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

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

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.

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."

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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...