<P> In both countries, the right - hand salute is generally identical to, and drawn from the traditions of, the British armed forces . The salute of the Australian or New Zealand Army is best described as the right arm taking the path of the longest way up and then the shortest way down . Similar in many ways, the salute of the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force takes the longest way up and the shortest way down . The Royal Australian Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy, however, take the shortest way up, palm down, and the shortest way down . The action of the arm rotating up is slower than the action of the conclusion of the salute which is the arm being quickly "snapped" down to the saluter's side . Junior members are required to salute first and the senior member is obliged to return the compliment . Protocol dictates that the Monarch, members of the Royal Family, the Governor - General and State Governors are to be saluted at all times by all ranks . Except where a Drill Manual (or parade) protocol dictates otherwise, the duration of the salute is timed at three beats of the quick - time march (approximately 1.5 seconds), timed from the moment the senior member first returns it . In situations where cover (or "headdress", as it is called in the Australian Army) is not being worn, the salute is given verbally; the junior party (or at least the senior member thereof) will first come to attention, then offer the salute "Good morning / afternoon Your Majesty / Your Royal Highness / Prime Minister / Your Grace / Sir / Ma'am", etc., as the case may be . It is this, rather than the act of standing to attention, which indicates that a salute is being offered . If either party consists of two or more members, all will come to attention, but only the most senior member of the party will offer (or return) the physical or verbal salute . The party which is wearing headdress must always offer, or respond with, a full salute . At the Forward Edge of the Battle Area (FEBA) no salutes of any kind are given, under any circumstances; it is always sensible to assume that there are snipers in the area . In this case, parties personally known to each other are addressed familiarly by their first or given names, regardless of rank; senior officers are addressed as one might address a stranger, courteously, but without any naming or mark of respect . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (November 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (November 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> Since 1917, the British Army's salute has been given with the right hand palm facing forwards with the fingers almost touching the cap or beret . Before 1917, for Other Ranks (i.e. not officers) the salute was given with whichever hand was furthest from the person being saluted, whether that was the right or the left . Officers always saluted with the right hand (as the left, in theory, would always be required to hold the scabbard of their sword) The salute is given to acknowledge the Queen's commission . A salute may not be given unless a soldier is wearing his regimental headdress, for example a Beret, Caubeen, Tam o' Shanter, Glengarry, field service cap or peaked cap . This does not apply to members of The Blues and Royals (RHG / 1stD) The Household Cavalry who, after The Battle of Warburg were allowed to salute without headdress . If a soldier or officer is not wearing headdress then he or she must come to attention instead of giving / returning the salute . The subordinate salutes first and maintains the salute until the superior has responded in kind . </P>

Why do the british salute with an open palm