Canada In
Scouts Canada the salute is rendered vertically, palm out similar to British Army/Commonwealth salutes, except if the member is a
Sea Scout where it is palm in/angled down (traditionally, to hide your 'dirty hands' from the ship's captain).
Beaver Scouts in Canada use a variant of the two-fingered sign with the fingers bent forwards forming "teeth". When they move up to
Cub Scouts part of the ceremony sometimes includes a Scouter straightening the fingers to change from the Beaver to Cub sign.
Switzerland, Belgium and Germany The half-salute is used by Swiss Scouts when shaking (left) hands with other Scouts or leaders on greeting or parting. Additional meaning of the thumb holding down the little finger as explained in Switzerland and Germany: the big and strong protects the weak and little. To greet each other, German-speaking Scouts often say 'Gut Pfad', which can literally be translated to 'Good Path'. This comes from the German term for 'scout', which is 'Pfadfinder'.
United Kingdom The Scout Association uses the three-fingered Scout sign for all sections, including Cub Scouts. The two-fingered Cub salute was abandoned by the Scout Association following a recommendation by the
Advance Party Report in 1966, that
"there should be only one salute for the whole Movement". The Scout sign is used while making or reaffirming the Beaver Scout, Cub Scout or
Scout Promise and at no other time. The Scout salute is the same but held to the forehead rather than vertically, and is used to salute the Union Flag, section/group colours, or at funerals or the National Anthem. The
Baden-Powell Scouts' Association uses both the three and two fingered salutes.
Girlguiding only uses the guide sign (half salute), though historically the full salute was used.
United States saluting.
Outdoor Service Guides (formerly Baden Powell Service Association) As a member of
WFIS and part of the international
Traditional Scouting movement, the Scout sign and salute differs by section in the
OSG-US. The Timberwolf (cub) section uses the two-finger (spread) salute, and the two finger Scout salute as defined in the 1938 PO&R, while the Pathfinder (scout) and Rovers use the traditional three-finger sign and salute.
Scouting America (Formerly Boy Scouts of America) Cub Scouts use the two finger Scout sign and salute—the sign is presented with the fingers apart to represent the ears of
Akela the wolf. Scouts BSA, Venturers and Sea Scouts use the three finger sign and salute. The Scout sign is performed with the upper arm parallel to the ground and the forearm vertical, forming a right angle at the elbow. The Scout sign is used when reciting any of the ideals of the Scouting America such as the Scout Oath and Scout Law. It is also used to gain the attention of the group. The salute is rendered in the American style with the palm in and is only used to salute the
flag of the United States. Early BSA protocol required Scouts to salute each other, but this was discontinued in 1972.
Girl Scouts of the USA As a member of
WAGGGS, the
Girl Scouts of the USA use the three-fingered sign at shoulder height. The three fingers represent the person's own spiritual beliefs, other people and the Girl Scout Law. This differs from the 1913 version where the first finger represented God and Country. == Worldwide ==