The First Salute

Well I'm back from a quick trip over a 4-day weekend to Utah to see my cousin Orson (we call him Sam) and his wife Lisa graduate from BYU. Sam was in the Air Force ROTC and the cadets were first in line to get there degrees and a handshake from the Dean.



Sam and Lisa are 4th & 5th from the right in the first row way, way down there...



Sam getting his handshake from the dean... sorry Lisa I got your picture just as you were walking away from the dean.



Upon graduating the cadets are commissioned as 2nd lieutenants in the United States Air Force. Sam's older brother Paul, as a Major in the Air Force, was able to perform the ceremony for Sam's commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. Paul spoke of the special friends Sam & Lisa will make as they are stationed from post to post, the things they will do that many of us will never experience as well as the solemn occasion and respect we should show towards those people that join the military to defend our nation during times of war.



After the smaller ceremony with just family and friends witnessing Sam's commission we went and saw the rest of the cadets and Sam get sworn into the Air Force and then get their 2nd lieutenants' bars pinned to their uniform. Marilyn (Sam's mother) & Lisa pinned Sam with the very same 2nd lieutenant bars Paul wore when he went into the Air Force. When Sam moves up in rank he will wear the 1st lieutenant and captain's bars that his father Orson wore during his time in the Air Force. As a newly commissioned 2nd lieutenant in the United States Air Force Sam is entitled to be saluted. There is a special tradition for the First Salute of a newly commissioned officer.

The following in what I found on the Something About Everything Military website:

The First Salute

By saluting first, the person is demonstrating deference to the senior rank, not inferiority to the person being saluted. One tradition associated with the hand salute has withstood the test of time. The tradition is that of newly appointed officer giving a silver dollar to the first enlisted person to salute them after they have received their commission.

The exact origin of this custom is arguable. Researchers suggest that it came from the British regiments stationed in Colonial America. They brought with them a number of customs and traditions that were retained by the newly formed American Units. For example, newly commissioned British officers were assigned an enlisted soldier to train them, teach them the regiment's history and traditions, and ensure that his equipment met appropriate standards. Grateful lieutenants often showed their heartfelt gratitude by informally compensating the enlisted man with a small sum of money.

This custom continued to grow within the British military and newly formed American units. American second Lieutenants, in 1816, received a monthly base pay of $25, a $3 ration allowance, and $1 for an enlisted advisor. This advisor's pay was later discontinued, but the responsibility for teaching the newly commissioned officer continued. The present day tradition is thought to have its roots in this relationship.

Authorized by Congress on April 2, 1792, the silver dollar traditionally is the only coin given in exchange for the first salute. The coin should represent more than a dollar in currency. To every new officer, it has a special significance. It represents the symbolic receipt of respect due a newly earned rank and position.

It signifies a deep sense of gratitude for the knowledge-enlisted personnel, especially NCOs, have passed on to them during training. It's acknowledgement from one professional to another saying, "Welcome to our service and to the profession of arms."

The coin is an expression of respect shared together, as are all tasks and missions that are given together for the officer and enlisted to perform. The values and ethics that are passed on to the newly commissioned officer are there to be shared and remembered and to be passed on again when the time comes.

Whatever the origin of the "silver dollar salute", it is part of all soldier's, sailor's, airman's, and marine's love of duty and their respect for each other, and it strengthens their commitment and responsibility to serve their country. Over the years each branch of service has put it's own spin on the tradition of the "silver dollar salute."

Some of the newly commissioned 2nd lieutenants received their first salute from enlisted personnel there helping with the ceremony. Others received their first salute from family members that were past or are present members of the military. Sam had asked cousin Dale if he would do the honor of presenting him with his "first salute". Dale served in the US Navy as a chief petty officer. As Dale was headed up to the stage Col. Jacobs, the officer presiding over the ceremony, saw that Dale was wearing his Viet Nam Veteran ball cap and quickly asked everyone present to rise to their feet and give him an ovation as a thankyou for his service to our country. If that doesn't get you a little bit teary eyed you don't have a heart! Hopefully somebody can get the colonel's contact info so we can thank him for what he did for Dale.



I'm glad I was able to go over and witness this special occasion. There will be things to laugh about like the fire drill the morning of the commission ceremony and "borrowing chairs" from the terrace room where they were holding the reception after the ceremony. But hey if they knew the size of our family they'd have known to have a lot more chairs in the room for Sam's commission ceremony! At least there were a few chairs left for the group photo in the terrace after the ceremonies.



Nicole and I are hoping we can get "over the hill" for a visit here sometime this summer.