History Main / MilitarySalute

* DickClark regularly did this as part of his SigningOffCatchPhrase, "For now, Dick Clark... so long." He gave the salute just before saying the "so long" bit.

* ''Series/{{NCIS}}'': In the Season 2 episode "Call of Silence", Lieutenant Commander Faith Coleman brings along two burly Marines to take a World War II veteran into custody. Tony derails the attempt by flashing the veterna's Medal of Honor, forcing Coleman and the Marines to snap to attention and render a salute.

* In ''The Short-Timers'' (a UsefulNotes/VietnamWar novel by Gustav Hasford) the protagonist, GenreSavvy [[DeadpanSnarker private Joker]], sometimes salutes in a combat zone with some [[RevengeByProxy ulterior motives]].

* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater'' and ''[[MetalGearSolid4 4]]'' has the [[ManlyTears Teary-Eyed Salute version]] in front of [[spoiler:The Boss's grave.]]

* Being a SpaceNavy series, Anime/IrresponsibleCaptainTylor naturally has its fair share of salutes. Lt. Yamamoto is prone to the teary-eyed variety in certain cases, while episode 23 manages to make a mutual salute from opposing captains ''epic''. And then there's the ending of the final OVA, where everybody in ''both'' fleets salute the ''Soyokaze'' [[spoiler: as it's scuttled]].

** In the finale, [[spoiler:BJ and Hawkeye give Col. Potter formal full salute with full attention as their final gesture to him before they depart their separate ways.]]

Salutes are usually rendered by an officer (of equal or lesser rank than the salutee) or enlisted soldier to an officer of equal or higher rank. The officer, while not necessarily obligated to return the salute, almost universally does. Not returning the salute is a serious show of disrespect and condescension, which reflects poorly on the salutee. This also has another interesting effect: initiating a salute towards an officer of lesser rank or an enlisted soldier, while not considered insulting (generally), is considered weird and out of place. In the United States armed forces and the armed forces of those countries which award the Victoria Cross, there is one exception to this rule: if you are a recipient of the Medal Of Honor or the Victoria Cross, you WILL be saluted by any member of the armed forces, regardless of rank. So yes, this means that [[BadAss badassery]] is worthy of saluting.

* In ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'' everyone salutes American-style, despite the story taking place in England. The Wild Geese could be justified by the fact that they're mercenaries, who could have learned to salute some place where they do it that way. Seras and Integra (As shown in the 2nd OVA credits) have no such excuse.

* In ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'', Luke Skywalker [[http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/File:Thoseabouttojediwesaluteyou.JPG tosses off an ironic salute]] while on Jabba's sail barge. Note the file name: "[[Film/{{Spartacus}} Those about to jedi we salute you]]."

* ''TheDickVanDykeShow'': During a FlashBack, when Rob was in the army, he was summoned to his commanding officer's office and saluted. The officer scratched his head and Rob thought it was the officer responding to his salute so he dropped his, which ticked off the CO, who hadn't saluted back. Then at the end of the meeting Rob saluted and the CO just said "dismissed" without looking up, so Rob had to leave still saluting. We then saw him out the office window, still saluting.

There are also situations in which saluting is NOT recommended. When in the field or in a forward operation base, soldiers are instructed not to salute, since it identifies the officer/VIP, which can [[BoomHeadshot provide a sniper with an easy target.]] Some military forces also dictate that salutes should only be used while wearing headgear and doing so while bare-headed is at least improper protocol.

* In ''The Short-Timers'' (a {{Vietnam War}} era novel by Gustav Hasford) the protagonist, {{Genre Savvy}} [[DeadpanSnarker private Joker]], sometimes salutes in a combat zone with some [[RevengeByProxy ulterior motives]].
-->''"Corporal, don't you know how to execute a hand salute?" "Yes, sir." I salute. I hold the salute until the [[ArmchairMilitary poge]] colonel snaps his hand to his starched barracks cover and I hold the salute for an extra couple of second before cutting it away sharply. Now he poge colonel has been identified as an officer to any enemy snipers in the area."'' [...]
-->''"As is my custom, I salute [[SociopathicSoldier Animal Mother]] so that any snipers in the area will assume that he is an officer and shoot him instead of me."''

* In ''Series/{{Mash}}'', Hawkeye, Trapper John, and BJ tend to mockingly salute Frank Burns. Played For Laughs most of the time.

* [[Series/RedDwarf A.J. Rimmer]] and his ridiculously [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al5bErqFrDQ overextended salutes]]. The fact he's apparently completely serious just makes the whole thing funnier.

* Used often in ''Series/DoctorWho'' between the Doctor and Jack, although at the time neither were part of military organisations. (The Doctor is/was a UNIT employee but hates their constant saluting, and Jack has served in both World War 1 and 2. [[TimeTravel More than once.]]) Usually, it shows the respect between the two characters. The final salute given between them shows Jack's thanks, and Ten's final goodbye.

* '''Saluting with your left hand''' can be acceptable when there is something understandable preventing you from using your right. Having an object in your hand is usually not considered a good reason; having an injury to your right arm or ''missing the hand or arm entirely'' is.

* ''StrikeWitches'' actually pay close attention to details on salutes. Major Miles, who is British, actually salutes in British style of palm facing forward. On the other hand, Fuso (Japan) Navy personnel salute with their elbow tucked in and palm facing slightly inwards. Also, hat/no-hat rules apply depending on rules of their serving forces.

In the English speaking world, which here means the US and the commonwealth there are two types of salutes. The first, with palm facing outwards, is the "British military salute." This is used by the armies and air forces of most Commonwealth countries. Its origins are with the British Army. The other which is palm downwards, originating with the Royal Navy is the British "Naval" salute. This is used by the Naval forces of the Commonwealth and the US Armed Forces. This is often in popular parlance seen as an American salute, even in the commonwealth. There has been examples of nitpickers and scolds attacking works (or real life) where British or Australians are depicted as saluting palm downwards as an example of EaglelandOsmosis.

* JohnCena often salutes on his way to the ring, supposedly as a show of support to the troops. Somebody should tell him that most of the time, [[ArtisticLicenseMilitary he's not doing it properly.]]

* Both ''ThePhilSilversShow'' and its movie version, ''Sergeant Bilko'', had the eponymous character using the salute in comedic ways.

* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'' after you defeat Captain Keeta, the giant skeletal officer of Ikana, he asks to be dismissed from duty. [[SilentProtaganist Link]] does so by giving a single salute, after which Keeta dissolves into the earth. Interestingly enough, Link was given a saluting animation for each of his different forms, even though this is the only place in the game it's used.