San Diego, California. (December 19, 2024): It seems that nearly every military in the world has the custom, but what is the purpose of the salute? In this photo by Corporal Alexander O. Devereux, a Marine Corps drill master salutes the colors during a graduation ceremony at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Every U.S. servicemember quickly learns how to properly render a salute and when and where to do it.

There is no definitive answer to the origin of the salute. The most common rumor dates the practice to medieval times when knights would raise their visors and display an open palm to show they were unarmed. The most likely explanation was a fundamental change in military headgear. In the English Army, for example, a junior Soldier would tip a hat to a superior which worked until the invention of the chin strap. From then on, it was impractical to remove one’s hat so the services adopted the simpler gesture of grasping the hat's visor which eventually morphed into today’s salute.

Many recruits may initially resent being required to salute their officers, but they are quickly reminded that courtesy is a mutual one. While a recruit, being junior, is required to render a salute to a superior, every officer is bound to return that gesture. This is a time-honored sign of comradeship between warriors and one of mutual respect. By regulation, members of the military are required to salute the President of the United States, commissioned or warrant officers, Medal of Honor recipients, and Officers of foreign countries.

Recruits also learn when and where it is appropriate to stand at attention and render a salute. This is anytime the national flag is presented, during the Pledge of Allegiance, or when reporting to a superior. Other occasions include infantry squad rifle salutes and the famous twenty-one-gun tributes extended to the President or other chiefs of state. In the end, the salute is a recognition of mutual regard and is a sign of good manners and discipline.