There are several types of military salutes - the hand salute, the rifle salute at order arms, a rifle salute at right shoulder, and still another rifle salute at present arms.
Australia and New Zealand
In both countries, the right-hand salute is generally identical to, and drawn from the traditions of, the British armed forces. The salute of the Australian or New Zealand Army is best described as the right arm taking the path of the longest way up and then the shortest way down.
The Indian Army personnel salute with an open hand, with the fingers and thumb together. The salute of the Indian Navy is done with the palm facing the ground.
During the sounding of The Last Post all members wearing military uniform and headdress are to stand at the attention position and salute. Armed parties are to be given the order to present arms and the commander of the party is to hand salute, if that person is not carrying a weapon.
Military salutes are normally performed with the right hand. The left-hand salute however is not exactly unauthorized as the Navy allows this salute when the right-hand needs to hold on to something while aboard ship. In the Philippine Army, there is the only one that does the left-hand salute, and for good reasons.
The military salute is described in some texts as a “one-count movement”. The right hand should be raised sharply, fingers and thumb extended with the palm facing down. The tip of the right forefinger should meet the rim of the headgear visor to the right of the right eye.
The exact origin of the military salute has been lost in time but it is believed that it originated by showing that the right hand (the fighting hand) was not concealing a weapon.
Although it is customary for the junior to initiate the exchange of salutes, it is completely proper for the superior to salute first. It's possible that after some commanding officer saluted a Medal of Honor winner, the word got around that this was expected of all other officers in the command.
During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute.
All military enlisted personnel in uniform are required to salute when they meet and recognize a commissioned or warrant officer, except when it is inappropriate or impractical (for example, if you're carrying something using both hands).
The commands are Present, ARMS and Order ARMS. On the command Present, ARMS, the airman executes the first count of hand salute. Count two of hand salute is performed when given the command Order, ARMS.
Salutes should be accompanied with a greeting such as “Good Morning / Afternoon / Evening… (Ma'am or Sir or Rank + Surname).” Officers of equal rank salute more or less simultaneously when greeting one another. When seated outdoors a more junior officer should rise and salute to greet a more senior officer.
Saluting. Part of everyday Naval life, a salute is always made with the palm facing in. Why? Because sailors' hands were generally covered in tar from sails and rigging, and it was deemed unsightly to show an officer or member of the Royal Family a dirty palm.
The tradition of the Gun Salute originated in the early 14th Century, firstly as a ceremonial method of creating noise to honour a guest and secondly for the practical purpose of confirming the guns were empty.
The Vice-Regal salute was proclaimed in 1984. It is the first four bars and last four bars of the Australian National Anthem and is used in the presence of the Governor-General. It is customary to stand when the Vice-Regal salute is played at a ceremony or public event.
While a salute is considered to be a gesture of respect, there's etiquette involved when it comes to rendering a hand salute, whether you are a veteran, active service member, or civilian. As a civilian, saluting soldiers is not a recommended way to honor a current or former member of the military.
This includes areas that are covered but not enclosed (i.e., gas stations, picnic areas, etc.). If there is a visual marker stating that the area is a "No Hat, No Salute" area, Soldiers will ensure they put on their headgear upon exiting that specific area.
The courtesy of the salute is encumbent on all military personnel, whether in garrison or in public places, in uniform or civilian clothes.
Typical "first salutes" come from current or prior enlisted family or friends of the new officer, or among one of their commissioning source instructors. The presentation of the coin symbolically acknowledges the receipt of respect due the new lieutenant.
If a group of individuals (standing still, not in formation) is approached by a senior, the first person who recognizes the senior should call the rest to attention, and each individual should render a hand salute. If the group is walking, all should salute simultaneously.
Samne Ka Salute Taking left foot from Right.
This story maintains that British archers were so effective and so feared by their enemy that when the French captured an archer they chopped off the two fingers he needed to draw a bow-string. Bowmen who had not been thus disfigured took to holding up two fingers to taunt their cowardly foes.
The salute is performed with the middle and index fingers extended and touching each other, while the ring and little fingers are bent and touched by the thumb. The tips of the middle and index fingers touch the peak of the cap, two fingers meaning honour and fatherland (Honor i Ojczyzna).
Today's military salute
The museum says the palm down portion of the salute may have been influenced by the salute style of the British Navy at the time. A sailor's hands were often dirty, and exposing a dirty palm – especially to a superior – would have been deemed disrespectful.