Where have salutes gone? Commentary by Capt. Joseph Coslett 3rd Wing Public Affairs 5/26/2011 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (AFNS) -- During an Airman Leadership School graduation at a previous assignment, a Navy senior chief gave a motivating speech to challenge the leaders of tomorrow. This was quickly followed by the introduction of the "dead fish." The installation commander gave the Levitow Award and other academic and professional awards for excellence, but the comments following the ceremony were about the commander's dead fish salute. The question I had the pleasure of answering was, "How come a colonel does not know how to salute properly?" The event opened my eyes to seeing many officers and enlisted alike avoiding salutes or giving unprofessional versions. I've seen the dead fish salute, the "Hey, how you doing?" salute, the quick tap, the half salute, the leaning salute and others. Maybe this is because I went through two different basic trainings, basic military training and officer training school, at which I learned how to salute. If I did not salute properly, I was immediately corrected. Last time I checked, our last core value is "excellence in all we do." This means we should always strive to look professional and have on our game face. As an important custom and courtesy, the salute deserves no less attention, especially at the higher ranks. In another case, I recently had the pleasure of experiencing an officer, who was leaning on a truck, actually salute me from a slouching position. He showed me the ever-so-popular "Hey, how you doing?" salute, which starts at about the shoulder and ends in a "hi" gesture. He never returned the mutual respect -- saluting should be automatic, not an afterthought. The history of the salute varies, but one story dates back to the days of the kings and knights when it was customary for knights dressed in armor to raise their visors to friends for the purpose of identification. Another version states that British navy junior officers would uncover when addressing a senior. Gradually over time, the removal of the cap evolved into merely touching the cap, or if uncovered, the head, and finally into the salute. Saluting is one of the oldest military traditions. It is a courtesy exchanged between service members when greeting and a symbol of mutual respect. The salute steps are simple and if performed correctly look professional. - Extend and join the thumb and fingers - Raise the right hand smartly until the tip of the forefinger touches the lower part of the headgear or forehead above and slightly to the right of the eye - Turn the palm slightly inward until the person saluting can just see its surface from the corner of the right eye - The upper arm is parallel to the ground; the elbow is slightly in front of the body - Incline the forearm at a 45 degree angle; hand and wrist are in a straight line - Complete the salute after it is returned by dropping the arm to its normal position in one sharp, clean motion. I challenge you to not let complacency set in, and to salute properly. It only takes seconds out of your day, but it is a representation of who you are. Are your people worth it? Are your fellow professionals worth it? Think about when our heroes pay the ultimate sacrifice and our outstanding honor guards render the proper salute to the member and the flag. You work with heroes every day. Are they worth it? Are they worth your time? (For more guidance on rendering salutes, see Air Force Instruction 34-1201, Chapter 8.1.)