When the flag is flying from a flagpole, the stars are always against the pole. Most americans see the flag every day, flying outside government buildings, schools, and other institutions. Why is the american flag worn backwards on soldiers uniforms. Army regulations call for the flag to be worn so that to observers, it looks as if the flag is flying against a breeze. 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 flag s own right. 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. 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, and gives the. The backwards flag is actually part of the us flag code, which applies to spacecraft, aircraft, and even service members uniform insignia. What is the proper way to wear a flag patch on ones shoulder sleeve. I was going to print up some pictures for decorations and one of my flag pictures turned out upside down like that because i had it in the printer wrong. S flag on the shoulder of the army combat uniform upside down. A backward flag is only seen on the right shoulder of the uniformed professional.
So stars should always be facing forward and thats why only right shoulder patch is reversed. The flag of the united states of america has many rules and etiquette in how it. For those that dont know the reasons the reverse us flag is. The flag patch is usually affixed on either sleeve, just below the shoulder seam. Why do some people wear an american flag patch backwards. Gadsden and culpeper collection of shoulder patches that are custom embroidered and 100% made in the usa. If the flag patch is being worn on the right shoulder, there is no way for the stars to be in the lefthand corner, so the new position becomes front as the prominent.
Why didnt they just have the american flag patch on the. Virtually any time the american flag is depicted or flown, it has the orientation seen in the following image, with the stars in the upper hoist left quarter of the flag. What does it mean when an americn flag patch is reversed. One of the flags will, therefore, be reversed right shoulder in order to adhere to the regulation and custom of having the stars facing forward.
Thus, if your patch is to be worn on your left sleeve, use a left flag. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observer s right, and. The way the flag patch is worn can help you tell the difference between civilian and military officials. Flag patches embroidered flag patches you can sew or iron on to clothes. Military regulation requires that the flags stars always be on the. However, when the flag is displayed as a patch on the right shoulder of a military, police, or fire uniform, its orientation is rightleft reversed, as shown here. Our patches are of the highest quality and your satisfaction is guaranteed. I am just wondering why it was decided to not have it on the left shoulder where its orientation would be what most people traditionally expect. Only the flag patches affixed to right shoulders of uniforms are reversed, so the blue field of stars faces forward.
Most organizations face the flag with the union toward the front of the sleeve and the stripes running horizontally toward the back. The truth is that the flag patch is only reversed when it is displayed on the right shoulder because the blue field of stars. The truth is that only those american flag patches worn on the right shoulder appear reversed. Why is the american flag patch that soldiers and some law. Flag patches shop embroidered flag patches thecheapplace. The flag can be worn on the right or left shoulder, depending on the uniform. The answer to why us military uniform flags reversed. Left shoulder nearest to the heart, if company patch is worn with department patch on right fdny style no flag displayed left shoulder no department patch, flag displayed on left shoulder. They say the flag should be put in the direction of the wind. Between the mexican and civil wars, it was carried out front by a flag bearer.
The reason for this is because the stars on the flag should be displayed in high position meaning the stars are always placed so they are in the top left corner when displayed. Im having a party for my son who just enlisted and is getting ready to leave for basic. During all my time in the service before that obviously, the flag patch was always the conventional display with the blue field in top right regardless of which shoulder the patch was on. Firestoreonline is your top source for uniform apparel, regulation gear, firefighter gear bags, selfdefense items, waterproof safety jacket, tactical gears, tactical boots and. The reason has to do with proper display of our flag. Just like with displaying the flag, there are rules of etiquette for the proper use of american flag patches. 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. When moving forward, therefore, the star field is always to the front as the red and white stripes flow to the back in the breeze. This gives people the impression that the flag is flowing in the wind, as if being carried into battle. Im a useless info junkie it may look strange at first, but it actually makes sense. Have you ever wondered why the american flag looks backward on military and other uniforms. Why the us flag is reversed on military uniforms simplemost. Why is the american flag reversed on military uniforms. 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.
This is a mirror image american flag embroidered in this patch that measures 3x2 inches. Shop our selection of embroidered iron on flag patches. The star field is always to be displayed on the flag s own right. The regulation states that the stars are to face forward. Is the american flag backwards on the side of space shuttle discovery. Wzt 2 pcs regular and reverse american flag embroidered patches grey 5. Left flag right or reversed field flag to wear our countrys flag properly, the field of stars should be worn closest to your heart. To clarify, only the united states flag patches worn on the right shoulder are reversed. 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. Left shoulder nearest the heart, this is your department patch location and flag is located on the right shoulder. So if you wanted to sew a flag on each shoulder of your jacket you would use this one on the right shoulder with the stripes facing your back. Left shoulder patches arent a problem, as the stars face forward without. The reason has to do with proper display of the flag.
That position has always been the right shoulder with the flag s blue stars facing forward. The blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor. Following is a transcript of the video with the answer you might looking for. When viewing the flag on a wall, the highest position of honor is the upper left when displayed horizontally, and at the top upper. 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. It is not backward it is only orienting the flag to its natural position in movement. And that is the reason why only the flag patches worn on the right shoulder are reversed photos. Ive not served my thanks and appreciation to those who do or have, but my understanding is that is done so it appears to the observer that the flag is flying back in a breeze as the uniformed person marches forward. The rule is that the blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor on the uniform. Why wear american flag patch on the right side shoulder. 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 simple reason for this is that tradition dictates the flag must always be facing forward. This is why the american flag patch is reversed on. Heres why the us flag sometimes appears backwards national. If you have the flag positioned on your left shoulder as you can see. The field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor. 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. 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. 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. Posted on october 10, 2017 october 18, 2017 1 comment on why is the flag patch backwards on military uniforms.
The flag is worn on the right shoulder as a position 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. Left shoulder patches arent a problem, as the stars face forward without meddling. Reversed american flag patch american flag patches. Why is the flag patch backwards on military uniforms. On modern us army uniforms soldiers wear the us flag patch. In later conflicts, the standard was converted into a patch worn on the service members right shoulder. The meaning of a backwards flag tactical distributors. Backwoods barnaby american flag reverse usa morale patch right shoulder. The flag is not really backwards on their shoulders, the flag is flying forward as they move 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 ithe star. American flag shoulder patch reversed wavy gold border.
Why the american flags on military uniforms are reversed business. Civilians often wonder why the us army flag patch is reversed. We carry a wide variety of flags but one flag we carry many different sizes and colors of and thats the american flag patches. Why is the us flag reversed when its on an arm patch of a. Yes, other nonmilitary forces police and fire have also started to follow the reversed flag. In respect to our symbol of freedom, patches worn on the right shoulder should always be reversed.
When authorized for application to the proper uniform the american flag patch is to be worn, right or left shoulder. I get why the patch is backwards when worn on the right shoulder. The reverse flag dates back to the armys early history when both cavalry and infantry units would charge ahead as the stars and stripes streamed backwards. Why didnt they just have the american flag patch on the left shoulder. The flag is in the normal orientation on the left shoulder patch, and reversed on the right to permit this. The only time that isnt the case is when she is flown upside down, as others have mentioned, as a sign of distress, as a distress call, or when it is a right shoulder patch, with the star field on the flag s own left but towards the forward of the wearer. Its not really backwards, it is the reverse side of the flag. Answer to quote, to wear our countrys flag properly, the field of stars is worn closest to your heart. We easily have at least 30 different sizes and colors of embroidered american flags. We have huge inventories and we stock all sorts of tactical patches, tactical morale patches for condor caps, truspec caps, and 511 tactical caps and other gear.
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