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. Learn why the flag is worn backward on army uniforms, what it means, and. 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. Mar 27, 2019 have you ever wondered why the american flag looks backward on military and other uniforms. Sep 23, 2019 american military uniforms feature the u. Why are the american flags on military uniforms reversed. Over flag patch designs are available including over 600 country flag patches, 150 us state flag patches, us military patches, historic patches and popular specialty patches. Its traditional but not required except in the military for the us flag to be represented as flowing backwards as the person moves forwards. Why is the american flag reversed on military uniforms. Its a question that soldiers hear frequently as they travel through civilian airports, or talk to members of other services. Why the us flag is reversed on military uniforms simplemost. Why does the american flag, as well as other flags, appear to be painted. But the soldier on the right is wearing a normal american flag patch.
All of our patches have a heat seal backing so you can iron them on or sew them on. Thank you for your inquiry about the proper placement of the american flag on the uniform of the u. Choose between 24 us embroidered flag patch designs, rectangle american flag patches, shield us flag patches, and other popular us flag patch designs. I dont know about you, but ive always wondered that. As the soldier moves forward, the stripes will flow to the back. This is the incredible reason why the flag is backwards on. May 01, 2010 as others have said, the flag isnt backwards if you figure that flags have two sides. For flag patches worn on uniforms, the same principle applies. 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.
Shop flag patches at army surplus world army surplus world. Why is the flag patch backwards on military uniforms. 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.
Oct 10, 2017 the subdued tactical flag worn on deployments or in the field features muted colors. 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. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. 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. Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the soldiers arm like a flag pole. Are backwards flag patches somehow reserved for wear on packs by military personnel. The official reason for the backwards american flag. The rule is that the blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor on the uniform. Many sharpeyed civilians have noted an apparent oddity on the uniform sleeves of american soldiers. March 11, 2014 bryan wendell uniforms 249 if you look at the right sleeve of a boy scout and of a u.
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. Mar 11, 2014 if you look at the right sleeve of a boy scout and of a u. Civilians often wonder why the american flag on military uniforms are. What does an american flag stand for if it is reversed and. We own a custom flag company and found patches wholesale to be the best choice for our product.
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. There are many other ways to design your american flag tattoo. That position has always been the right shoulder with the flag s blue stars facing forward. Most of us are familiar with the image of the american flag in what is called a. Why do soldiers wear a backwards american flag patch. Jan 08, 2019 an american flag tattoo is definitely one of the best tattoo designs out there that you can use to show your american heritage. Heres why the american flag is reversed on military uniforms. On us army uniforms the acu is the current uniform being worn in the army, although the guidelines for which patches go on which shoulder also apply to the old bcus and dcus, the soldier s unit patch goes on their left shoulder, and the american flag goes on their rightand underneath it, combat patches. Stripes explained, the flag patch worn on the right shoulder of a u. At one point i realized that the american flag patch on the soldiers uniform appeared to be backwards, with the stars on the right side. Today, the reverse flag is worn on the right sleeve of military uniforms and.
I am quoting the below from a reddit article and have heard similar before from historians national parks and pbs. Civilians often wonder why the us army flag patch is reversed. In reality, its position hearkens back to the civil war, and the standard. Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the soldier s arm like a flag pole. What does an american flag stand for if it is reversed and black. Comments of brain washed and antiamerican are anti american themsleves. 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. The stars appear on the left side of the flag, where we usually see them. 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. Most of us are familiar with the image of the american flag in what is called a wall mount, with the blue star field called the union in the upper left as the flag is suspended facin. American flag patches range in size up to the large embroidered 8 x 12 patch. The flag design came from an ir infraredflag that we wear on our uniforms in combat. Apr 03, 2020 we ship embroidered flag patches anywhere in the world. The power and politics of flags explains why american flags are reversed on military uniforms.
Heres why the us flag sometimes appears backwards national. This is why the american flag patch is reversed on. Its pretty common for guys in the military to get tattoos replicating patches that they normally wear on their uniform. American flag tattoo this is a picture of my third tattoo. 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. While the boy scouts flag has the blue field of stars at the top left, the soldier s flag is a reversefield flag. 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. It is not backward it is only orienting the flag to its natural position in movement. Look down below at that picture of two brave soldiers. 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. Sep 20, 2019 that is a very good question with an interesting background.
For the right shoulder, the flag only appears backward. Respect for the flag in the military is implicit and absolute. Sep 28, 2019 they are not backwards, the flag is running towards the battle. Additionally, it is a good way to symbolize your patriotism. Nov 11, 2017 a couple weeks ago i was watching a netflix original called sand castle, about an army soldier. Flag code formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. The stars appear on the right side of the flag, not the left. For americans, vibrant american flag tattoos are a perfect way to show how red, white and blue you a american flag tattoo see more. Why would an american flag be backwards on a police car. Not only is the workmanship and pricing better than an tom skahen vermilion, oh. The gr1 is nearly identical to the bag i designed and even.
If the flag were not reversed on the right, the soldier might appear to be moving backwards or retreating. Why the american flag is reversed on military uniforms. Flag patches, us flag patches, american flag patches, us flag. And thats why soldiers wear the flag patches on the right shoulder backward. 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. Sep 11, 2001 flag etiquette american flag etiquette flag etiquette the flag of the united states of america nothing evokes such strong emotion as seeing the flag, either a ceremony honoring a great event or draped over a coffin as a sign of mourning for a hero or loved one. You are now at top of my go to list for military items. Why is the american flag backwards on soldiers shoulders. In case you didnt notice, why is the american flag worn. Nov 11, 2015 an interview i did with my father about why the american is worn backwards and why its important. 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. 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. Maybe youve noticed the same thing on military uniforms and vehicles.
Jun 24, 2017 tim marshall, the author of worth dying for. When that soldier moves forward, the stripes will flow to the back and the blue field will face forward. Why do us soldiers wear american flag reversed on shoulder. This is why the american flag patch is reversed on military. At first, i thought maybe it was one of those movie mixups, but. Oct 01, 2018 titled wear and appearance of army uniforms and insignia, it contained a section stating that the stars and stripes of a soldier s american flag patch must face forward rather than backwards. The us flag and all it represents is something i was and will always be.
Instead, there is deep meaning behind this alignment. The rule dates back to the armys early history, when both mounted cavalry and infantry units would designate a standard bearer, who carried the flag into battle. Have you ever wondered why the american flag looks backward on military. On an arm patch, you are looking at it differently, and when the soldier or. Wear your flag with pride with one of our flag patches. This is more of a old wives tale than any factual evidence. Why is the american flag worn backwards on soldiers uniforms. It consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red top and bottom alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton referred to specifically as the union bearing fifty small, white, fivepointed stars arranged in nine offset. During the civil war, both mounted cavalry and infantry units would designate a standard bearer, who carried the flag into battle.
Usa flag patch is 3 38 inches wide x 2inches tall reversed top quality american flag patch with detailed embroidery perfect for jeans, jackets, vests, military, backpacks, scrapbooking and. Mar 23, 2018 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. The one on the left is wearing a backward american flag patch. Mar 29, 2010 backwards is just wrong and everyone seems to be jumping on the bandwagon that its flowing in the wind towards the enemy, maybe on a pole or guidon that would be correct but not a patch design that represents a backwards america, its like thruth is ficton and fictional stories are partly made up in the media with programs for everyone to see.