While the coin may be just one dollar in denomination, it represents a value far greater. This relationship is thought to be the basis for this tradition.īy tradition, a dollar coin is the only coin given in exchange for the first salute. While the adviser's pay was eventually discontinued, the responsibility for mentoring the newly commissioned officer continued. Lieutenants compensated their enlisted adviser with a small amount of money.Īmerican Second Lieutenants in the early 1800's, received about $25 monthly as base pay, a rations allowance of about $3, and an additional allowance of $1 for their enlisted adviser. New officers were assigned an enlisted adviser who showed them the ropes, taught them the regimental history as well as the ins and outs of the military profession.
As the story goes, some of their traditions and customs were passed on to newly formed American units. Of course at the time it would not have been a "dollar" as we know it. While no one knows for sure where this tradition originated, some suggest that it was passed on from British regiments garrisoned in the US during the colonial era.
Originating in customs, traditions, and even superstitions from our distant past, the salute has evolved from ancient times to become an important part of military etiquette.The first salute is a old tradition for all US Service Branches in which newly commissioned officers give a silver dollar to the person from whom they receive the very first salute of their career. The various forms of military hand and gun salutes are administered by an individual or group as a sign of respect. As in ancient times, it was believed that the hearts of the recently deceased were ajar at such times, allowing the devil to enter! Today, the homage and respect displayed at military funerals is a visible final tribute to those individuals who have served their country. This custom may well have originated in a perceived need to scare away evil spirits "escaping" from the dead. Originally, three rifle volleys were fired into the air over the grave of a fallen soldier. "Eyes Right" is another type of military salute which is rendered by troops in rank when passing in review.Ī unique type of salute is the respect that is rendered over a grave by a military honor guard.
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. That practice gradually evolved over time into merely touching the cap, and became the present salute. There is general agreement among scholars that the hand salute is actually the first part of "uncovering" in front of a senior. It seems reasonable to assume, however, that the hand salute as now rendered in the military, evolved to some degree from the British navy. It became the custom in such times for potential adversaries to approach each other with raised hand, palm to the front, showing that there was no concealed weapon. Because of strict adherence to rank, the junior was required to make the first gesture.Īnother possibility concerning the origins of saluting comes from an age when assassinations by dagger were not uncommon. In the medieval days of chivalry, mounted knights in mail raised their visors to friends for the purpose of identification. The origins of saluting, like so many military customs and traditions, is shrouded in the past, but there are several possibilities concerning its beginnings. By saluting first, no officer implies that he is in any sense inferior to the senior whom he salutes. Accordingly, the salute is a uniform gesture meaning that the highest man in rank returns the salute in the same form in which it is rendered to him. It is a gesture of respect and sign of comradeship among military service personnel. A unique aspect of military courtesy is the salute.