Code prescribed that military use of the flag will always be red, white, and blue. Backwoods barnaby american flag reverse usa morale patch right shoulder. I dont know about you, but ive always wondered that. If the fabric cannot be safely burned, it is acceptable to respectfully bury the item. 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. An american flag is only the right way if the stars are close to the pole. Many people notice that on american military uniforms the flag is reversed on. This backwards flag patch stands for the opposite of what america represents, life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. On modern us army uniforms soldiers wear the us flag patch. Military uniform flag patch backwards about flag collections. The truth is that the flag patch is only reversed when it is displayed on the right shoulder because the blue field of stars. However, there are times when it is impossible to have that happen because of the positioning of the emblem.
However, on an arm patch, this is seen as the opposite or reversed. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Flag patch traditionally, the right shoulder of a uniform. 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 are american flag patches on law enforcementmilitary people backwards. Reverse american flag patch in other original current. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. 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. Well, several years later, ive decided to search for the answer and as it turns out, theres a pretty good reason for it. Have you ever wondered why the flag on the military uniform always appears reversed despite the uss protectiveness of it and the fact that they would give severe punishment to whoever disrespects it. It can only be backwards with regards to a flagpole. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be. National armed forces day may 16 2020 today why is the u s flag worn backwards on uniforms why the u s flag is worn backward on army uniforms why is the u s american flag patch backwards on its serving here s why the us flag sometimes ears backwards. The regulation states that the stars are to face forward.
Or some weird pride stuff we international folks dont get. Why the american flags on military uniforms are reversed business. 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. Why is the flag patch on a scout uniform backwards. The truth is that only those american flag patches worn on the right shoulder appear reversed. That position has always been the right shoulder with the flag s blue stars facing forward. 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. So if the flag is meant to be seen with the blue field at the upper left, why has the u. The flag of the united states of america has many rules and etiquette in how it should be displayed.
This is the same with the flag on a uniform of a soldier. Why is american flag backwards on soldiers uniform answers. Posted on october 10, 2017 october 18, 2017 1 comment on why is the flag patch backwards on military uniforms. Why is the american flag backward on military uniforms.
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. Actually, the flag patch is worn backwards to give others the same impression it did when it was first carried into battle. The flag is worn on the right shoulder as a position of honor. 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.
Why does the usa have their flag backwards on their sleeve. Shop flag patches at army surplus world army surplus world. Why is the flag backwards on firefighters uniforms about. The american flag patch and the uniform of the capitol region emergency services team crest in connecticut one. 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. That position has always been the right shoulder with the flags blue stars facing forward. Why is the flag backward on baseball and football uniforms. 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. This is the incredible reason why the flag is backwards on american 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. But then we decided its an opportunity to educate people and answer a common question why is the flag backwards. I took the uniform to professional business to attach patch along with adhering numbersletter and another patch. This is the incredible reason why the flag is backwards on.
Heres why the us flag sometimes appears backwards national. S army personnel in uniform i have seen in the last several years in person, on videotape, or in photographs have without exception had a flag patch on their right sleeve, and in compliance with regulation the flag was backwards. 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. The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, firefighters, police officers, and members of patriotic organizations. The simple reason for this is that tradition dictates the flag must always be facing forward. It is not backward it is only orienting the flag to its natural position in movement. 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. For flag patches worn on uniforms, the same principle applies. 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. Why is the american flag reversed on military uniforms.
Heres why the american flag is put on backwards on u. This basically means that when a soldier is viewed from the right side, their flag patch is meant to look as a real flag would if it were being carried forward into battle. Have you ever wondered why the american flag looks backward on military and other uniforms. On other military uniforms, youll see whats called the reverse side flag on the right sleeve. Why are american flag patches on law enforcementmilitary. Thank you for your inquiry about the proper placement of the american flag on the uniform of the u. I am quoting the below from a reddit article and have heard similar before from historians national parks and pbs. They are not backwards, the flag is running towards the battle. This is more of a old wives tale than any factual evidence. However, with the updated army battle dress uniform that was recently unveiled, the flag patch will become a camouflage, muted color. 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.
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. Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the soldiers arm like a flag pole. Why are flag patches on service uniforms backwards. Wear and appearance of army uniforms and insignia, addresses explicitly the proper and lawful placement of the u. The heat transfer glue did not perform as expected and ended up having to sew the flag onto the uniform. Civilians often wonder why the us army flag patch is reversed. Now that we know where to find a backward flag, lets talk about why it is backward and how that. Why are the american flags on military uniforms reversed. These suggestions are true for a military uniform bearing the american flag patch or a tshirt with a u. As the soldier moves forward, the red and white stripes will flow to the back. Find the perfect flag patches at army surplus world, in stores or online. Ive read that the backwards flag is a secret antiamerican symbol, but one that is out in the open. Why is the american flag backwards on military uniforms. The rule is that the blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor on the uniform.
No other country in the world mirrors its flag on its military uniforms in this same way. Lee sanders shows the american patch on his uniform sleeve. Wear your flag with pride with one of our flag patches. The backwards flag is actually part of the us flag code, which applies to spacecraft, aircraft, and even service members uniform insignia. Get the best deals on reverse american flag patch in other original current military patches when you shop the largest online selection at. 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. The appropriate replica for the right shoulder sleeve is identified as the reverse side flag. Many sharpeyed civilians have noted an apparent oddity on the uniform sleeves of american soldiers.
Military uniform sleeves arent the only place where the flag is displayed this way. Its not really backwards, it is the reverse side of the flag. The meaning of a backwards flag tactical distributors. Why do some people wear an american flag patch backwards. Instead, there is deep meaning behind this alignment. If there is no flagpole, there is no way for the flag to be backwards. The flag of the united states of america has many rules and etiquette in how it. Most explanations of this go on to note that the military uses the reverse field flag union to the right on the right sleeves of their combat uniforms to show that the soldier is moving forward into battle. Why does the flag on a military uniform appear backwards. On the us military combat uniforms, where the flag is put on the sleeve of the uniform, the. 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 is the flag patch backwards on military uniforms. For instance, if someone put an american flag on a flagpole with no stars touching the pole, then it would be backwards. For those that dont know the reasons the reverse us flag is.
Why the us flag is reversed on military uniforms simplemost. 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 way the flag patch is worn can help you tell the difference between civilian and military officials. 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. Just like with displaying the flag, there are rules of etiquette for the proper use of american flag patches. On an arm patch, you are looking at it differently, and. Firefighter sues after he s told can t be on color guard what does the backwards flag mean is itread more why is the flag backwards on firefighters uniforms. In reality, its position hearkens back to the civil war, and the standard bearer charging into battle with the flag streaming behind. When authorized for application to the proper uniform the american flag patch is to be worn, right or left. There is even an army regulation code which refers to the backwards flag. That means, technically, if a flag patch is worn on the right sleeve of a uniform, the blue would be to the back.