The difference is the arm that the flag is worn on. I have seen it on nfl and mlb teams and some police uniforms. The official reason for the backwards american flag. According to an executive order signed by president dwight d. This backwards flag patch stands for the opposite of what america represents, life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. The story of a marine grunt in the first battle of khe sanh april 1967 duration. Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the soldier s arm like a flag pole. 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. Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the soldiers arm like a flag pole. 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. Why the american flag is reversed on military uniforms business. 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. Why is the american flag reversed on military uniforms. Reverse american flag patches stickers represent the opposite symbolic meaning. Why is the american flag patch backwards on american soldiers. If the american flag is worn on the right arm, the american flag will appear backwards with the stars on the. This is why the american flag patch is reversed on. 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. The simple reason for this is that tradition dictates the flag must always be facing forward.
The truth is that the flag patch is only reversed when it is displayed on the right shoulder because the blue field of stars. Sep 23, 2019 american military uniforms feature the u. The power and politics of flags explains why american flags are reversed on military uniforms. The place of honor for the american flag is always to the right of. Why is american flag backwards on soldiers uniform answers. Even at the olympics, the american flag is the only one that doesnt dip to the head of state of the host country. 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. Eisenhower in 1959, the goldfringed flag and, by extension, patch sized replicas are to be used exclusively by the armed forces. Respect for the flag in the military is implicit and absolute. 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. 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.
And thats why soldiers wear the flag patches on the right shoulder backward. Well, several years later, ive decided to search for the answer and as it turns out, theres a pretty good reason for it. 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. Why is the flag patch backwards on military uniforms. American flag backwards us army military patch patriotic etsy. 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. 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. But the soldier on the right is wearing a normal american flag patch. 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. Why do us soldiers wear american flag reversed on shoulder. Eisenhower in 1959, the goldfringed flag and, by extension, patchsized replicas are to be used exclusively by the armed forces.
This is why us flag is reversed on military uniforms. 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. Heres why the american flag is put on backwards on u. In his words, this one had been there and done that. In reality, its position hearkens back to the civil war, and the standard. 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. Ive read that the backwards flag is a secret anti american symbol, but one that is out in the open. Thank you for your inquiry about the proper placement of the american flag on the uniform of the u. 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. They are not backwards, the flag is running towards the battle.
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. 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. Mar 18, 2003 according to an executive order signed by president dwight d. For flag patches worn on uniforms, the same principle applies. Why are the american flags on military uniforms reversed. I know the photo itself wasnt flipped because i could read mountain just below the reversed flag. 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.
Why do some people wear an american flag patch backwards. 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. According to united states army regulations, the fullcolor us flag. 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. 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. 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.
Army, authorized under regulation 6701 the wearing of a reversed american flag patch on utility and organizational. Have you ever wondered why the american flag looks backward on. Oct 10, 2017 the subdued tactical flag worn on deployments or in the field features muted colors. It flies higher than all of the other flags in the united states. Just like with displaying the flag, there are rules of etiquette for the proper use of american flag patches. 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. As the soldier moves forward, the red and white stripes will flow to the back. The way the flag patch is worn can help you tell the difference between civilian and military officials. Mar 27, 2019 on an arm patch, you are looking at it differently, and when the soldier or marine marches forward, the u. That position has always been the right shoulder with the flag s blue stars facing forward. On the issue of the clothing, the section requires that the american flag patch should always be on the right of the flag. Civilians often wonder why the us army flag patch is reversed.
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. Im a useless info junkie it may look strange at first, but it actually makes sense. 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. Traditionally, the right shoulder of a uniform is the place of honor. 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. 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. The rule is that the blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor on the uniform. Heres why the us flag sometimes appears backwards national. Why are american flag patches on law enforcementmilitary. 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. This is why the american flag patch is reversed on military. Why the american flags on military uniforms are reversed business.
On modern us army uniforms soldiers wear the us flag patch reversed, but why is this. The rule is that the blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of. 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. This is the incredible reason why the flag is backwards on. On an arm patch, you are looking at it differently, and when the soldier or marine marches forward, the u. This is more of a old wives tale than any factual evidence. Comments of brain washed and antiamerican are anti american themsleves. The backwards flag is actually part of the us flag code, which applies to spacecraft, aircraft, and even service members uniform insignia.
March 11, 2014 bryan wendell uniforms 249 if you look at the right sleeve of a boy scout and of a u. I am quoting the below from a reddit article and have heard similar before from historians national parks and pbs. The stars appear on the left side of the flag, where we usually see them. 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. I dont know about you, but ive always wondered that. 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. While the boy scouts flag has the blue field of stars at the top left, the soldiers flag is a reversefield flag.
As the standard bearer charged, his forward momentum caused the flag to stream back in the wind, the blue patch of stars facing forward. Is the american flag backwards on the side of space shuttle discovery. Mar 11, 2014 if you look at the right sleeve of a boy scout and of a u. The truth is that only those american flag patches worn on the right shoulder appear reversed. Why is the flag on a soldiers uniform in reverse youtube. Nov 02, 2018 the flag of the united states of america has many rules and etiquette in how it should be displayed. 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. Army, authorized under regulation 6701 the wearing of a reversed american flag patch on. 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. Why the american flag is reversed on military uniforms. For the right shoulder, the flag only appears backward.
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