Salute: how, when
War Department training chart on saluting: a large illustrated soldier saluting, eight drawn panels of rifle and hand salutes and occasions to salute, and a list of when one does not salute. It closes with 'the Salute WILL be rendered' in cases of doubt. This is drill instruction; no persuasive technique is strong here.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1944
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- U.S. War Department, Graphic Training Aid 21-5
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- Military
- Regime
- Roosevelt Administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Audience
- Own forces
- Purpose
- Mobilize or secure compliance
- Theme
- War and the military
- Event
- World War II
- Regime
- Roosevelt administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 44, World War II Posters, retrieved October 4, 2026
- Rights
- Public domain (U.S. government work)
U.S. War Department. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 44, 44-PA-1664 (NAID 515332).
Text on the object
Salute how when Rifle Salute AT ORDER ARMS . . . CARRY THE LEFT HAND SMARTLY TO THE RIGHT SIDE, PALM OF THE HAND DOWN, THUMB AND FINGERS EXTENDED AND JOINED, FOREARM AND WRIST STRAIGHT, FIRST JOINT OF FOREFINGER BETWEEN THE STACKING SWIVEL AND THE MUZZLE AS NEARLY AS THE CONFORMATION OF THE MAN PERMITS, AND LOOK TOWARD THE PERSON SALUTED . . . Rifle Salute AT RIGHT SHOULDER ARMS . . . CARRY THE LEFT HAND SMARTLY TO THE SMALL OF THE STOCK, FOREARM HORIZONTAL, PALM OF THE HAND DOWN, THUMB AND FINGERS EXTENDED AND JOINED, FIRST JOINT OF THE FOREFINGER TOUCHING THE REAR END OF THE RECEIVER; LOOK TOWARD THE PERSON SALUTED . . . Hand Salute . . . RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND SMARTLY UNTIL THE TIP OF YOUR INDEX FINGER TOUCHES THE BRIM OF YOUR HEAD DRESS, ABOVE AND SLIGHTLY TO RIGHT OF YOUR RIGHT EYE, THUMB AND FINGERS EXTENDED AND JOINED, PALM TO THE LEFT, UPPER ARM INCLINED AT 45°, HAND AND WRIST STRAIGHT: AT THE SAME TIME TURN THE HEAD AND EYES TOWARD THE PERSON SALUTED . . . Present Arms . . . WITH THE RIGHT HAND CARRY THE RIFLE IN FRONT OF THE CENTER OF THE BODY, BARREL TO THE REAR AND VERTICAL, GRASP IT WITH THE LEFT HAND AT THE BALANCE, FOREARM HORIZONTAL AND RESTING AGAINST THE BODY. GRASP THE SMALL OF THE STOCK WITH THE RIGHT HAND . . . ALL PERSONS IN THE MILITARY SERVICE WILL SALUTE WHEN THEY MEET AND RECOGNIZE PERSONS ENTITLED TO THE SALUTE . . . PERSONS ENTITLED TO THE SALUTE ARE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS (BOTH MALE AND FEMALE) OF THE ARMY, NAVY, MARINE CORPS, COAST GUARD, WARRANT OFFICERS AND FLIGHT OFFICERS; AND COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF ALLIED NATIONS IN TIME OF WAR. WHEN REPORTING . . . AT RETREAT . . . COLORS PASSING BY . . . SENTINEL ON POST PRESENTS ARMS . . . INDIVIDUAL IN CHARGE OF DETAIL SALUTES FOR THE DETAIL OCCUPANTS OF PASSENGER VEHICLES DISMOUNT AND SALUTE . . . RECOGNIZING AN OFFICER One Does Not Salute When . . . INDOORS, EXCEPT WHEN REPORTING TO A SENIOR. CARRYING ARTICLES WITH BOTH HANDS OR OTHERWISE SO OCCUPIED AS TO MAKE SALUTING IMPRACTICABLE. DRIVING A VEHICLE IN MOTION. IN A PUBLIC CONVEYANCE. A MEMBER OF A GUARD, ENGAGED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF A SPECIFIC DUTY, THE PROPER EXECUTION OF WHICH PREVENTS SALUTING. IN RANKS. UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, THE ENLISTED MAN COMES TO ATTENTION WHEN ADDRESSED BY AN OFFICER. THE RENDITION OF THE SALUTE IS OBVIOUSLY INAPPROPRIATE. ACTIVELY ENGAGED AT WORK. In any case not covered by instructions, or when there is a reasonable doubt, the Salute WILL be rendered. Approved War Department Graphic Training Aid 21-5 SALUTING (Ref. FM 21-50) WAR DEPARTMENT · 26 APRIL 1944 Reproduction without permission prohibited [imprint:] U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1944-O-[illegible] [signature:] [illegible pencil mark at lower left, possibly "Training Army"]
