Pictured: The moment George Bush 'chest bumps' an airman



There are still eight months to go until George Bush hands over his presidency but it seems he already feels like celebrating.



After greeting US Air Force Academy cadets at a graduation ceremony in Colorado, he started horsing about with one graduate.

The president shocked onlookers when he decided to give one soldier, Theodore Shiveley from Plano, Texas, the most bizarre salute - a 'chest bump'.



Bizarre: President Bush and graduate Theodore Shiveley get ready to bump chests at the United States Air Force Academy graduation ceremony in Colorado Springs

Bump: The president embraces the strapping young graduate

Silver-haired Bush stretched out his arms and bounded into the strapping, uniformed soldier.



Wearing a long black coat over his suit the president looked uncomfortable as he prepared to embrace the graduate.



But that didn't deter him.



Strain: George Bush recovers from his exertions

He looked straight into the soldier's eyes as they jumped towards each other.



But the president looked slightly deflated after his hearty exchange and he was spotted puffing out his cheeks as the young recruit just smiled.

President Bush strikes a Heisman trophy pose with a graduate in front of the crowd and well placed photographers

The behaviour was just one example of a series of bizarre exchanges with the cadets including joining them to blow kisses to the crowd, sharing cigars, and even speaking on the phone to their family members.

President Bush flexes his arms in unison with another U.S. Air Force Academy cadet

President Bush grabs U.S. Air Force Second Lt. Jonathon Collin Reynolds' mobile telephone and chats with family members in the crowd after handing him his diploma

US President George W. Bush does his best to pose with a graduate during the Air Force Academy graduation ceremony in Colorado Springs