Unusual salute in different parts of the world. Legislative framework of the Russian Federation

46. Military salute is the embodiment of the comradely cohesion of military personnel, evidence of mutual respect and a manifestation of politeness and good manners. All military personnel are obliged to greet each other when meeting (overtaking), observing the rules established by the drill regulations of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Subordinates (junior in military rank) greet their superiors (senior in military rank) first, and in an equal position, the one who considers himself more polite and well-mannered greets first.

3. Military salute. Chapter. Military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (Russian Armed Forces) and the relationship between them. Internal order. “Charter of the internal service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation” (UVS AF of Russia)

Military salute formerly called saluting, salute.

The rules of the military salute, in the Russian Armed Forces, are also mandatory for citizens discharged from military service when wearing military uniform clothes.

Version of the magazine "Around the World"

Military salute in different countries

In Western countries

In Western countries (which included the Russian Empire) salute was not and is not mutual military salute like a handshake, but is a symbolic gesture of respect. Actually salute(honors) or "hand salute"- This is a variation of other fireworks such as artillery or gun salutes.

At the same time salutation is not produced by humans. In republican countries (for example, the USA) salutation as a rule, it is produced in a uniform military uniform - one of the most important state symbols, second in importance only to the national flag - and is a gesture of mutual recognition and belonging to the same corporation, a symbol of mutual respect, therefore salute allowed only in uniform and only to a person in uniform.

Giving military honor soldier (Cossack): - If a soldier meets with a superior who is supposed to salute, then he must, 4 steps before the boss, place his right hand on the right side of the lower edge of his hat or cap so that the fingers are together, the palm is slightly turned outward, and the elbow is at shoulder height; at the same time look at the boss and follow him with your eyes. When the boss passes him by a step, then lower his hand.
When meeting with a boss who is supposed to salute standing in front, he, not reaching four steps from the boss, takes the last step with the leg to which he should turn (that is, if you need to turn to the right, then with the right foot, and if to the left, then with the left) and another full step or several less with the other leg, during the extension of which you should turn your shoulders and body in front and then, simultaneously with placing your foot, raise your right hand to the headdress, turning your head to the side of the boss. Saluting, you should stand according to the rules of the “stand”. When the boss passes him by a step, he turns in the direction he was going and, placing his remaining leg behind him, begins moving with his left leg, lowering his right hand with the first step.
The lower ranks salute, standing at the front: the Sovereign Emperor, the Empress and all Persons of the Imperial Family, all generals, admirals, the head of the garrison, their: regimental, squadron and hundred commanders, their staff officers, as well as banners and standards.
Without standing in front, but placing only your hand on the headdress,
salutes: - all headquarters and chief officers; military doctors; class officials of his regiment; reserve and retired generals, staff and chief officers, when they are in uniform; sub-ensigns, estandard cadets and sub-warrants; palace grenadiers; to all sergeants majors, sergeants and those commanding lower ranks to which they are subordinate; and privates, in addition, to all non-commissioned officers of their regiment, non-combatants of the senior rank and to all privates who have the Insignia of the Military Order.
If the lower rank comes with a gun or a naked saber, then for saluting he does not stand in front, but takes only four steps before the boss on his shoulder, turning his head towards him and following him with his eyes; then, when the boss passes him a step, he takes the gun or saber “freely.”
The lower rank, having some kind of burden, salutes according to the same rules; if the burden is large and both hands are occupied with it, then honor is given, following the boss with his eyes.
If a soldier stands still and his superior passes by, then the soldier saluting, must turn to face the boss; if the commander stands still and the soldier passes by, then the soldier salutes without stopping, but placing only his hand on the headdress. If a lower rank sees that the boss is overtaking him, then he salutes according to the same rules, placing whoever should be in the front.
Honor is given and in the presence of a senior superior. If the boss, who has been put in front, gives a sign with his hand or says that saluting continued to walk, then he turns and walks, without lowering his arms, until he passes the boss.
Military personnel must not remove their headgear for greetings whoever it is.
If the lower rank rides on a bridled (in Cossacks, bridle) horse, then for saluting does not stop in front, but takes the correct position, puts his right hand on the headdress and, turning his head to the boss, follows him with his eyes; and if with a pike, he takes it “in his hand.”
If the lower rank is riding a bridle horse (that is, the reins are in both hands), then for saluting He does not place his right hand on his headdress, but only turns his head towards the boss and follows him with his eyes. He does the same if he is driving a harnessed horse.
If the lower rank leads the horse on the bit, then for saluting goes over to the side of the horse that is closer to the leader and takes both reins in the hand closest to the horse, right under its muzzle; and in the other hand he takes the ends of the reins and turns his head to the boss.

V.V. Krestovsky, “Book for young cavalry soldiers and Cossacks”, St. Petersburg, ..

In the Red Army, RKKF and Red Guard

3. GREETINGS IN AND OUT OF FORMATION For greetings direct superiors are given the command “at attention”, “turn to the right (to the left, to the middle).” At this command, the military personnel take a military stance, and unit commanders (and political instructors) at the same time put their hand to their headgear and do not lower it until the command “at ease” given by the person who gave the command “at attention”. After the command is given, the senior commander approaches the newcomer and, stopping three steps from him, reports for what purpose the unit was built. Example: “Comrade Corps Commander, the 4th Infantry Regiment has been built for inspector shooting. The regiment commander is Colonel Sergeev." In the same order welcomes direct superiors of a Red Army soldier, appointed senior over several other Red Army soldiers. His approximate report: “Comrade Lieutenant, the team of Red Army soldiers of the 2nd squad, assigned to work on the target yard, has been built. The team leader is Red Army soldier Vasiliev.”
At the meeting of the chairmen of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and Union Republics, the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR and Union Republics, the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR and his deputies, the orchestra performs the anthem “Internationale”. When direct superiors meet - from the commander and military commissar of their unit and above - the orchestra performs a counter march. If the commander greets a unit or individual military personnel, they answer “hello.” To congratulations, the military unit (unit) responds with a drawn-out cry of “hurray,” and individual military personnel respond with “thank you.” In response to gratitude, the military unit and individual servicemen respond: “I serve (I serve) Soviet Union" When saying goodbye, they say “goodbye.”
When passing by the Lenin Mausoleum, as well as state monuments declared by order of the People's Commissariat of Defense of the USSR, military units welcome them at the command “at attention.”
For mutual greetings When meeting military units (subunits), as well as separately the following teams, their commanders also give commands: “at attention”, “align to the right (to the left)”.
The commands “stand up” and “at attention” are not given during maneuvers, tactical exercises, shooting (at the firing line), marching movements, work in workshops, garages, parks, hangars, at radio and telegraph stations, in laboratories, clinics, drawing rooms , when performing various chores, after the evening dawn, before the morning dawn, during lunch, dinner and tea. In these cases, the senior commander present or the duty officer (orderly) approaches the arriving (or encountered) chief and reports which unit (unit) is doing what. Examples: “Comrade Colonel, the team of the 3rd company is determining distances. The senior team member is Red Army soldier Sidorov.” “Comrade regimental commissar, the communications company has arrived from lunch, Red Army orderly Voloshin.”
The command “at attention” and a report to the boss are given only upon his first visit to classes on a given day. In the presence of a senior superior, the command “attention” and the report are not given to the junior superior. In the presence of the unit commander, the command “at attention” and the report to the military commissar of the unit are not given; in this case, the unit commander reports to the military commissar what the unit (unit) is doing. In the absence of the unit commander, the command “at attention” and the report are given to the military commissar of the unit. in cases where a commanding officer arrives at a unit, whom the military personnel (duty officer, orderly) of this unit do not know, the senior commander (duty officer, orderly) approaches the arrival according to the rules of the Military Regulations and asks to present a document. Example: “Comrade Brigade Commander, I don’t know you, please show me your ID.” The procedure for checking a document is as follows. On the back of the top cover of the ID card, look for a photo card, the edge of which should be covered with the seal of the institution or military unit. Compare the photo with the face of the ID holder. On the first and second pages, read the title, surname, first name, patronymic and position. On page six, check for signatures and seals and return the ID. If the newcomer turns out to be the direct superior, give the command “at attention” (when required) and give a report, as indicated above.
As a sign of belonging to the Red Army, mutual respect and military courtesy, military personnel welcome each other. Never wait for it to happen welcome another soldier. First of all welcome myself. Seated for greetings get up. Get up cheerfully and abruptly. When singing the “International” anthem, when you are out of formation (at parades, parades and in public places), take a position “at attention”; If you are wearing a headdress, place your hand on it and stand in this position until the end of the anthem.

Federal period

In modern army jargon you can periodically hear the expression salute, however, taking into account irreversible changes in the class structure of society, as well as the transformation of the military greeting from a ceremony into a modern tribute to tradition, this expression is a rarely used anachronism.

Decree of the President of Russia of November 10, 2007 No. 1495 (as amended on July 29, 2011) "On approval of general military regulations of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation"(together with the “Charter of Internal Service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation”, “Disciplinary Charter of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation”, “Charter of Garrison and Guard Services of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation”)

Military salute

46. Military salute is the embodiment of the comradely cohesion of military personnel, evidence of mutual respect and a manifestation of politeness and good manners.
All military personnel are obliged when meeting (overtaking) welcome each other, observing the rules established by the Military Regulations of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Subordinates (junior in military rank) welcome the first chiefs (senior in military rank), and in case of equal position the first welcomes one who considers himself more polite and well-mannered.
47. Military personnel are obliged to fulfill military salute , paying tribute to:

The State Flag of the Russian Federation, the Battle Banner of the military unit, as well as the Naval Flag upon each arrival on and departure from the ship;

48. Military units and subunits, when in formation, salute upon command:

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 superiors, as well as persons appointed to manage the inspection (check) of a military unit (unit).

For greetings in the ranks, in the place of the indicated persons, the senior commander gives the command “Attention, alignment to the RIGHT (to the LEFT, to the MIDDLE)”, meets them and reports. For example: “Comrade Major General. The 46th Tank Regiment has been assembled for the general regimental evening verification. The regimental commander is Colonel Orlov.”
When building a military unit with National flag Russian Federation and the Battle Banner (at a parade, parade review, during the Military Oath (taking an obligation), etc.), the report indicates the full name of the military unit with a list of honorary names and orders assigned to it.
At greeting in formation while on the move, the chief gives only a command.
49. Military units and units welcome on each other's command when meeting, and also perform military salute, paying tribute to:

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier;
mass graves of soldiers who died in battles for the freedom and independence of the Fatherland;
the State Flag of the Russian Federation, the Battle Banner of a military unit, and on a warship - the Naval Flag when it is raised and lowered;
funeral processions accompanied by military units.

50. Military salute troops in formation on the spot, the President of the Russian Federation, the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation and the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation is accompanied by the performance of the “Counter March” and the National Anthem of the Russian Federation by the orchestra.
At greeting military unit direct superiors from the commander of their military unit and higher, as well as persons appointed to supervise the inspection (check), the orchestra performs only the “Counter March”.
51. When out of formation, both during classes and in free time from classes, military personnel of military units (units) welcome superiors on the command “Attention” or “Stand up. Attention.”
At headquarters welcome on command only direct superiors and persons appointed to manage the inspection (check).
In classes outside the formation, as well as in meetings at which only officers are present, for military greeting Commanders (chiefs) are given the command “Comrade officers.”
The commands “Attention”, “Stand at attention” or “Comrade officers” are given by the eldest of the present commanders (chiefs) or the serviceman who was the first to see the arriving commander (chief). At this command, all those present stand up, turn towards the arriving commander (chief) and take a combat stance, and with the headdress on, they also put their hand to it.
The senior commander (chief) present approaches the arriving commander (chief) and reports to him.
The arriving commander (chief), having accepted the report, gives the command “At ease” or “COMRADE OFFICERS”, and the one who reported repeats this command, after which all those present take the “at ease” position, with the headgear on, lower their hand from the headgear and then act according to instructions of the arriving commander (chief).
52. The command “Attention” or “Stand at attention” and a report to the commander (chief) are given upon his first visit to a military unit or unit on a given day. The command "Attention" is given to the ship's commander each time he arrives on the ship (disembarks from the ship).
In the presence of a senior commander (chief), the command to military greeting the youngest is not served and the report is not made.
When conducting classroom lessons, the commands “Attention”, “Stand at attention” or “Comrade officers” are given before the start of each lesson and at its end.
The commands “Attention”, “Stand at attention” or “Comrade officers” before reporting to the commander (superior) are given if other military personnel are present; in their absence, the commander (superior) is only reported.
53. When performing the National Anthem of the Russian Federation, military personnel in formation take a formation stance without a command, and unit commanders from platoon and above, in addition, put their hand to their headgear.
Military personnel who are out of formation, when performing the National Anthem of the Russian Federation, take a drill stance, and when wearing a headdress, put their hand to it.
54. Command to execute military greeting Military units and subunits are not served:

when a military unit (unit) is raised on alert, on the march, as well as during tactical training and exercises;
at control points, communication centers and in places of combat duty (combat service);
at the firing line and firing (launching) position during firing (launching);
during classes and work in workshops, parks, hangars, laboratories, as well as when performing work for educational purposes;
during sports competitions and games;
when eating and after the “End Light” signal before the “Rise” signal;
in rooms for patients.

In the listed cases, the commander (chief) or senior only reports to the arriving commander. For example: "Comrade Major. The 1st motorized rifle company is performing the second shooting exercise. The company commander is Captain Ilyin."
Units participating in the funeral procession military salute do not comply.
55. At ceremonial meetings, conferences in a military unit, as well as at performances, concerts and cinema, the team for military greeting is not submitted and is not reported to the commander (chief).
On general meetings personnel for military greeting the command “ATRICLY” or “STAND AT ATTENTION” is given and reported to the commander (chief).
56. When a superior or senior addresses individual military personnel, they, with the exception of the sick, take a military stance and state their military position, military rank and surname. When shaking hands, the elder shakes hands first. If the elder is not wearing gloves, the younger one takes off the glove from his right hand before shaking hands. Military personnel without a headdress accompany the handshake with a slight tilt of the head.
57. On greetings superior or senior (“Hello, comrades”), all military personnel, in or out of formation, answer: “We wish you good health”; if the boss or senior says goodbye (“Goodbye, comrades”), then the military personnel answer: “Goodbye.” In this case, the word “comrade” and military rank are added without indicating the words “justice” or “medical service”. For example: “We wish you good health, Comrade Junior Sergeant,” “Goodbye, Comrade Chief Petty Officer,” “We wish you good health, Comrade Midshipman,” “Goodbye, Comrade Lieutenant.”
58. If a commander (chief), in the course of his service, congratulates or thanks a serviceman, then the soldier answers the commander (chief): “I serve the Russian Federation.”
If the commander (chief) congratulates the military personnel of a military unit (unit) who are in the ranks, they respond with a drawn-out triple “Hurray”, and if the commander (chief) thanks them, the military personnel respond: “We serve the Russian Federation.”

Military salute when ships meet

647. Military salute when ships meet at sea or in a roadstead during daylight hours, it is performed in the following order:
a) when meeting warships sailing under the State flag of the Russian Federation, the Naval flag or the flag of the Federal Border Service, the signals “Approach” and “Executive” are played on the ships.
The “Entry” signal is played at the moment when the ships’ stems are aligned, while the first “Entry” signal is played on a ship of the lowest rank or under the flag (braid pennant) of a junior (subordinate) commander. At this signal, everyone not engaged in service and located on the upper deck turns to face the passing ship and assumes the “Attention” position, and officers, midshipmen and foremen of the contract service, in addition, put their hand to their headgear.
The “Executive” signal is played first on a ship sailing under the flag (bread pennant) of the senior officer;
b) when meeting warships of the same ranks or sailing under the flags or braid pennants of equal officials, the “Entry” and “Executive” signals are played simultaneously on both ships;
c) when warships meet support vessels, the “Entry” signal is played first on the support vessels.
On ships without buglers, the “Entry” signal is replaced by one sound signal with a medium-length hand whistle, and the “Executive” signal with two short signals with a hand whistle.
648. The seniority of formation commanders is announced by order of the fleet (flotilla) commander, and the seniority of division commanders and ship commanders is announced by orders of formation commanders.
649. Military salute officials when meeting with them at sea or in a roadstead is carried out if they are on a ship (boat) under the flag assigned to them (braid pennant) and if the distance to the ship (boat) does not exceed 2 cables.
650. When a Navy ship meets ships of civil departments of the Russian Federation and non-military ships of foreign states, if these ships greet the warship by lowering the stern flag, i.e. salute the flag on command

When you go to battle, show your face!
This is the beginning of courage.
With your hand above your head
I'll raise my visor.

V. Medvedev, "Super-adventures of a super-cosmonaut"

You know, I had somehow never thought about this question before - where did this rather strange manner of modern military personnel of greeting each other, “taking the truce” come from? Not the most banal gesture, you will agree.

It would be nice to throw your arm up or hit yourself in the chest with your heel - somehow you can understand it. But to sharply raise your palm above the eyebrow level, almost touching the visor of your cap, and hold it there for some time? And consider this a military greeting? You can’t imagine something like this out of fear, you must agree. There must be some kind of backstory.

Note: I can’t stand the expression “salute” that was used in the Soviet army. You can’t give honor; who needs an officer or a soldier without honor, pray tell? Thank God that the modern Russian army uses the neutral term “military salute.” And in general:

IN different armies around the world they give the military salute in different ways. In Russian, a headdress is obligatory - “you don’t put your hand on an empty head.” In the US it is possible to use an empty one, which gives rise to irony...) But it doesn’t matter.

In general, the traditional Russian military greeting is like this.

Doesn't remind you of anything? Yes, this is... The same gesture with which a warrior in a closed helmet raises his visor! And then he holds it for some time, because if you don’t hold the visor, then it may fall. Not every helmet had latches for the visor in the open position.

When I dug up this information, I looked at my visored salad for a long time and felt like an idiot. I repeatedly repeated this gesture, lifting the face plate up, but it never occurred to me that this movement was historical background, which preceded the greeting “take the show”...

Moreover, when a modern officer, raising his hand to the visor of his cap, sharply “swipes” it down - this is again a greatly reduced gesture of lowering the visor so that it snaps into place! It seems almost obvious - however, it didn’t even occur to me to think in this direction...

Justify historically

Everything here is elementary. For knights of the late Middle Ages, raising the visor defiantly meant greeting the enemy before the tournament, while simultaneously proving that you are exactly who you say you are. For from the outside it is completely impossible to see who is sitting in this tin can, maybe Baron von Samogon himself, or maybe a figurehead. Some kind of impostor.

Therefore, before the fight, the knights raised their visors, only to lower them into place with a clang a second later and send their horses into a gallop.

Centuries have passed. There are no more knights and tournaments. But the gesture, which had become practically meaningless, was preserved and passed on even to those armies in which there were never knights at all...

Giving military honor. History of the origin of the ritual

Famous military theorist General M.I. Dragomirov stated: “Giving military honors is not a toy or amusement for someone’s curiosity, but an external expression of the fact that people belong to a great partnership, the purpose of which is to lay down one’s soul for one’s friend.”

The ritual has big story. Exists literary version Origin of this ritual:

Since in 1588, the pirate Drake, meeting the English Queen Elizabeth (known for her lack of beauty) on board a ship, pretended to be blinded by her beauty, and therefore was forced to shade his eyes with his palm, since then the military greeting has become a tradition.

There are other versions as well. When meeting, the warriors raised their hand not holding a weapon as a sign of greeting.

Later, when meeting, knights raised the visor of their helmet as a sign of acquaintance and greeting. So the movement is open right hand to the headdress when greeting later became a ritual of giving military honor.

The rules of veneration between military ranks were improved under each emperor and to mid-18th century centuries have settled.

All officers and all lower ranks, without exception, when meeting, had to greet each other by putting their right hand to the visor.

They saluted generals, members of the imperial family, officers of their regiment, banners, and standards. Military funeral processions were saluted by military personnel, standing at the front. The same honor was given to monuments.

During the imperial period, the military greeting was called saluting, as it included not only raising the hand to the headdress, but also various bows, curtsies and other elements, depending on the rank of those encountered or entering the room. Depending on the place of execution (in an open area or indoors), the implementation of the greeting also differed.

Giving military honor by a soldier (Cossack):

If a soldier meets with a commander who is supposed to salute, then he must, four steps before the commander, place his right hand on the right side of the lower edge of his cap or cap so that the fingers are together, the palm is slightly turned outward, and the elbow is at shoulder height; at the same time look at the boss and follow him with your eyes. When the boss passes him a step, then lower his hand;

When meeting with the boss, who is supposed to be saluted by standing in front, he, not reaching four steps to the boss, takes the last step and another full step with his foot, while taking it out, he should turn his shoulders and body in front and then, at the same time as placing his foot, raise right hand to the headdress, turning the head towards the boss's side. When saluting, you should stand according to the rules of the “stance”. When the boss passes him by a step, he turns in the direction he was going and begins to move with his left foot, lowering his right hand with the first step.

The lower ranks saluted, standing at the front:

To the Sovereign Emperor, Sovereign Empress and all Persons of the Imperial Family, all generals, admirals, the head of the garrison, their regimental, squadron and hundred commanders, their staff officers, as well as banners and standards.

Without standing in front, but placing only a hand on the headdress, they salute:

To all staff chief officers, military doctors, class officials of their regiment, reserve and retired generals, staff and chief officers (when they are in uniform); ensigns, estandard cadets and sub-warrants; palace grenadiers; to all sergeant majors, sergeants and those commanding lower ranks to whom they are subordinate. And privates, in addition, to all non-commissioned officers of their regiment, non-combatant senior rank, as well as to all privates who have the Insignia of the Military Order.

If the lower rank leads the horse by the reins, then to salute he goes to the side of the horse that is closer to the leader and takes both reins in the hand closest to the horse; and in his other hand he takes the ends of the reins and turns his head to the boss.

In the Guards Regiment, all officers had to say “YOU” to each other, regardless of the difference in rank and years. All officers of the Guards Cavalry traditionally greeted each other and, in addition, shook hands when they met, regardless of whether they knew each other or not.

From that time on, honor should also be given to officers of foreign armies.

Greetings. The armies of many states today are unimaginable without it. Naturally, the performance of a military salute is strictly regulated. It may also vary depending on the situation. We will deal with this particular military ritual in the article using the example of the Russian army.

What is this?

A military greeting is one of the embodiments of the comradely cohesion of military personnel of a certain state, evidence of their mutual respect for each other, a manifestation of good manners and politeness.

When overtaking or meeting, it is mandatory for military personnel to perform a military salute strictly according to the rules established by the Military Regulations of the Russian Armed Forces. At the same time, junior in rank and subordinates are the first to greet superiors and senior in rank. If military personnel are of equal ranks, then the most well-mannered one salutes first.

Tribute

For Russian military personnel, performing a military salute is mandatory to pay respect:

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Mass graves of military personnel who gave their lives for their homeland.
State flag of Russia.
The battle banner of your military unit. And also the Naval flag upon arrival/departure to the ship.
Funeral processions, which are accompanied by military units.

In service

When in formation, performing a military salute is mandatory for units and subunits in the following cases:

Greetings from the President of the Russian Federation.
Greetings from the marshals of the Russian Federation, army generals, colonel generals and admirals and admirals of the fleet.
Greetings from all direct superiors, as well as persons appointed to manage checks (inspections) of this military unit.
Greetings to persons who came to the military unit to present the Battle Banner and/or state awards.

How is the military salutation performed in the ranks in front of the indicated persons? The following algorithm is followed:

The senior-ranking soldier says the following: “Attention! Turn to the right (to the middle, to the left)!”
Next, he meets the above-mentioned persons and reports to them (for example): “Comrade Colonel General, the 50th Tank Regiment has been built for regimental general verification. The regimental commander is Colonel Ivanov.”

If a military unit is being built with the State Flag or Battle Banner (cadet review, parade, swearing-in), then the report must mention the full name of the military unit (military unit), as well as list the orders and honorary awards awarded to it.

On the move

Performing a military salute on the move is necessary when military units meet each other. It is also performed to pay tribute to:

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Mass graves of military personnel who gave their lives for the Fatherland.
State Russian flag.
The battle banner of your own military unit.
The naval flag on a ship during its lowering and ascent.
Funeral processions accompanied by military units.

In service in place

Now about performing a military greeting in the ranks on the spot. It is necessary in the following cases:

Greetings from the President of the Russian Federation.
Chairman's greeting Russian government.
Greetings from the Minister of Defense.

When performing a military salute on the spot, the orchestra performs the Russian State Anthem, as well as the composition “Counter March”.

If a military unit greets its direct superior, as well as persons sent to inspect this military unit, who have arrived to present a state award or combat knowledge, then the musicians play only the “Counter March”.

Out of formation

We continue to analyze the military greeting and the order of its implementation. When out of formation (for example, during assignments or in free time from this activity), military personnel greet their direct superiors with “Attention” or “Stand at attention.”

Only direct leadership, as well as persons appointed to inspect the unit, will be welcomed at headquarters.

At meetings and in training outside the formation, where only officers are present, “Comrade officers” is used to greet commanders.

“At attention”, “Comrade officers”, “Stand at attention” is said by the senior commander present or the military personnel who first saw the superior commander.

At this command, all those present must stand up and turn towards the arriving chief, commander.
The military personnel take a stance. If you have a headdress, raise your right hand to it.
The eldest of all those present must approach the commander and voice a report.
Having accepted the report, the commander (soldier-chief) gives one of two commands: “Comrade officers” or “At ease.”
The soldier who presented the report must repeat this command to everyone present.
Next, the military personnel accept the command “At ease.” The hand is removed from the headdress.
The military personnel then act on the command of the arriving commander.

Performance of the National Anthem

When playing the National Anthem, the following procedures are introduced:

Military personnel who are in the ranks must take a drill stance without a command. In this case, the commander from the platoon (and above) must also put his hand to the headgear.
If military personnel are out of formation, they must take a drill stance at the sound of the anthem. When wearing a headdress, you need to put your hand on it.

Special cases

Let us also consider special cases characteristic of the Russian army:

The command is not given

Performing a military salute in formation, on the move, or outside formation is not always carried out. There are several cases when it is not required:

When a military unit is alerted, on marches, during exercises and various tactical exercises.
At communication centers, control points, and in places of combat duty (or duty).
At the starting firing position, at the firing line during launches, as well as firing.
During flights at military airfields.
In continuation of work and classes in hangars, workshops, parks, laboratories. And also when performing similar work for educational purposes.
During games and sports.
When military personnel eat food.
After the “End” command and before the “Rise” command.
In rooms for patients.

Performing a military salute without weapons is not necessary here. In these cases, the following occurs: the senior soldier reports to the arriving superior. For example: “Comrade Major! The third motorized rifle unit is performing its first shooting exercise. Unit commander Petrov.”

If the unit is involved in a funeral procession, it also does not perform the greeting.

A military salute is a special ritual observed for important occasions. Has its own characteristics in different situations. There are cases when his work is not required.

Even those people who are very far from the army and military service and have nothing to do with it, is well known military greeting ritual. In the language of encyclopedias, a military salute is a greeting from military personnel or armed forces of different countries, established in accordance with governing documents.

The military salute is referred to as military rituals, traditions or military etiquette. Previously, the military salute was also called a salute, a salute, a salute, and it can also be designated by the word “trump.” At the same time, there are a sufficient number of hypotheses for the origin of this army ritual.

According to one version The military greeting came to us from the Middle Ages, being a knightly tradition. When meeting each other, the knights raised the visors of their helmets with a movement of their hands to show that their friend’s face was hidden under it (this version does not take into account the fact that all the knights had their own coats of arms on their shields, clothes, flags, this was enough to the friend managed to identify the friend).

According to another version By raising the visor of their helmet, they demonstrated their peaceful intention. This was done with the right hand to show that the knight was not yet ready to start the battle and did not have aggressive intentions. Such a gesture seemed to indicate that “there is no weapon in my right hand now.”

At the same time, the peoples who were deprived of heavily armed cavalry (Mongols, Indians who inhabited North America), the welcome salute consisted of a simple display of the open right hand. The most romantic version of the appearance of the military greeting is also attributed to the era of chivalry. With this gesture, a knight at a tournament would cover his eyes, protecting himself from the dazzling beauty beautiful lady heart, which watched his performance.

But, most likely, the military greeting in the form in which we know it today appeared in Great Britain. The version that such a greeting originated in the British Isles in the 18th century is documented by military regulations. In those years, in many armies of the world, junior military ranks, when greeting senior ranks, took off their hats or other headdress. This was the case in the UK, but over time, headgear, especially in elite units, became very bulky, so that the salute was reduced to the usual raising of the hand to the headgear and touching the visor.

The greeting known to us all first took shape in 1745 in the regiment of the Coldstream Guards - an elite unit of personal protection Queen of England. At the same time, the military’s equipment was constantly changing, and the gesture was slightly transformed.

Over time, even the very touch of the headdress with the hand disappeared. According to one version, replacing the removal of headdresses with simply raising your hand to them may be associated not only with heavy and bulky headdresses, but also with the widespread firearms. The first samples of small arms could hardly be called perfect. The soldiers' hands were almost always stained with soot, since they had to set fire to the oppressive muskets, and their hands also got dirty when reloading small arms. Thus, dirty hands covered in soot could cause damage to the headdress when trying to remove it for greeting.

Military salute in Great Britain

At the same time, in the military greeting of any army in the world, they do not lower their eyes or bow their heads, which speaks of mutual honor, regardless of ranks, ranks or ranks. There is also no question of which hand is used to salute in the army. Always right. At the same time, the hand gesture itself and the turn of the palm may differ slightly in different countries peace.

For example, starting from the 19th century, in the British Army, the hand raised to the right eyebrow was facing outward with the palm. This greeting has been preserved in the army and air force, at the same time in the royal navy since the days of sailing ships, when the hands of sailors were stained with tar and tar, and showing dirty palms was undignified; during a military salute, the palm was turned down. Exactly the same greeting was accepted in France.

In the American army, the greeting could have been taken from the English navy. At the same time, in the USA, during a military salute, the palm is turned down, and the hand, which is moved slightly forward, seems to shield the eyes from the sun. In the Italian army, the palm is placed above the visor in front.

For many, it may be a revelation that in the German army during the Second World War, soldiers and officers did not “zig” right and left, as can often be seen in feature films. Throughout almost the entire war, Wehrmacht units adopted a standard military salute with the right hand raised to the head, which was prescribed in the regulations. The introduction of the party or Nazi salute in the Wehrmacht occurred only on July 24, 1944, immediately after the unsuccessful assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler, which was organized by officers.

IN Russian Empire Until 1856, the military salute was not performed with the entire palm, but only with the index and middle fingers. To this day, this greeting has been preserved in the Polish armed forces. Since 1856, after the end of the Crimean War, in the army Tsarist Russia and then Soviet Army And in the modern Russian army, the military salute is given with the entire palm. Middle finger at the same time he looks at his temple, lightly touching the visor of his uniform cap. This, by the way, is where the synonyms for giving military honor or a military salute arose - to take the salute, to salute, etc.

Currently, the rules of military salutation in the Russian Federation are also mandatory for persons who have already been discharged from military service when they wear military uniforms. In the Russian Armed Forces, the military salute is performed with the fingers of the right hand closed and the hand straightened. Unlike the armies of some other states, with the head uncovered, the military salute in the Russian army is performed without raising a hand by means of the serviceman taking the line position.

Military salute in Poland

When moving in formation, the military greeting is carried out as follows: the guide puts his hand to the headdress, and the formation presses his hands at the seams. All together they take a marching step and turn their heads as they pass by the commanding officers they meet. When passing towards units or other military personnel, it is enough for the guide to perform the military salute.

At the same time, in the Russian army, when meeting, a junior in rank is obliged to greet the senior in rank first, and a senior in rank may perceive failure to perform a military greeting during a meeting as an insult. If the serviceman is not wearing a headdress, the greeting is performed by turning the head and assuming a combat position (body straightened, arms at sides).

But not in all countries the military salute to senior ranks is the duty of a serviceman. For example, in modern units of the Israel Defense Forces, the procedure of saluting upon seeing a senior in rank is mandatory only during the course of a young soldier. In all other cases, the military salute is not an obligation, but is the right of the serviceman. In parallel with this, prisoners of Israeli military prisons (analogous to the domestic guardhouse) this right completely deprived.

Military salute in Russia

In all countries, the military salute is given exclusively with the right hand. The question of which country salutes with the left hand usually arises when high-ranking government officials, due to inexperience or oversight, violate the rules of military salutation, which are either an unshakable tradition or enshrined in regulations. A serious difference in a military salutation is not what hand is used to salute, but only the presence or, conversely, the absence of a headdress on the soldier during this military ritual.

The well-known expression today “you don’t put your hand to an empty head” in Russia is usually remembered in the same context with the tradition of military greetings in the United States. In the American army, it is not mandatory for a soldier to wear a headdress when raising his hand to his head. Historians justify this difference as follows. During civil war North and South (1861-1865) the northerners won. History, as we know, is written by the winners, who form certain traditions. Unlike the Southern army, the Union army that won the war was composed primarily of volunteers. Many of these volunteers, especially early in the war, wore civilian clothing. From this we can conclude that the rank and file of the northern army sometimes had no headdresses at all - hence the tradition of military greetings, regardless of whether the soldier had a headdress on or not.

Military salute in the USA

At the same time, the military greeting, which looks natural in peacetime, fades into the background or even further during hostilities. In many conflicts of the 20th century, statutory conventions and military chain of command posed a threat to the lives of senior officers. IN popular culture this is well reflected in American films Saving Private Ryan and Forrest Gump, both of which feature episodes where soldiers are reprimanded by their more experienced comrades for giving the salute to their commanders. During combat, this helps enemy shooters and snipers determine their priority target.