Why Do Army, Air Force, and Navy Personnel Salute Differently?

Have you ever noticed the different ways in which personnel from the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy salute? Each branch of the armed forces has its unique salute style, and today we’ll explore the reasons behind these distinct practices.  Why do Army, Air Force, and Navy personnel salute differently? The differences in saluting among Army, Air Force, and Navy personnel stem from their unique traditions, customs, and operational needs. Here are some key points explaining these differences. Let’s dive into this intriguing aspect of military tradition.

Why Do Army, Air Force, and Navy Personnel Salute Differently?

Despite the differences between the Army, Air Force and Navy salutes, the main purpose of saluting across all branches is to show respect, acknowledge authority and maintain military courtesy. While each branch has its own variations, all services follow Department of Defense guidelines regarding saluting, ensuring a level of uniformity across the armed forces. These distinctions highlight the rich history and unique identity of each military branch, as well as promote respect and recognition among service members. Here are point wise differences :-

Indian Army

When Indian Army soldiers salute, they join their fingers and thumbs together, making their hand appear in the shape of an open hand. In this salute, the middle finger almost touches the hatband or brow. The purpose of saluting in this particular way is to show discipline and mutual trust. This salute symbolizes that the soldier has no weapon in his hand, which makes his honesty and responsibility clear.

Indian Navy

When Indian Navy personnel salute, they place their palms facing downwards, with their palms turned at a 90° angle, in front of their foreheads. This particular way of saluting dates back to the old days when ship crew members often worked in grease, oil, and dirt. To maintain the respect of their seniors, they started saluting with their dirty palms facing the ground. This is why this way of saluting continues even today.

Indian Air force

When Indian Air Force personnel salute, they keep their right hand open at an angle of 45°, which is slightly above the ground. This salute is done to show advancement towards the sky. The Indian Air Force issued new saluting instructions for its personnel in 2006, which was aimed at being in line with their slogan ‘Touch the Sky with Pride’. You will be surprised to know that earlier the salute of the Indian Air Force was similar to the salute of the Indian Army, but in 2006 it was changed and redesigned.