Central Government Departments

Indian Navy : Salutes

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Every society develops courtesies and marks of respect paid by juniors and subordinates to their seniors and superiors. In Indian villages, young men greet their elders with the traditional Ram Ram, Namaste, Aaduab or As-salaam Alaikum. The custom of touching the feet of elders and respected persons is still common and visitors are customarily accorded a warm welcome.

Similarly, the Armed Forces have their own customs and traditions on marks of respect. These customs have evolved over the centuries and are peculiar to the Services. Further, each Service has its own special customs and traditions.

Saluting and the paying of compliments may be said to proceed from the exercise of good manners. Nothing gives a better indication of the discipline of an individual or a unit than the prompt and smart execution of a salute—perhaps the most elementary form of military courtesy and display of respect for a superior. The point to be noted is that it is not the individual who is being saluted; it is the uniform and the rank of the superior which is being accorded this courtesy.

There are many theories regarding the origin of salutes. According to one, salutes and salutations were marks of submission. Hats and caps were taken off because the conquered took off their helmets; people bowed because the vanquished were expected to bend before the conqueror; and gun salutes were fired so that the ship would remain without the means of defence. Another theory holds that all salutes originated from the idea of displaying peaceful intentions —by showing the palm of an empty hand, placing the sword in a position where it could not easily be used, or emptying out the guns. A warrior or a freeman demonstrated his freedom by looking the other directly in the eye: a privilege denied to slaves who were expected to cast their eyes to the ground on the approach of freemen. This is perhaps the origin of the custom that the person being saluted must be looked directly in the eye.

It is generally agreed that the Hand salute is the first part of the movement of uncovering the head by removing headgear or throwing back the visor. Queen Victoria is said to have decreed that the salute be restricted to this movement only, because of her displeasure at seeing officers and men uncovered when they appeared for a Royal Commendation. It is also probable that the Army and Air Force salute with the palm facing outward to indicate that it is empty. However, the naval salute has the palm facing inwards. The accepted explanation for this is that since a sailor’s hands are invariably dirty and calloused from work, keeping the palm hidden is more appropriate. Salutes are always rendered using the right hand, but in case of physical disability, the left hand may be used. In fact, prior to 1918, salutes were exchanged using the outer hand in order to avoid the clashing of elbows.

On the upper decks of a ship, a junior salutes his superior officer on first meeting in the morning, when spoken to, and on withdrawing after a conversation or receiving orders. Salutes are not exchanged in public places or below decks, where the senior is to be wished instead. Unlike the Army and Air Force, naval personnel are permitted to salute in civilian clothes or when their head is uncovered, particularly in response to a salute from another.

When reporting to a senior officer in a room or cabin, it is customary to knock, enter when granted permission, and wish the superior. Headgear is normally tucked in under the left arm or left hanging on a rack outside before entering the room.

Salutes in open spaces are normally exchanged when the person being honoured is near enough to recognise that he is being saluted and has enough time to respond. When two or more officers are walking together, only the senior most officer acknowledges the salute. If all officers are of the same seniority, the officer on the concerned flank acknowledges the salute. However, a junior officer may acknowledge if the senior has not noticed the compliment and there is inadequate time to draw his attention to it.

When two officers of different Services are together, only the senior acknowledges the salute. However, if they are of the same or equivalent rank, irrespective of seniority, the officer belonging to the senior Service is to acknowledge. The sequence of seniority of the Services is: Army, Navy and Air Force.

When officers of different ranks are together and are passed or joined by another who is senior to them, all officers of the group salute. If the officer passing or joining is junior to any of the officers of the group, he salutes his superiors, but does not receive a salute from other officers in the group who may be junior to him.

All passengers in vehicles are expected to salute their superiors except when traveling in a public transport. However, the rider of a cycle or the driver of a vehicle is exempted from saluting due to the danger from taking his eyes off the road.

i. Salute with Weapons
ii. Piping the Side
iii. Saluting On Board
iv. Other Salutes
v. Man and Cheer Ship
vi. Funeral Honours

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