Military Customs

[clair_witch]

Do Britsh soldiers salute the prime minister?

[bernardo]

No - they salute their superior officers, and the chain of command goes up to the Queen, so ultimately it would be Her and not Bleurghh.

[Quizmonster]

Technically speaking, soldiers don't salute their officers, but the Queen, in that the officers hold her commission. They're saluting her through them and the officers respond on her behalf.

Re the Prime Minister, it would actually depend entirely upon the situation. If Mr Blair appeared at a military base in his official capacity...eg as a parade reviewing-officer/visiting units in Iraq etc...he would certainly be greeted with a salute on arrival and departure, if only as a courtesy. On the other hand, if he met a soldier in uniform whilst strolling through his constituency, there would be no necessity for the soldier to salute, though I rather suspect he would.

[norfolk boy]

The news question is ?

[clair_witch]

Thanks for your answers. My daughter was asked in cadets & I was trying to find out for her. You were a great help. Thanks!

[TheBrad]

I'd like to give our PM a salute of my own!