“They put a hand to an empty head”: the nuances of a military greeting in the US Army

The military salute in the American army is called “Salute” and is fundamentally different from how it is displayed in many armies in the post-Soviet space. In Russia, it is worth noting that they cannot indifferently look at how in the USA the hand is applied to the "empty head" - that is, to the head on which there is no headgear.

A former Ukrainian soldier talks about the nuances of a military greeting in the American army on his YouTube channel Rud & Co.

How does the American army give a military salute?

For example, from the "quiet" position in the headdress - the right hand is pushed to the side by an angle of 90 degrees with the body, then bends at the elbow, after which the palm is brought to the head so that it touches the edge of the headdress with the index finger. At the same time, many American troops, giving a military greeting, turn their hand slightly towards the eyes. After that, the hand lowers directly in front of you - again to the attention position.

A former Ukrainian soldier, expressing his point of view, says that giving a military greeting without a headgear is correct.

Rudenko:

I believe that it should be so. The military salute in the USA is given to specific epaulets, and it is not so important who at the moment wears them.

Reasoning Rudenko:

Comments

[eagle owl]

Based on the fact that the gesture initially means raising the visor, the Ukrainian military is coming

[tracer]

Think, this is the dream of any bloomer elf to serve in the army of the "master". Whatever they do, everything will be "right". And better than everyone else. Although, of course, this is partially true for a bloomer. After what Nenki's army has become, it's of course fantastic.

[Shurik70]

Well, in Russia, too, there are many nuances that are strange to foreigners, who can be saluted, and at what nuances.
For the sake of PR, a general can salute the church patriarch.
The traffic police officer, introducing himself, also salutes.
BUT THE CAP HAS TO BE MANDATORY !!!
I think it’s not worth the hassle to climb into a strange monastery with your charter.
The main thing is not to allow anyone else to teach us charters. If necessary, we can take someone else’s (a gift from friends or a trophy from the enemy). But forcibly pushed in - kick back.

[Aldmit_2]

You can relate to Ukrainian non-brothers as you like, but in this video, the person simply explained the difference between the American greeting and greeting in the post-Soviet countries. He did not insult or humiliate anyone. And what serves in the US Army is his right. How many former Russians are there?
I’ll even say more. I listened. There is a certain logic in the American rules.

[Inspector]

Before the coup, Russian officers said, "I have the honor." Trotsky introduced saluting - and no one canceled it ... horror. Unsurprisingly, in 1991 and 1993, the Trotskyists took revenge. Officers, start with the return of honor. Yours.

[Shurik70]

Quote: Inspector

Before the coup, Russian officers said, "I have the honor." Trotsky introduced saluting - and no one canceled it ... horror. Unsurprisingly, in 1991 and 1993, the Trotskyists took revenge. Officers, start with the return of honor. Yours.

I didn’t read the royal charter.
But from history books one gets the impression that "I have the honor" is instead of "Goodbye" and "Goodbye" - a sign of confirmation of the end of the conversation, pronounced by a junior in rank when talking to the military, or by a civil servant when talking with any civilian. Not as a greeting.

[jonny64]

The expression "I have the honor" is usually taken as a certain praise of one's own merits and an emphasis on one's own significance, which is fundamentally wrong. Not only is this phrase misused these days, but it is also misunderstood, since it has a radically opposite meaning to what is being put into it now. Many do not know about this and try to use such a phrase anywhere, completely not realizing how important it was for their ancestors.
The phrase is borrowed from English "I have the honor of ...", which meant the presence of serious respect for your interlocutor and opponent. The modern interpretation of the phrase implies the presence of this very honor in the one who pronounces such a phrase. In fact, this is an absolutely wrong opinion - they do not have honor, in terms of owning it, but they have in terms of getting attention from the interlocutor or opponent. In a similar way, you can explain the army expression "to salute" - of course, no one gives it to anyone, but they show respect and reverence in this way.
The expression became popular in Russia in the XNUMXth-XNUMXth centuries. It was used by army officers not only in official, but also in everyday communication. By the way, in the modern Russian army, this phrase is also often used, but not at all with the meaning that was originally invested in it. She was very fond of and often used by the famous General Lebed, who also did not quite understand its meaning. The widespread use of this expression completely discredited its meaning - now the proper meaning is not put into these two words at all.
“I have the honor” implies just a respectful attitude towards the interlocutor, and not emphasizing the presence of honor in oneself. Thus, the person wanted to express a certain gratitude, which does not in any way correspond to the modern use of such a phrase, which, by the way, now may sound completely inappropriate. In principle, the use of such an expression today is a common reduction in the general concept of honor and dignity, which, by the way, has already lost its importance compared to the times when the phrase was used among officers.
By the way, in the modern army of the Russian Federation, this expression is usually used as a military greeting. More precisely, farewell - this is even directly prescribed by the current combined arms Regulations, in particular, the chapter on military courtesy.
Initially, the phrase was used only in conjunction with verbs, for example, bow, stay, congratulate, see, appear and others. The famous "I have the honor!" paired with a click of heels and a sharp exit - nothing more than a widespread legend about a serious resentment of one person against another. That is why it is not customary to use such a phrase at the end of a sentence and without verbs, although in modern times this rule does not interest anyone.

[ccsr]

Quote: jonny64

Many do not know about this and try to use such a phrase anywhere, completely not realizing how important it was for their ancestors.

You stated everything absolutely correctly - this is exactly how the words "I have the honor" were interpreted, and this is not due to the personal qualities of the speaker, but as a tribute to the interlocutor.

[Barmaleyka]

Quote: Shurik70

The traffic police officer, introducing himself, also salutes.

in fact there are not any violations of tradition

[major147]

Quote: Shurik70

salutes too.

I would call it a "military greeting".

[sidoroff]

according to another legend, the gesture was "put into circulation" by Francis Drake when he greeted his queen. and the headdress for the royal
the person is supposed to shoot.

[Valery Valery]

Yes, let even the hand buttocks apply! In the latest trends in their tolerance, this may be more correct. Do we care ...

[svp67]

Quote: Uhu

Based on the fact that the gesture initially means raising the visor, the Ukrainian military is coming

This is how we think ... Visor or disguise, go from here with an "open face"
Americans have a different mythology, it comes from the English pirate Morgan. Who met with a similar gesture Queen Victoria in his ship. In answer to the question, what did it mean? He replied that I was hiding from the light emanating from Royal Majesty. Since then it has become a tradition ...
It’s worth recalling that the hats on his head WAS NOT

[Berg berg]

If he was hiding from the queen's radiance, he would have held his palm by his eyebrows, covering his eyes. And if he seemed to be listening to his hat, then he just doesn’t see a schiz that he doesn’t! )))

[svp67]

Quote: Berg Berg

If he was hiding from the queen's radiance, he would have held his palm by his eyebrows, covering his eyes.

Read the article carefully

At the same time, many American servicemen, giving a military greeting, turn their hand slightly in the direction of the eyes ...

[maidan.izrailovich]

Based on the fact that the gesture initially means raising the visor, the Ukrainian military is coming

Do not be so strict .... in the pots there is no visor.

[ccsr]

Quote: Uhu

Based on the fact that the gesture initially means raising the visor, the Ukrainian military is coming

There is a version that this gesture appeared in the era of the appearance of hats, when the greeter took to the fields, and took off his headdress to a superior in charge.

[Berg berg]

And so it worked out to automatism, that even at the genetic level this movement was impressed - although there is no hat!)))

[ccsr]

Quote: Berg Berg

And so it worked to automatism, that even at the genetic level this movement was impressed - although there is no hat

Instead, a cap or beret should be. But without a headgear, this gesture looks ridiculous for us, and our military traditions have deeper roots than in the American army.

[Bar2]

this is a salute

or here

The very word
-Salut-Solo -Sun
and eastern greeting
-Sala-Maleykum is a prayer to the Sun or Praise to the Sun, so that
SALAAM ALEIKUM.

[nikvic46]

Each army has its own traditions. Even in the parades, you can see that everyone walks in different ways. We have taken a lot from abroad now. These are shoes, hats, and numerous order straps.

[tracer]

In Russia, the ceremonial step is Prussian. The army of the Prussians disappeared in history but their step was passed on to Russian. Neither give nor take. The beautiful and proud step of brave and strong people.

[ccsr]

Quote: nikvic46

These are shoes, hats, and numerous order straps.

By the way, in the American army there is a good example when an asterisk (or several) is attached to one order block, if they re-award the same medal or order (or several times) - at least as I understand it. This significantly reduces the number of pads, and even when there are so many of them that reach the navel, it just looks ridiculous, and in some way resembles North Korean generals.

[your1970]

Quote: ccsr

This greatly reduces the number of pads,

Do we have many twice Heroes or Red Star awarded?
And anniversary medals are all one by one .....
There will be no significant decrease

[ccsr]

Quote: your1970

Do we have many twice Heroes or Red Star awarded?

Among veterans a lot.

[your1970]

Quote: ccsr

Quote: your1970

Do we have many twice Heroes or Red Star awarded?

Among veterans a lot.

And a lot of you living Do you know veteran order-bearers? They are not there, they died ... naturally after the Second World War they were many ...

and modern twice Heroes or twice order-bearers of the same order throughout the country 100 people will not be typed

The question was about simplifying the wearing of awards and reducing the number of pads on the slats for the current military

[ccsr]

Quote: your1970

There are none, they died ... naturally after the Second World War they were many ...

An officer who was awarded two Orders of the Red Star for Afghanistan served with me. In addition, I met such people several times in the nineties, among those I had to deal with - for example, K. Tariverdiev in the GSVG.

[your1970]

AND? The point is to enter some kind of asterisks / stripes on the slats for the sake of 200-300 people?
Moreover, for example, your example, in any case, wore both asterisks ....

[ccsr]

Quote: your1970

The meaning of introducing some kind of asterisks /

I did not say what to introduce - I said that there is a good example when they reduce the number of pads in a simple way, and it would not interfere with our armed forces, since in Soviet times they did not think of that.

Quote: your1970

stripes on slats for the sake of 200-300 people?

Judging by the fact that our hostilities are not ending, I do not exclude that these figures will not be final, especially since they can be awarded the Order of Courage several times.

[asv363]

They don’t apply a hand to an empty head! So that Rudenko would not think about this.

[Semurg]

Quote: asv363

They don’t apply a hand to an empty head! So that Rudenko would not think about this.

Not to an empty head, but to a head without a headgear. These are two big differences. and do not apply but salute or salute.

[asv363]

Of course, it was possible to paint everything formally. And yes, you are right, salute. But the saying sounds exactly as I wrote.

[Berg berg]

They salute, but they have the honor! Then this is a question with a gesture of Honor you have - turn your eyes, show your face!

[Nikolaevich I]

Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of November 10.11.2007, 1495 N 21.02.2019 (as revised on February XNUMX, XNUMX) "On approval of general military regulations of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation" (together with the "Charter of the internal service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation", "Disciplinary charter of the Armed Forces ...
War greeting

46. ​​A military salutation is the embodiment of comradely unity of servicemen, a testament of mutual respect and a manifestation of politeness and good breeding.
When meeting (overtaking), all military personnel are obliged to greet each other, observing the rules established by the Combat Charter of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The subordinates (junior in military rank) greet the first bosses (senior in military rank), and in an equal position, the first to greet the one who considers himself to be more polite and well-mannered.
47. Military personnel are required to comply with military greeting, paying tribute to:
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier;
mass graves of soldiers who fell in the battles for freedom and independence of the Fatherland;
The state flag of the Russian Federation, the Battle flag of the military unit, as well as the Naval flag at each arrival on the ship and departure from the ship;
funeral processions, accompanied by military units.
48. Military units and units while in the ranks welcome at the command of:
The President of the Russian Federation, the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation and the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation;
Marshals of the Russian Federation, army generals, fleet admirals, colonel generals, admirals and all direct chiefs, persons appointed to supervise the inspection (verification) of the military unit (unit), as well as persons who arrived to present the military unit with the Battle Banner and (or ) state award.
(as amended by the Presidential Decree of 14.01.2013 N 20) And where is "parting with honor" here?

[asv363]

Quote: Nikolaevich I

And where is "parting with honor" here?

It used to be different, Vladimir Nikolaevich:

In the Charter of the internal service of the Armed Forces of the USSR of 1960 and the Charter of the internal service of the Armed Forces of the USSR of 1975, which was in force until the collapse of the USSR and (in the Russian Federation) until January 1, 1993, a military salute is called a salute.

[Nikolaevich I]

Quote: asv363

Until January 1, 1993, a military salute is called a salute.

I never liked the expression "salute"! This always caused an internal protest in me ... for by the time of my military service, I already knew the words: " Soul to God ... Life to Fatherland ... Heart to ladies ... Honor to no one! " And rightly so, that they canceled ... there is no need to compare the military personnel to "schoolgirls" ... ,, of the old days!
PS By the way, I recently watched an old Soviet film ... an episode of the film dating back to the end of the 30s ... The red commander stops a gaping cadet: "Why not welcome senior in rank? "

[asv363]

If you think about it, then you are, of course, right. For me, it was more of an ordinary, formal action. And, by the way, the frequency of such formalism in "hot spots" drops sharply, as an example - the two Chechen wars.

[ccsr]

Quote: asv363

Of course, it was possible to paint everything formally. And yes, you are right, salute. But the saying sounds exactly as I wrote.

Interestingly, an example of an informal salutation of officers existed in the tsar’s life guard — it was customary between the guards to simply approach and shake hands with even an unfamiliar officer, instead of giving honor. Trubetskoy wrote about this in his notes.

[AlexVas44]

Quote: Semurg

Not to an empty head, but to a head without a headdress ... and they don’t apply but salute or salute.

Force, dear Semurg, to engage in verbiage. An empty head is a figurative expression that has existed for a long time and is understandable in this context. And nevertheless they put a hand (to the skull, to the head, to the headdress - as you wish) this military greeting, in common parlance - salute. All these are slang, but accepted expressions, not only in a military environment.

[Semurg]

Quote: AlexVas44

Quote: Semurg

Not to an empty head, but to a head without a headdress ... and they don’t apply but salute or salute.

Force, dear Semurg, to engage in verbiage. .

So komenty is the transfusion from empty to empty in the mass. For myself, I find useful and new in 5-10% of comments, the rest is water, that is verbiage

[AlexVas44]

Quote: Semurg

... the rest is water, that is verbiage

Well it is.

[Aldmit_2]

To give honor is not enough for everyone. They do not give honor, but carry out a military greeting

[mister-red]

Mikhail Yuzhny, when he won the match, saluted, covering his head with a racket. https://trenery-po-tennisu.ru/images/stati/man-rus/13yugn.jpg
Abroad, this gesture is not particularly understood. But he did very right, well done.
But to the defenders of this Ukrainian I want to draw attention to what he said "... that it is right to give a military salute without having a headdress." If he added - for the American army, then there would be no questions. And so he is just a lackey, because in his native country it is not only not accepted to do this, but it also looks idiotic. One time in the army, in his youth, the chief of staff saluted without a beret, so he looked at me with such a look that at least he could fall through the ground. Never did that again.

[SamVI68]

don’t put it on your empty head. and my head is not empty. I have that brain. So sho in a hat I or not does not matter.

[Nikolaevich I]

Well, I don’t know ... I don’t know ... Once I was justifying, though in a joking manner, "slugger" ... they say he put his hand to a not empty head; he has hair on his head, a brain in his head ...

[Dmitry Potapov]

In general, the absence of a headdress in our army corresponds to an incomplete uniform of clothing, except for the premises where the greeting is given by the stand "at attention". I am for our option! And even if they salute without panties, the less clothes the more comical.

[Shuttle]

Well, there has never been a knightly tradition in Americanism. They do not understand the depth of the essence of this gesture. More precisely, they put in a completely different, alien idea. Therefore, they don’t know what exactly is giving military honor. They send each other with this gesture t.s. Hello, and do not express military respect, recognition.
Yes, we took a lot from the Prussians and Europeans in general. Because in those days it was the best traditions of the army. But the U.S. Army has never been like that.

[kosovvskiy]

The military greeting of the Anglo-Saxons has a different internal content.

In most countries, it went from custom to take off or raise one's hat as a sign of greeting. When military hats became so complicated that they could not be quickly removed in all cases, the gesture was reduced to putting a hand or two fingers on the headgear. Accordingly, without it, the gesture is completely meaningless.

According to legend, the Anglo-Saxons showed a gesture after Francis Drake, when he met Elizabeth I, covered his eyes with his hand, as if protecting them from the radiance emanating from the queen. In this context, the gesture makes sense without a hat.

[The leader of the Redskins]

They told me that in school too. Without any pirates.

[Gardamir]

If the article described the traditions of different countries, then it would certainly be interesting. But the article is built on the principle that this is kakly ha ha, and this is amerikosy ha ha ha.

[sss]

For a man who serves a foreign country, even nightingales sing more pleasantly in a new place (although they say that nightingales do not live in America). As for the greeting, the hand is not applied in two cases: 1. when there is no headgear, 2. when the serviceman is armed. (The fact of having weapons is in itself an element of military respect. That was how we were taught.) As I recall, the German army was the same.
The best soldiers (at least in Europe, and therefore in the New World, starting at least from the Middle Ages) were German and Russian - Soviet. Despite all the Napoleonic and colonial wars. Well, there were also the French ... I do not recall the wars where the Anglo-Saxons fought worthy against superior or equal opponents. (if there are similar examples, I will remember with pleasure). So let them salute as they wish, if only they would not force us to this.

[Keyser soze]

I don’t remember wars where Anglo-Saxons would fight worthily

Anglo-Saxons .... UTB are the same Germans and Vikings. The same Old German was spoken in England, in Novgorod or in Kiev ...
And still the ethnic basis, the majority in Schaty are Germans.

[mister-red]

Change of country of residence is not always beneficial

[Semurg]

Quote: sss

The best soldiers (at least in Europe, and therefore in the New World, starting at least from the Middle Ages) were German and Russian - Soviet. Despite all the Napoleonic and colonial wars. Well, there were also the French ... I do not recall the wars where the Anglo-Saxons fought worthy against superior or equal opponents. (if there are similar examples, I will remember with pleasure). So let them salute as they wish, if only they would not force us to this.

Well, the French in the centennial war they beat three or four times, being in the minority and far from their bases. From the vaunted knightly cavalry of France flew down and feathers.

[Ponchik78]

About a third of the territory of modern France at that time was English possessions. There was no mention of any distance from the bases. Plus, Burgundy was an ally of the British and the French essentially fought on two fronts.

[your1970]

Quote: sss

2. When a serviceman with arms. (The fact of having weapons is in itself element of military respect. So we were taught.)

And we were taught that weapons should not be let out of the hands, therefore, honor is not given in arms

[Dmitry Bolotsky]

I allowed myself to disclose your comment.
To salute is a military greeting. Honor - honor - respect. Raising a hand up imitates raising a visor - with an open visor, as a rule, they don’t go on the attack. The civilians have nothing to do with the removal of the headdress - civilians greet them in this way.
Removing the headgear from the military means giving honor to the dead. Civilians adopted this gesture from the military.
Also, honor is given to weapons, firearms, blades. The standard bearer salutes with the banner.
In the absence of a headdress or in the ranks, honor is given by turning the head towards the greeted person at attention. In formation, when moving, the right-flanks look forward, keeping the formation straight, the rest turn their heads towards the person being greeted on the command - "Attention, alignment to the right".
Civilians are greeted with a nod of their heads, both with or without a headgear removed.
Thus, raising the right hand does not give honor:
1. In the absence of a hat.
2. If the right hand is busy.
3. In the ranks.
4. When honoring the dead.
5. Civil (except in certain cases).

[Barmaleyka]

the greeting has specific historical roots, everything else from the evil one

[Inspector]

Yes, that’s the difference - the Soviet still salute, and the Americans salute! That is why the Warsaw Pact did not exist !!! When you return the honor, as it was before the coup. Come to your senses ...

[mister-red]

Unconditionally 1st place in idiocy among all comments.

[Inspector]

and those who do not understand the meaning of what is written. If honor were the norm, not pathology, then it would be given not only from 1917 to 1993.
Until 1917, the officers said "I have the honor", and in 1993 they renamed this ritual into the Ichiota's "Military greeting"? No, comrade, these are those who, from 1917 to 1993, considered honoring by officers to be the norm. And now they deny the obvious.

[mister-red]

I have the honor - such a phrase was spoken not as a greeting, but as a farewell. Nothing else. It was necessary to read books in childhood.

[Flatter]

A cap, a cap, and a cap are the final element of a military uniform. Gest demonstrates its readiness to execute an order, both at an accidental meeting and in the service. And the Americans are ready without a uniform.

[Cowbra]

fundamentally different

The military salute in the USA is given to specific epaulets, and it is not so important who at the moment wears them.

And now the difference.

And HERE IN THIS, we are with you - we will never understand each other.
You didn’t fight

[Kibl]

Well, why publish on the open spaces of VO this crap from the next Ukrainian spill? Or there are no other topics already. As the saying goes, "Enough to clog the air"!

[Po-tzan]

In Russia, it is worth noting that they cannot indifferently look at how in the USA the hand is applied to the "empty head" - that is, to the head on which there is no headgear.

Why?