Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Why does the military insist on saluting?
BBC News ^ | 5th January 2014 | Justin Parkinson

Posted on 01/06/2015 2:51:08 PM PST by the scotsman

'The UK's Ministry of Defence has issued a reminder to young officers to salute their superiors. But when did this form of greeting originate and why is it used, asks Justin Parkinson.'

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: dominance; submission
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-56 next last

1 posted on 01/06/2015 2:51:08 PM PST by the scotsman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: the scotsman
Respect!

However many under 50 (give-or-take) do not have that word in their vocabulary ... except when referring to themselves.

2 posted on 01/06/2015 2:53:19 PM PST by K-oneTexas (I'm not a judge and there ain't enough of me to be a jury. (Zell Miller, A National Party No More))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: the scotsman

3 posted on 01/06/2015 2:55:08 PM PST by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: the scotsman

It’s a sign of respect and or honor. Two things unknown to godless libtards.


4 posted on 01/06/2015 2:59:02 PM PST by Jim Robinson (Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: the scotsman

It was originally a sign of respect between knights and a way to show you were unarmed. The open hand, held up by ones face signified that you were not about to draw your sword.

CC


5 posted on 01/06/2015 3:00:05 PM PST by Celtic Conservative (Tagline Constructon zone- low humor ahead)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: the scotsman

The salute was originally a form of greeting, between warriors, with the right hand up and open palm to show no weapons.


6 posted on 01/06/2015 3:01:14 PM PST by Rik0Shay
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Celtic Conservative

Also to open the visor to show your face.


7 posted on 01/06/2015 3:07:37 PM PST by razorback-bert (Due to the high price of ammo, no warning shot will be fired.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: K-oneTexas

In the Medieval days they used to raise their eye shield when wearing armor. Then later it was to show they had nothing in their hand. It’s a sign of respect to a higher officer.


8 posted on 01/06/2015 3:10:21 PM PST by SkyDancer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: SkyDancer

I also assume that when men wore hats, they removed their hats and bowed to a superior. Later that became just touching the brim of the hat; and from there, it evolved into various hand movements related to the same.


9 posted on 01/06/2015 3:11:38 PM PST by CondorFlight (I)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: CondorFlight

Lots of different beginnings to that from different cultures.


10 posted on 01/06/2015 3:12:48 PM PST by SkyDancer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: the scotsman

Respect. Tradition. Honor.

Words forgotten.

Pray for Britain. Pray for America. Pray for the west.


11 posted on 01/06/2015 3:13:28 PM PST by ZULU (Quo usque tandem abutere Obama patientia nostra?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: the scotsman

Didn’t the Romans salute by putting their fist against their chest? Anyway the Romulans did.

I guess it has something to do with respecting the authority of officers and them returning that respect to their inferior ranks.


12 posted on 01/06/2015 3:17:29 PM PST by yarddog (Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: the scotsman

Because my DI would have slapped the crap out of me if I didn’t.


13 posted on 01/06/2015 3:17:47 PM PST by Billthedrill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: the scotsman

Because we want too.


14 posted on 01/06/2015 3:25:04 PM PST by aomagrat (Gun owners who vote for democrats are too stupid to own guns.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: K-oneTexas
RESPECT
15 posted on 01/06/2015 3:29:51 PM PST by ASA Vet (Don't assume Shahanshah Obama will allow another election.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Celtic Conservative

In addition to raising the visor on a knights steel helmet. The three fingered salute used by Serbs indicated the Holy Trinity, Identifying one as a Christian and not a Muslim.


16 posted on 01/06/2015 3:33:37 PM PST by jmacusa (Liberalism defined: When mom and dad go away for the weekend and the kids are in charge.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Billthedrill
One salutes Field Marshall von Mackensen out of respect and fear. And because the last feldwebel who failed to do so lost his head. His shrunken skull reminds the lesser ranks to snap to, boot stamp, etc, etc.


17 posted on 01/06/2015 3:34:57 PM PST by Covenantor ("Men are ruled...by liars who refuse them news, and by fools who cannot govern." Chesterton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: the scotsman
But when did this form of greeting originate and why is it used,

I agree, the salute should be modernized to the "high five", "down low", "too slow" method of acknowledging a superior officer..........

18 posted on 01/06/2015 3:35:11 PM PST by Hot Tabasco (I'm a man of no-color and proud of it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Covenantor

Geesh. I’m guessing they didn’t call that guy “Chuckles” behind his back.


19 posted on 01/06/2015 3:38:37 PM PST by Billthedrill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Billthedrill
When I was in the navy in the 60s, I saluted enlisted men more than officers. When I was stationed aboard ship, I saluted the “officer of the deck” every time I boarded ship or went ashore. The officer of the deck was usually a first class petty officer or a chief.

When I was on a shore station, It wasn't that often that I encountered an officer. It just worked out that way.

20 posted on 01/06/2015 3:47:49 PM PST by Know et al (Keep on Freepin'!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-56 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson