Why is american flag backwards on soldiers uniform answers. The story of a marine grunt in the first battle of khe sanh april 1967 duration. The flag of the united states of america has many rules and etiquette in how it should be displayed. They are not backwards, the flag is running towards the battle. The rule is that the blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor on the uniform. Mar 11, 2014 if you look at the right sleeve of a boy scout and of a u. 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.
Why is the american flag reversed on military uniforms. Reverse american flag patches stickers represent the opposite symbolic meaning. Heres why the american flag is reversed on military uniforms. Heres why the us flag sometimes appears backwards national. Comments of brain washed and antiamerican are anti american themsleves. For the right shoulder, the flag only appears backward. 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. 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.
Just like with displaying the flag, there are rules of etiquette for the proper use of american flag patches. 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. Mar 27, 2019 on an arm patch, you are looking at it differently, and when the soldier or marine marches forward, the u. 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 flag s own right. The stars appear on the left side of the flag, where we usually see them. Why are the american flags on military uniforms reversed. 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. As the standard bearer charged, his forward momentum caused the flag to stream back in the wind, the blue patch of stars facing forward.
Ive read that the backwards flag is a secret anti american symbol, but one that is out in the open. In his words, this one had been there and done that. But the soldier on the right is wearing a normal american flag patch. According to an executive order signed by president dwight d. Why are american flag patches on law enforcementmilitary. Why do us soldiers wear american flag reversed on shoulder. In reality, its position hearkens back to the civil war, and the standard. And that is the reason why only the flag patches worn on the right shoulder are reversed photos. 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. March 11, 2014 bryan wendell uniforms 249 if you look at the right sleeve of a boy scout and of a u. Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the soldier s arm like a flag pole. Why do some people wear an american flag patch backwards. This is why the american flag patch is reversed on.
Why is the american flag patch backwards on american soldiers. 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. The way the flag patch is worn can help you tell the difference between civilian and military officials. Why is the flag patch backwards on military uniforms. The flag is designed to look like what a flag would look like, if carried into battle. 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. On an arm patch, you are looking at it differently, and when the soldier or marine marches forward, the u. 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. Is the american flag backwards on the side of space shuttle discovery.
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. 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. That position has always been the right shoulder with the flag s blue stars facing forward. I know the photo itself wasnt flipped because i could read mountain just below the reversed flag. Respect for the flag in the military is implicit and absolute. The army reasons that with the flag patch worn that way, it resembles a flying flag carried by a soldier who is moving. American flag backwards us army military patch patriotic etsy. For flag patches worn on uniforms, the same principle applies. I am quoting the below from a reddit article and have heard similar before from historians national parks and pbs. Army, authorized under regulation 6701 the wearing of a reversed american flag patch on utility and organizational. As the soldier moves forward, the red and white stripes will flow to the back.
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. 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. Even at the olympics, the american flag is the only one that doesnt dip to the head of state of the host country. Traditionally, the right shoulder of a uniform is the place of honor. Why is the us american flag patch backwards on its serving military. 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. This backwards flag patch stands for the opposite of what america represents, life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. The simple reason for this is that tradition dictates the flag must always be facing forward. Because retreat in battle, as any soldier will tell you. This is why us flag is reversed on military 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. Mar 18, 2003 according to an executive order signed by president dwight d.
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. 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. The flag should be on the right or left shoulder so long as it faces forward. According to united states army regulations, the fullcolor us flag. Oct 10, 2017 the subdued tactical flag worn on deployments or in the field features muted colors. On the issue of the clothing, the section requires that the american flag patch should always be on the right of the flag. Heres why the american flag is put on backwards on u. The place of honor for the american flag is always to the right of. 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. The difference is the arm that the flag is worn on. 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.
The rule is that the blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of. Im a useless info junkie it may look strange at first, but it actually makes sense. 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. The power and politics of flags explains why american flags are reversed on military uniforms. 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. This is a sign of respect to the flag, not a sign of disrespect to others. On an arm patch, you are looking at it differently, and when the soldier or. The backwards flag is actually part of the us flag code, which applies to spacecraft, aircraft, and even service members uniform insignia. Sep 23, 2019 american military uniforms feature the u. On modern us army uniforms soldiers wear the us flag patch reversed, but why is this. Thank you for your inquiry about the proper placement of the american flag on the uniform of the u. This is more of a old wives tale than any factual evidence. If the american flag is worn on the right arm, the american flag will appear backwards with the stars on the.
Well, several years later, ive decided to search for the answer and as it turns out, theres a pretty good reason for it. Army, authorized under regulation 6701 the wearing of a reversed american flag patch on. I dont know about you, but ive always wondered that. The official reason for the backwards american flag. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observer s right, and. This is why the american flag patch is reversed on military. Why the american flag is reversed on military uniforms. 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. Civilians often wonder why the us army flag patch is reversed.
Why the american flags on military uniforms are reversed business. I have seen it on nfl and mlb teams and some police uniforms. 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. The truth is that the flag patch is only reversed when it is displayed on the right shoulder because the blue field of stars. And thats why soldiers wear the flag patches on the right shoulder backward. 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. Nov 02, 2018 the flag of the united states of america has many rules and etiquette in how it should be displayed. 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. This is the incredible reason why the flag is backwards on. Why do soldiers wear a backwards american flag patch.
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