<P> The United States Army and United States Air Force give salutes both covered and uncovered, but saluting indoors is forbidden except when formally reporting to a superior officer or during an indoor ceremony . It should be noted that when outdoors, a cover is to be worn at all times when wearing Battle Dress Uniforms / Army Combat Uniforms, but is not required when wearing physical training (PT) gear . </P> <P> When the presence of enemy snipers is suspected, military salutes are generally forbidden, since the enemy may use them to recognize officers as valuable targets . </P> <P> Some soldiers may salute with the left hand when the right hand is encumbered in some way (though it is rare), for example, a soldier with a rifle at Right Shoulder Arms; if movement of a weapon would be encumbered when making the armed salute; if the performance of duty requires the right hand for use or operation of equipment such as riding a motorcycle; if it is not possible to use the hand due to injury or amputation; when escorting a woman and it is not possible to walk on her right side . </P> <P> According to some modern military manuals, the modern Western salute originated in France when knights greeted each other to show friendly intentions by raising their visors to show their faces, using a salute . Others also note that the raising of one's visor was a way to identify oneself saying "This is who I am, and I am not afraid ." Medieval visors were, to this end, equipped with a protruding spike that allowed the visor to be raised using a saluting motion . </P>

When do you salute with your left hand