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121 sats \ 5 replies \ @carlosfandango 8 Mar \ parent \ on: Why do the British salute differently to the Americans? (2019) history
It’s an odd one in this context in that it justifies you having to do something you don’t consider the recipient worthy of.
In the UK you salute the officer in recognition of them holding the Kings Commission (the bit of paper that says you are an officer) and because you swore to obey the Sovereign and the officers they place over you (and that’s why you salute the senior officer present rather than all the officers.) Politicians and retired officers either do not hold a Commission or have resigned their Commission meaning no salute for them! (Unlike the US)
Yes. Saluting politicians is something I always thought was odd about the US.
But telling myself I was saluting the Queen (at the time) and not the knobhead with an entitlement issue, it definitely helped soften the blow of having to display that mark of respect to someone entirely unworthy of it.
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Maybe because their politicians (and President) are an embodiment of the flag and Constitution.
Completely failed to mention that UK soldiers salute flags, artillery pieces, pennants and members of the Royal Family. I think we should keep that to ourselves - makes UK soldiers look a bit daft without context.
Saluting the Duke of Paedo would make me sick..
And when I commissioned I was pretty chilled as I knew all the blokes and wasn’t in ‘one of those’ regiments :)
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Hadn't considered that their politicians especially the president represents the same thing our monarch does. Makes more sense now.
But yeah, we do salute some odd things.
Didn't Andrew have his titles removed eventually? I'd not want to strike up a salute for him either...
I knew a few very good officers, most of whom had been squaddies first and then went onto get a commission, they understood the assignment much better than some of the (not all) young kids who came through Sandhurst. I remember my OC wad a fresh faced lad straight outta Sandhurst but what he did was latch onto my staffy and followed him everywhere learning everything. He always said, they taught me how to lead at Sandhurst but they didn't teach me what leadership was. Huge statement for me. Difference between directing and leading for sure. He was great, hed spend every spare moment on the ground with us learning our trades so he had an appreciation for our skills. Excellent guy.
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- Excellent guy.
You appreciate and respect that officers efforts. That’s a huge difference.
Duke of Nonce lost his status before the Queen died and before DofE. So he didn’t get to wear his uniform or salute at the Vigil or his funeral. Hasn’t been seen much since.
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Yeah, for sure, for me it made a difference. And from what I could tell for others it helped as well.
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