Instead, there is deep meaning behind this alignment. The one on the left is wearing a backward american flag patch. 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 backwards flag resembles what it would look like, were it being carried into battle. Sep 23, 2019 american military uniforms feature the u. 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. Since the stars and stripes are mounted with the canton closest to the pole, that section of the flag stayed to the right, while the stripes flew to the left. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observer s right, and.
Have you ever wondered why the american flag looks backward on military and other uniforms. Apr 23, 2015 answer to quote, to wear our countrys flag properly, the field of stars is worn closest to your heart. The rule is that the blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor on the uniform. The way the flag patch is worn can help you tell the difference between civilian and military officials. 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. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Therefore, the flag is worn on the right shoulder, and wearing it backward gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward. 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 flags own right. That means, technically, if a flag patch is worn on the right sleeve of a uniform, the blue would be to the back. The united states flag code establishes advisory rules for display and care of the flag of the united states. Army regulation 6701 addresses explicitly the proper and lawful placement of the u. Can civilians wear american flag patches about flag.
Why does the usa have their flag backwards on their sleeve. Why is the flag patch backwards on military uniforms. The regulation states that the stars are to face forward. Why the american flag is reversed on military uniforms. While the boy scouts flag has the blue field of stars at the top left, the soldiers flag is a reversefield flag. 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 american flag patch represents the flag and when flags fly in motion, like a parade, the field of blue is always in the front and that is the only reason the right shoulder flag patch has the field of blue reversed. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observers right. Can civilians wear american flag patches about flag collections. On the issue of the clothing, the section requires that the american flag patch should always be on the right of the flag. The difference is the arm that the flag is worn on.
The flag should be on the right or left shoulder so long as it faces forward. This is the incredible reason why the flag is backwards on. According to the department of defense, 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 flags own right. In other countries and places, local etiquette applies. Mar 29, 2009 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 flags own right. The momentum of the flag bearer would leave the flag streaming behind, appearing backwards to enemies, or anyone else close enough to catch a glimpse. For those that dont know the reasons the reverse us flag is. The simple reason for this is that tradition dictates the flag must always be facing forward. Well, several years later, ive decided to search for the answer and as it turns out, theres a pretty good reason for it. The reason has to do with proper display of the flag. Mar 11, 2016 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.
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. Its funny watching all of the ill informed fatties suck this bs up. Why is the american flag reversed on military uniforms. The backwards flag is actually part of the us flag code, which applies to spacecraft, aircraft, and even service members uniform insignia. Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the soldiers arm like a flag pole. I dont know about you, but ive always wondered that. During the civil war, at least one soldier would be responsible for carrying the flag when.
Answer to quote, to wear our countrys flag properly, the field of stars is worn closest to your heart. Heres why the us flag sometimes appears backwards national. Why is the american flag worn backwards on soldiers uniforms. When you display your countrys flag backwards with a patch or a backwards american flag sticker, the emblem or brand ceases to be legally emblematic of the sponsoring country.
When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observers right, and gives the. The tattoo was a black and backwards american flag. Dec, 2014 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. Oct 10, 2017 the subdued tactical flag worn on deployments or in the field features muted colors. They are not backwards, the flag is running towards the battle. Why is the american flag worn backwards on soldiers. American flag embroidered patch reverse white border us. Now that we know where to find a backward flag, lets talk about why it is backward and how that is not a show of disrespect as you may suspect. Why is the american flag backward on military uniforms. Why is american flag backwards on soldiers uniform answers. Traditionally, the right shoulder of a uniform is the place of honor. Apr 14, 2015 that means, technically, if a flag patch is worn on the right sleeve of a uniform, the blue would be to the back. Why do some people wear an american flag patch backwards.
Jul 26, 2018 why is the u s flag worn backwards on uniforms don t be stolen valor patch guy learn proper whyread more can civilians wear american flag patches. You may have noticed the american flag worn backwards on. If you look at the right sleeve of a boy scout and of a u. 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.
When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observer s right, and gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward. I am quoting the below from a reddit article and have heard similar before from historians national parks and pbs. Many civilians have expressed concern regarding this practice, claiming that it was disrespectful of old glory and misrepresents our country that the department of defense felt compelled to offer an explanation to clear things up. It is not backward it is only orienting the flag to its natural position in movement. 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.
Why do military and law enforcement personel wear a backwards. Mar 30, 2018 according to the department of defense, 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 flags own right. To clarify, only the united states flag patches worn on the right shoulder are reversed. However, on an arm patch, this is seen as the opposite or reversed. The army reasons that with the flag patch worn that way, it resembles a flying flag carried by a soldier who is moving.
The official reason for the backwards american flag. Army regulation 6701 says, 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. You may have noticed the american flag worn backwards on different military uniforms, but do you know why they do this. The truth is that only those american flag patches worn on the right shoulder appear reversed. Why do soldiers wear a backwards american flag patch. Thus, if your patch is to be worn on your left sleeve, use a left flag normal. The stars appear on the left side of the flag, where we usually see them. The flag of the united states of america has many rules and etiquette. The stars appear on the right side of the flag, not the left.
American flag embroidered patch reverse white border us usa ironon emblem. When authorized for application to the proper uniform the american flag patch is to be worn, right or left. Nov 11, 2015 an interview i did with my father about why the american is worn backwards and why its important. This way the flag is on its right and is moving forward, which would have been a different case if the flag appeared the other. Respect for the flag in the military is implicit and absolute. This guy had prosthetic leg, and visible damage to his arm.
Actually, the flag patch is worn backwards to give others the same impression it did when it was first carried into battle. Just like with displaying the flag, there are rules of etiquette for the proper use of american flag patches. There is even an army regulation code which refers to the backwards flag. Why are the american flags on military uniforms reversed. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observers right, and gives the effect of the flag flying in. The flag must always be facing forward, which is typically seen as the stars on the lefthand side of the pole, seen as facing forward and never retreating.
Why is the american flag backwards on military uniforms. This is why the american flag patch is reversed on. For flag patches worn on uniforms, the same principle applies. Why do us soldiers wear american flag reversed on shoulder. The only time you should see a backward or reverse flag is on the uniform of a military professional as an arm patch worn on their sleeve.
Why are american flag patches worn backwards on military. For those that dont know the reasons the reverse us flag is displayed as such the reversed us flag was worm on the right shoulder of us military service. We all know by now that if an american flag patch or decal applied to the right sleeve or the right side of an object should always have the blue field facing forward, even if it makes the flag look backwards, because thats how the flag would look from that side when advancing forward. According to various reports, the american flag is worn backwards on u. The subdued tactical flag worn on deployments or in the field features muted colors. This is more of a old wives tale than any factual evidence.
The meaning of a backwards flag tactical distributors. The american flag is a symbol of freedom and a certain set of values we hold dear as a nation. Mar 27, 2018 whoever was in charge of making the outfits really messed up. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Is the american flag backwards on the side of space shuttle discovery. What does an american flag stand for if it is reversed and black. 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. On modern us army uniforms soldiers wear the us flag patch reversed. 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.
It used to be in the army you wear the reversed us flag patch on your right arm when you deployed to a war zone. Black american flag patch meaning about collections u s flag code american etiquette rules and is it wrong to own or wear patches for military forces you why do military patches depict the american flag with how to know military uniform laws with pictures wikihow. Why the american flags on military uniforms are reversed business. Think of it, not as a patch, but rather as a loose flag attached to a soldiers arm, as if it was a flag pole.
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 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 ithe star. March 11, 2014 bryan wendell uniforms 249 if you look at the right sleeve of a boy scout and of a u. If the american flag is worn on the left arm, the american flag appears normal with the stars on the left. 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. When that soldier moves forward, the stripes will flow to the back and the blue field will face forward. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observer s right, and gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the.
There are rules and codes regarding how the american flag can be worn such as how an actual flag can never be worn as clothing, as well as rules regarding how the flag is flown and handled in general, to help. What does a backwards black and white american flag mean. 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. Origins of the backwards american flag patch on us military uniforms. This is why the american flag patch is reversed on military. 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.
As the soldier moves forward, the red and white stripes will flow to the back. An interview i did with my father about why the american is worn backwards and why its important. The blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor. Civilians often wonder why the american flag on military uniforms are worn backwards. But the soldier on the right is wearing a normal american flag patch. Civilians often wonder why the us army flag patch is reversed.
According to united states army regulations, the fullcolor us flag cloth replica is worn so that the star field faces forward. Sep 28, 2019 they are not backwards, the flag is running towards the battle. 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. Why do military and law enforcement personel wear a. What does an american flag stand for if it is reversed and. That position has always been the right shoulder with the flags blue stars facing forward. 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. Aug 29, 2018 5 myths about the american flag what does it mean if the us flag is upside down quora upside downread more what does a backwards black and white american flag mean.