That position has always been the right shoulder with the flags blue stars facing forward. 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. For those that dont know the reasons the reverse us flag is. Why is the american flag displayed backwards on military.
Wear your flag with pride with one of our flag patches. Us army uniform flag backwards about flag collections. On modern us army uniforms soldiers wear the us flag patch reversed. Both featuring a flag that is reversed the two vehicles are seen to be displayed with backward american flags for the same reason of the uniforms. I am quoting the below from a reddit article and have heard similar before from historians national parks and pbs. When viewing the flag on a wall, the highest position of. Just like with displaying the flag, there are rules of etiquette for the proper use of american flag patches. This is why the american flag patch is reversed on. In 2003, in the beginning of the global war on terror, the uniform regulation for the army was updated. 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.
The army reasons that with the flag patch worn that way, it resembles a flying flag carried by a soldier who is moving. And that is the reason why only the flag patches worn on the right shoulder are reversed photos. 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. 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. Military uniform sleeves arent the only place where the flag is displayed this way. Heres why the american flag is put on backwards on u. Inch american us flag embroidered cloth sew on iron on patch golden yellow border.
An american flag patch and a first infantry division d977 65 003 4 new us army american flag military uniform velcro patch standard reverse acu first look pictures of u s mandos on the front lines in brooke army military medical. This is the incredible reason why the flag is backwards on. 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 do some people wear an american flag patch backwards. The regulation states that the stars are to face forward. Here s why the american flag is always backwards on military uniforms. Army regulation 6701 outlines the proper placement of american flag patches on authorized uniforms. The backwards flag is actually part of the us flag code, which applies to spacecraft, aircraft, and even service members uniform insignia. The flag should be on the right or left shoulder so long as it faces forward. During the civil war, both mounted cavalry and infantry units would designate a standard bearer, who carried the flag into battle. Respect for the flag in the military is implicit and absolute.
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. This backwards flag patch stands for the opposite of what america represents, life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Is the american flag backwards on the side of space shuttle discovery. The reason has to do with proper display of the flag. The rule dates back to the army s early history, when both mounted cavalry and infantry units would designate a standard bearer, who carried the flag into battle. The regulation states that when authorized for application to the proper uniform the american flag patch is to be worn. On the issue of the clothing, the section requires that the american flag patch should always be on the right of the flag. 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 flag patch. Answer to quote, to wear our countrys flag properly, the field of stars is worn closest to your heart. Reverse american flag patchesstickers represent the opposite symbolic meaning. Find the perfect flag patches at army surplus world, in stores or online. Thank you for your inquiry about the proper placement of the american flag on the uniform of the u. Regulation 6701 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.
Im a useless info junkie it may look strange at first, but it actually makes sense. Flag is the same for all camouflage patterns of the army combat uniform. The regulation states that when authorized for application to the proper uniform the american flag patch is to be worn, right or left. Why is the american flag reversed on military uniforms. The stars are to face forward, the regulation states. The position of the flag is noted in army regulation 6701, mandating the star field should face forward. A patch on the left shoulder will appear as the flying flag. Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the soldiers arm like a flag pole. Heres why the us flag sometimes appears backwards national.
Army regulation 6701, wear and appearance of army uniforms and insignia, addresses explicitly the proper and lawful placement of the u. The same goes for military uniforms and government cars. However, according to army regulation 6701, wear and appearance of army uniforms and insignia, the regulation states when authorized for application to the proper uniform, the u. Why is american flag backwards on soldiers uniform answers.
Civilians often wonder why the us army flag patch is reversed. Why are american flag patches on law enforcementmilitary. 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. The truth is that the flag patch is only reversed when it is displayed on the right shoulder because the blue field of stars. Army, authorized under regulation 6701 the wearing of a reversed american flag patch on utility and organizational. 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. The regulation states that when authorized for application to the proper uniform the american flag patch is to be worn, right or. The official term for this depiction is reverse side flag.
When authorized for application to the proper uniform the american flag patch is to be worn, right or left. They are not backwards, the flag is running towards the battle. American flag reversed patch subdued olive and black. Army regulation 6701 addresses explicitly the proper and lawful placement of the u. 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. For flag patches worn on uniforms, the same principle applies.
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. The flag of the united states of america has many rules and etiquette. Tactical patch display panel holder board for military army combat morale uniform hook and loop emblems, 43 inches x 27. Why is the us american flag patch backwards on its serving military. 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 flags own right. Why is the american flag worn backwards on soldiers uniforms. 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. If the patch is worn on the right shoulder, the stars will be on the right side of the patch and the stripes will be on the left. 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. New army policy on the wear of flag uniforms blackfive. On other military uniforms, youll see whats called the reverse side.
Military patches, us army flag patch, us navy patch. 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. Army develop another uniform badge, the expert soldier. The flag is only reversed on the right side of the uniform. Why is the u s american flag patch backwards on its serving. Why the american flag is reversed on military uniforms. Why the american flags on military uniforms are reversed business. 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. Free shipping buy 2 patches or more mix and match and orders sent via standard shipping within the us ship free. This is more of a old wives tale than any factual evidence. 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. Besides the feature of the american flag backward on military uniforms, usflagged aircraft and vehicles marked with the american flag are both no different from the uniforms. 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. Ar 6701, paragraph 1918 states, all soldiers will wear the fullcolor u.
The blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor. The flag is shown that way on shoulder patches because it is meant to show old glory being carried forward, perhaps into battle, and fluttering in the wind. Why is the american flag backward on military uniforms. Basically, the idea behind the backward 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. 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. 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. All of our patches have a heat seal backing so you can iron them on or sew. Military uniform american flag patch about flag collections. President franklin delano roosevelt signed the official united states federal flag code in 1942, which includes instructions and rules for how to use. 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, wear and appearance of army uniforms and insignia. Thus, if your patch is to be worn on your left sleeve, use a. Important notice april 26 2020 we are still able to ship most orders within 1 business day mondayfriday order by 3pm eastern time mf and most orders ship the same day. The air force uses the standard flag patch on flight uniforms. In reality, its position hearkens back to the civil war, and the standard bearer charging into battle with the flag streaming behind. In reality, its position hearkens back to the civil war, and the standard. The reverse flag patch is part of the army uniform. The place of honor for the american flag is always to the right of.
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