT Jessica Kellogg — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 20:55:46 -0500

My husband, RDC, and DI were my first salute.
A silver dollar barely begins to repay the debt of gratitude I owe each of them for getting me to where I am now.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Mar 6 at 2015 9:59 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 21:59:43 -0500

Let's see if I can do my old OCS PSG proud. I think the silver dollar is meant to symbolize the fact that you bought your first salute but are expected to earn all others.

Response by CPT Bruce Beattie made Mar 16 at 2015 1:27 PM

CPT Bruce Beattie — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 13:27:48 -0400

I attended Norwich University, The Military College of The State of Vermont. Our Oath was administered outdoors and as soon as that was done we filed into the administrative building to sign the paper. As we exited the building four of the NCOs who had been responsible for much of our training for the past four years were waiting in a line. As each brand new 2LT exited the building, one of the NCOs would step forward and salute him. They each took turns and at the end of the exercise each of them had a nice bit of cash in their pockets. This was back in 1967 and paper currency was in vogue.

Response by CW2 Carl Swanson made Feb 11 at 2016 3:34 PM

CW2 Carl Swanson — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 15:34:49 -0500

When I graduated from WOCS, my mother sent me a silver dollar to give to my first salute. After graduation, I walked around for about 4 days with the dollar in my pocket and no opportunity to use it. Finally, I was sent over to the Ft. Rucker headquarters building with some paperwork. As I was walking into the building from the rear parking lot, a young Specialist saluted me. I returned the salute and stopped her for a moment.

She thought she had done something wrong and was very shocked when I presented her with the dollar and explained the significance of it.

About a year later, as I was clearing post, I ran into that young lady again, now a Sergeant. She showed me the silver dollar that she continued to carry in her pocket and that she had just submitted her Flight Warrant packet and hoped to be able to pass on the dollar to another enlisted soldier.

I was always glad it went to a young, squared away soldier.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2017 3:37 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 May 2017 15:37:10 -0400

I had the privilege to be part of the silver dollar coining ceremony for two 2LTs in my career. Both were former Specialists in my company that I was the Detachment Sergeant at the time. Both selected me to thank me for providing training as a Soldier. I was more than honored to be the first to salute each new officer. As it was both turned out to be fine officers. One is now retired and the other continues to serve.

Response by CMSgt John E Rich made May 23 at 2017 2:52 PM

CMSgt John E Rich — Tue, 23 May 2017 14:52:45 -0400

I had the pleasure of rendering the first salute to my two sons. One US Army the other US Navy.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2017 11:39 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 23:39:12 -0400

I've heard a second half to that, please tell me if anyone else has heard it. That is, if the officer (former ENS/2LT) makes flag or general officer, the person who has their silver dollar returns it to them? Not sure that it honors the spirit of giving a silver dollar, or that it even happens (are many alive still when the whippersnapper makes flag??), but just wondering if anyone else had heard that.
My dollar went to one of my grandfathers, and to a crusty old USMC GySgt in my church, who lied about his age and was a Navy UDT during WWII (forerunner of the SEALs).

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Oct 17 at 2018 9:15 PM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 21:15:56 -0400

I was commissioned in San Antonio. That young SGT who gave me my first salute as a Commissioned officer was on cloud nine that day. It was a form of respect in a time honored profession. A

Response by Capt Peter de KAM made Oct 16 at 2019 5:41 PM

Capt Peter de KAM — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 17:41:42 -0400

My story... I spent 8 1/2 years enlisted as what’s now known as a TACP or JTAC. After commissioning I drove over to my old Basic Military Training Squadron with the single minded purpose of finding the “right” NCO. After I explained my mission to the Executive Officer, she found the Drill Sergeant who currently had the best performing flight of recruits. He rewarded me with the perfect salute and I rewarded him with my silver dollar in front of his flight. I swear he was floating on air! That was thirty five years ago and I still remember like it was yesterday....