Why is the american flag worn backwards on soldiers uniforms. Sep 23, 2019 american military uniforms feature the u. March 11, 2014 bryan wendell uniforms 249 if you look at the right sleeve of a boy scout and of a u. Army, authorized under regulation 6701 the wearing of a reversed american flag patch on. Heres why the american flag is put on backwards on u. The next time you see a soldier wearing that backwards american flag, think of it as a reminder of that persons bravery.
As the soldier moves forward, the red and white stripes will flow to the back. 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 stars appear on the right side of the flag, not the left. A patch on the left shoulder will appear as the flying flag. Reverse american flag patches stickers represent the opposite symbolic meaning. Army regulation 6701 wear and appearance of army uniforms and insignia requires service members to wear their american flag patch with the stars facing forward. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observers right, and gives the effect of. Why is the american flag backward on military uniforms. This is why the american flag patch is reversed on military.
This is the incredible reason why the flag is backwards on. The rule is that the blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor on the uniform. And that is the reason why only the flag patches worn on the right shoulder are reversed photos. The backwards flag signifies this and gives the perception that every soldier is carrying a flag. Lately, ive noticed prison guards, police tactical units, emergency workers, military and civilian aircraft, etc. The regulation states that the stars are to face forward.
Basically, the idea behind the backwards american flag on army uniforms is to make it look as though the flag is. Why is american flag backwards on soldiers uniform answers. 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 reasons that with the flag patch worn that way, it resembles a flying flag carried by a soldier who is moving. 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. 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. Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the soldiers arm like a flag pole. 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 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. The army reasons that with the flag patch worn that way, it resembles a flying flag carried by a. Just like with displaying the flag, there are rules of etiquette for the proper use of american flag patches.
The official reason for the backwards american flag. Reverse american flag patchesstickers represent the opposite symbolic meaning the scouts of all people should know about patch design where are your morals. First of all, the soldiers are not wearing the our flag backwards. 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. Mar 30, 2018 the flag faces the observers right and gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the person in uniform, car or airplane moves forward. Why is the american flag reversed on military uniforms. This is more of a old wives tale than any factual evidence. For those that dont know the reasons the reverse us flag is. Civilians often wonder why the us army flag patch is reversed.
Why are american flag patches on law enforcementmilitary. Soldiers will wear the subdued tactical flag insignia while deployed or in a field environment. Flag patch traditionally, the right shoulder of a uniform. This is the same rule that is being applied to the wearing of the flag. According to united states army regulations, the fullcolor us flag. Why is the american flag patch backwards on american. Army regulation 6701, wear and appearance of army uniforms and insignia, updated most recently on february 3, 2005, addresses explicitly the proper and lawful placement of the u. American flag embroidered patch reverse black united. Im a useless info junkie it may look strange at first, but it actually makes sense. The united states military wears the flag patch backward on the right sleeve to signify how the flag flies against the wind when carried into battle and charging the enemy. Everywhere you look these days government issued uniforms are wearing the flag backwards.
On modern us army uniforms soldiers wear the us flag patch. I know the photo itself wasnt flipped because i could read mountain just below the reversed flag. In the movie, blackhawk down, most of the soldiers had the american flag insignia on their uniform sewn on backwards. Why is the flag backwards on military uniforms and planes. 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. They are not backwards, the flag is running towards the battle. Mar 11, 2014 this backwards flag patch stands for the opposite of what america represents, life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
Mar 27, 2019 army regulation 6701 wear and appearance of army uniforms and insignia requires service members to wear their american flag patch with the stars facing forward. That position has always been the right shoulder with the flags blue stars facing forward. Why do us soldiers wear american flag reversed on shoulder. 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.
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. 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. When authorized for application to the proper uniform the american flag patch is to be worn, right or left. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observers right, and gives the effect. The place of honor for the american flag is always to the right of. Why is the flag on a soldiers uniform in reverse youtube. The flag of the united states of america has many rules and etiquette in how it. Reverse american flag patchesstickers represent the opposite symbolic meaning. For flag patches worn on uniforms, the same principle applies. 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 his words, this one had been there and done that. The appropriate replica for the right shoulder sleeve is identified as the reverse side flag. Why do some people wear an american flag patch backwards. If you are looking forward at a flag pole and the wind is blowing from your right to your left, is the flag being flow backwards. Respect for the flag in the military is implicit and absolute. When the american flag is displayed in its proper position on a flagpole, the blue field is in the upper left corner, and the stripes are free to wave in the wind. That soldier is fighting for our freedom, and the stars always lead the way. 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. And thats why soldiers wear the flag patches on the right shoulder backward. 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 side while correct from the other. What is the real reason our soldiers have to wear a. 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. 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 flag faces the observers right and gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the person in uniform, car or airplane moves forward. This backwards flag patch stands for the opposite of what america represents, life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Its a question that soldiers hear frequently as they travel through civilian airports, or talk to members of other services. The power and politics of flags explains why american flags are reversed on military uniforms. Why the american flags on military uniforms are reversed business. Gorucks reverse flag explained respect for the flag in the military is implicit and absolute.
The stars and stripes are in the upper right hand corner. 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 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. 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. The truth is that the flag patch is only reversed when it is displayed on the right shoulder because the blue field of stars. Ive noticed that our soldiers in afghanistan also have the flags sewn on backwards. Thank you for your inquiry about the proper placement of the american flag on the uniform of the u. Why the american flag is reversed on military uniforms. Is the american flag backwards on the side of space shuttle discovery. 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.
Of course, the flag also flies the normal way when carried in such a manner from the other perspective or vantage point. Why is the us american flag patch backwards on its serving military. Have you ever wondered why the american flag looks backward on. For the right shoulder, the flag only appears backward. Because retreat in battle, as any soldier will tell you. This is why the american flag patch is reversed on. In case you didnt notice, why is the american flag worn. On an arm patch, you are looking at it differently, and when the soldier or.
An interview i did with my father about why the american is worn backwards and why its important. The subdued tactical flag worn on deployments or in the field features muted colors. Ive heard some really lame excuses why the army wears a backwards flag patchbut it hasnt always been this way. 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. The one on the left is wearing a backward american flag patch. It is not backward it is only orienting the flag to its natural position in movement.
I dont know about you, but ive always wondered that. Put the flag on the right shoulder and keep in mind that the stars and blue should be going forward as if moving, and youve got yourself a backwards patch. Nov 11, 2015 an interview i did with my father about why the american is worn backwards and why its important. 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 flag s own right. Army, authorized under regulation 6701 the wearing of a reversed american flag patch on utility and organizational. 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 reversed on military uniforms. Look down below at that picture of two brave soldiers.
Heres why the us flag sometimes appears backwards national. I have seen it on nfl and mlb teams and some police uniforms. The backwards flag is actually part of the us flag code, which applies to spacecraft, aircraft, and even service members uniform insignia. 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. 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. Its okay, im in the air force and i still think the flag looks backwards when i see it on army uniforms air force uniforms dont have a. Why is the american flag worn backwards on soldiers.
When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observer s right, and. I am quoting the below from a reddit article and have heard similar before from historians national parks and pbs. Mar 29, 2010 lots of answers here but what follows is the correct answer. Tactical patch display panel holder board for military army combat morale uniform hook and loop emblems, 43 inches x 27. Why do soldiers wear a backwards american flag patch. Why is the flag patch backwards 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. Why is the american flag patch backwards on american soldiers. Why are the american flags on military uniforms reversed. Oct 10, 2017 the subdued tactical flag worn on deployments or in the field features muted colors.