<P> Despite of the rank, casket of a martyr personnel while in transport or on stand has to be saluted by all ranks of personnel . </P> <P> Within United States' military, the salute is a courteous exchange of greetings, with the junior member always saluting first . When returning or rendering an individual salute, the head and eyes are turned toward the Colors or person saluted . Military personnel in uniform are required to salute when they meet and recognize persons entitled to a salute, except when it is inappropriate or impractical (in public conveyances such as planes and buses, in public places such as inside theaters, or when driving a vehicle). </P> <P> It is believed that the U.S. military's salute was influenced by British military, although differs slightly, in that the palm of the hand faces down towards the shoulder . This difference may date back to the days of sailing ships, when tar and pitch were used to seal the timber from seawater . During such times, it was considered undignified to present a dirty palm in the salute, so the hand was turned through 90 degrees . </P> <P> Specifically, a proper salute goes as follows: Raise the right hand sharply, fingers and thumb extended and joined, palm facing down, and place the tip of the right forefinger on the rim of the visor, slightly to the right of the eye . The outer edge of the hand is barely canted downward so that neither the back of the hand nor the palm is clearly visible from the front . The hand and wrist are straight, the elbow inclined slightly forward, and the upper arm is horizontal . </P>

When did the us military change their salute