Why is the American Flag displayed 'backwards' on military uniform patches?

Answer 1

To look like it is flying.

Answer 2

The answer is simply that on anything mobile (a vehicle, airplane or even a person) something that is representing the flag but which cannot "blow in the wind" must always be displayed in such a way as if it were "blowing in the wind". So, since most people walk or run forwards (unless they're French. J/K ;) ) a real flag would "fly" towards the rear with the union forward. Therefore, a patch must be oriented in the same way. It certainly ISN'T because we're at war!

On a side note, I've always thought the "backwards" flag on the Army's uniform is neat. The only flag that I get to wear is on my flight suit where it is on my left sleeve, so it is oriented "correctly". Too bad!

Answer 3

It's sad that 3 out of the 4 posters before me have yet to realize that the flag is backwards when worn on the shoulder of an Army uniform. 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). The "backwards" flag signifies this and gives the perception that every soldier is carrying a flag. Left arm patches are correctly laid.

Answer 4

Here's the CORRECT answer. The American flag is always displayed with the stars facing forward, as if the wearer were carring the flag in front of them on a pole. Thus, the right arm flag patch appears "backwards", and if worn on the left arm, would look "normal". This is a tradition going back to the beginnings of the Army that dictates that the flag shall always face forward in the face of an enemy. Hope this helped you out.

Answer 5

The flag is always to be worn with the stars forward. On sleeves of shirts and things like the side windows of cars, the flag should be displayed as if it were attached to a pole and the direction it would fly. So if a car is moving forward (which would be the normal direction a car would be expected to travel) a flag on a side window on the driver's side would appear the standard way with stars in the upper left - but a flag on a side window on the passenger's side would appear to be backwards with the stars in the upper right so the stars would face forward

Answer 6

The military made the flag backwards so that as the soldiers marched, the flag would look like it was waving

Answer 7

Whether the patch is worn on the right or left arm, the star field always faces front. It is symbolic that whereever a soldier goes he carries the flag and it blows as though he is walking into the wind.

Answer 8

Imagine the flag were on a pole and the person carrying it running forward. the wind would push it back so that the stars were facing forward, or "backwards." They purposefully chose it to make it look like that.

Answer 9

With the stars facing the direction the soldier is going or "backwards" it always looks like the flag is moving forward.Not retreating.

Answer 10

lol

My Ranger (I'm a US Army Ranger) buddies and I see it as this.

We were taught "Stars are always closest to your heart." Purely for uniform layout purposes. America does not retreat, in this case the stars are flying in advance, you run with the flag and the stripes go back and stars go fourth.

-Cheers!

Sua Sponte

RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!

Answer 11

I've heard that the only reason that it would be facing the other direction(stars in the back) is if there was peace time and no wars going on.But since there are always wars going on we'll never see them put on the other way.