The rule is that the blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor on the uniform. Mar 18, 2003 according to an executive order signed by president dwight d. The backwards flag is actually part of the us flag code, which applies to spacecraft, aircraft, and even service members uniform insignia. Well, several years later, ive decided to search for the answer and as it turns out, theres a pretty good reason for it. The same applies to the backward patch on the right shoulder it is designed to look like the flag is flying in the breeze as the soldier moves forward, and it never appears that the stars are in retreat.
As the soldier moves forward, the red and white stripes will flow to the back. Why do some people wear an american flag patch backwards. While the boy scouts flag has the blue field of stars at the top left, the soldiers flag is a reversefield flag. The american flag patch is to be worn, right or left shoulder, so that the star field faces forward, or to the flags own right.
Basically, the idea behind the backwards american flag on army uniforms is to make it look as though the flag is flying in the breeze as the person wearing it moves forward. According to united states army regulations, the fullcolor us flag. Mar 11, 2016 why is the flag backwards admin march 11, 2016 uncategorized im sure you have seen the american flag displayed backwards in many places, like on cars, airplanes, and most notably on the right shoulder of soldiers uniform. Army, authorized under regulation 6701 the wearing of a reversed american flag patch on. The flag is designed to look like what a flag would look like, if carried into battle.
Army regulation 6701 states, the american flag patch is to be worn, right or left shoulder, so that the star field faces forward, or to the flags own right. Army regulation 6701, wear and appearance of army uniforms and insignia, updated most recently september 5, 2003, addresses explicitly the proper and lawful placement of the u. The truth is that only those american flag patches worn on the right shoulder appear reversed. Have you ever wondered why the american flag looks backward on. Respect for the flag in the military is implicit and absolute. Is the american flag backwards on the side of space shuttle discovery. If the american flag is worn on the right arm, the american flag will appear backwards with the stars on the. On the issue of the clothing, the section requires that the american flag patch should always be on the right of the flag. The story of a marine grunt in the first battle of khe sanh april 1967 duration. But the soldier on the right is wearing a normal american flag patch. And thats why soldiers wear the flag patches on the right shoulder backward.
Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the soldier s arm like a flag pole. The power and politics of flags explains why american flags are reversed on military uniforms. It flies higher than all of the other flags in the united states. Sep 23, 2019 american military uniforms feature the u.
Mar 23, 2018 think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the soldiers arm like a flag pole. Oct 10, 2017 the subdued tactical flag worn on deployments or in the field features muted colors. According to an executive order signed by president dwight d. Why the american flag is reversed on military uniforms business. Why are american flag patches on law enforcementmilitary. Im a useless info junkie it may look strange at first, but it actually makes sense. The flag of the united states of america has many rules and etiquette in how it should be displayed. This is a sign of respect to the flag, not a sign of disrespect to others. Reverse american flag patches stickers represent the opposite symbolic meaning. Army regulation 6701 states, the american flag patch is to be worn, right or left shoulder, so that the star field faces forward, or to the flags. On an arm patch, you are looking at it differently, and when the soldier or. Comments of brain washed and antiamerican are anti american themsleves. According to united states army regulations, the fullcolor us flag cloth replica is worn so that the star field faces forward, or to the flag s own right.
Ive read that the backwards flag is a secret anti american symbol, but one that is out in the open. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observer s right, and. And that is the reason why only the flag patches worn on the right shoulder are reversed photos. I have seen it on nfl and mlb teams and some police uniforms. If the flag was put on the right arm as a patch or as a sticker on the passenger side of a vehicle the normal way, it would be flying backwards.
Just like with displaying the flag, there are rules of etiquette for the proper use of american flag patches. On an arm patch, you are looking at it differently, and when the soldier, or marine, or whatever, marches forward, the us flag most face forward. Even at the olympics, the american flag is the only one that doesnt dip to the head of state of the host country. Why the american flags on military uniforms are reversed business. Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the soldiers arm like a flag pole. The rule is that the blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of. Heres why the american flag is reversed on military uniforms. The army reasons that with the flag patch worn that way, it resembles a flying flag carried by a soldier who is moving. The place of honor for the american flag is always to the right of. Thank you for your inquiry about the proper placement of the american flag on the uniform of the u. The truth is that the flag patch is only reversed when it is displayed on the right shoulder because the blue field of stars. Why is the american flag patch backwards on american soldiers. Mar 26, 2019 army regulation 6701 states, the american flag patch is to be worn, right or left shoulder, so that the star field faces forward, or to the flags own right. This is the incredible reason why the flag is backwards on.
Why is the american flag reversed on military uniforms. Heres why the american flag is put on backwards on u. It all has to do with proper display of the flag the blue field of stars should always face forwardbe in the highest and most prestigious position of honor. Civilians often wonder why the us army flag patch is reversed. The american flag patch is to be worn, right or left shoulder, so that the star field faces forward, or to the flag s own right. Many combat veterans still wear the us flag in the reverse on hats, backpacks, and tshits, etc to let others know they are a combat vet and are proud of that fact. Why is the us american flag patch backwards on its serving military. Why do us soldiers wear american flag reversed on shoulder.
Why is american flag backwards on soldiers uniform answers. The official reason for the backwards american flag. Why is the flag patch backwards on military uniforms. Why do soldiers wear a backwards american flag patch. The flag should be on the right or left shoulder so long as it faces forward. The flag is worn with the appearance of being backwards on soldiers right arm to symbolize early american armies which had a flag carrier holding our flag high which looks backwards from one. Eisenhower in 1959, the goldfringed flag and, by extension, patch sized replicas are to be used exclusively by the armed forces. This is why the american flag patch is reversed on military. The reason given that its backwards because the flag is supposed to be blowing in the wind as if running into battle really doesnt make sense seeing as how a soldier would be carrying a gun, not a flag. They are not backwards, the flag is running towards the battle.
In reality, its position hearkens back to the civil war, and the standard. The difference is the arm that the flag is worn on. In his words, this one had been there and done that. Nov 02, 2018 the flag of the united states of america has many rules and etiquette in how it should be displayed.
Why are the american flags on military uniforms reversed. American flag, backwards us army military patch, patriotic embellishment for scrapbooks, photo albums, memory books, wreaths gold, red, white and blue, sew on american flag us army military patch can be sewnglued on or attached by hook and pile tape. In the early stages of my army enlistment, an old family friend gave me this reverse american flag patch pictured above from a uniform he wore in the early days of the war in afghanistan. Flag patches for the military are worn with the stars facing to the front while civilians such as fire and police officials wear flag patches with the stars facing backward. This is why the american flag patch is reversed on. Why the american flag is reversed on military uniforms. Mar 27, 2019 on an arm patch, you are looking at it differently, and when the soldier or marine marches forward, the u.
March 11, 2014 bryan wendell uniforms 249 if you look at the right sleeve of a boy scout and of a u. American flag backwards us army military patch patriotic etsy. This backwards flag patch stands for the opposite of what america represents, life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. That position has always been the right shoulder with the flag s blue stars facing forward. For the right shoulder, the flag only appears backward. I am quoting the below from a reddit article and have heard similar before from historians national parks and pbs. On an arm patch, you are looking at it differently, and when the soldier or marine marches forward, the u. The stars appear on the left side of the flag, where we usually see them. For flag patches worn on uniforms, the same principle applies. According to united states army regulations, the fullcolor us flag cloth replica is worn so that the star field faces forward, or to the flags own right. I dont know about you, but ive always wondered that. Eisenhower in 1959, the goldfringed flag and, by extension, patchsized replicas are to be used exclusively by the armed forces.
On modern us army uniforms soldiers wear the us flag patch reversed, but why is this. Aug 31, 2008 think of a flag being flownon the front side, it is as the flag is supposed to look, but from the back side it is the opposite. The way the flag patch is worn can help you tell the difference between civilian and military officials. I know the photo itself wasnt flipped because i could read mountain just below the reversed flag. Mar 11, 2014 if you look at the right sleeve of a boy scout and of a u. Because retreat in battle, as any soldier will tell you. The regulation states that when authorized for application to the proper uniform the american flag patch is to be worn, right or left shoulder, so that the star field faces forward, or to the flag s own right. This is why us flag is reversed on military uniforms. Traditionally, the right shoulder of a uniform is the place of honor. The army actually has two authorized flag patches, one to be worn on the left shoulder, with the canton facing left, and another reverse field patch worn on the right, with the canton facing right. Why is the flag on a soldiers uniform in reverse youtube. Army regulation 6701 states, the american flag patch is to be worn, right or left shoulder, so that the star field faces forward, or to the flag s own right. As the standard bearer charged, his forward momentum caused the flag to stream back in the wind, the blue patch of stars facing forward.
This is more of a old wives tale than any factual evidence. Jul 03, 2018 the backwards flag is actually part of the us flag code, which applies to spacecraft, aircraft, and even service members uniform insignia. Heres why the us flag sometimes appears backwards national. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observers right, and gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward.
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