I've seen people wear a US flag patch that appears to be backwards...what does that mean?

Answer 1

Many sharp-eyed civilians have noted an apparent oddity on the uniform sleeves of American military men: backward flag patches. Why is Old Glory flipped around like that?

Only the flag patches affixed to right shoulders of uniforms are reversed, so the blue field of stars faces forward. (Left shoulder patches aren't a problem, as the stars face forward without meddling.) The reversal was inspired by the age-old practice of carrying flags into battle. When fastened to a standard, the American flag's blue-and-white portion is always closest to the pole. A flag bearer rushing into the fray, then, would naturally lead with the stars. In fact, it would be virtually impossible to lead with the stripes-the flag would simply wilt and wrap around the pole, rather than waving triumphantly in the wind.

For a service man or women to lead with shoulder-borne stripes, then, might smack of cowardice and retreat, as if the toter were backpedaling away from the conflict. The official Army guidelines on the donning of flag patches add that the forward-facing stars give "the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward." So perhaps it's best to think of every militry person as a latter-day flag bearer, leading the headlong charge into battle.


God Bless you our men and women in uniform along with the Southern People.

Answer 2

Question: Why is the American Flag patch worn "backwards" on the shoulders of members of the U.S. Military?

Answer: A United States Flag patch always has the union of the flag (the blue field with stars) to the viewer's left.

This works well when looking at the left side of the vehicle or person, but when looking at the right side it appears the flag is flying backward when the vehicle or person is in motion. The flag would appear to be "in retreat" as the vehicle or person moves forward.

To alleviate this problem, the International Civil Aviation Organization decreed that flags painted on aircraft must face the direction of the flight so that it's aerodynamically and aesthetically correct. For consistency, the Flag Foundation recommends that flags or flag decals on vehicles, as well as flag patches on uniforms, should be displayed in the same manner.

Therefore, the American Flag patch on the left sleeve of a Military uniform should have the union to the viewer's left. A flag patch on the right sleeve should be displayed with the union to the viewer's right. In both cases the flag is facing forward and is streaming to the back as the person moves forward.

Answer 3

Special is right,

It sybolizes a flag being caried on the field. If it was faced the way we are acustomed to. The stars being in the upper left corner it would look as if the guidarm (not sure on spelling, but the person who holds the flag marching) was retreating.
Hence it looks backwards but it is representing a advancing line.

Answer 4

It is not backwards, it is fowards, it represents that we are going FOWARD into battle, hence the stars appear on the right side of the Flag. If it was reverse, it would appear we are retreating from the battle.

Answer 5

The blue part of the flag is always closest to the heart, which is why the flag looks backwards if it is on the right side of the body..

Answer 6

Im no expect, nor serviceman, but im pretty sure that symbolizes a time of war. As in carrying a flag into battle it would appear in that manner.

Answer 7

What do you mean "backwards"? The US flag (or any flag) can be displayed anyway round as long as it isn't upside down.

Answer 8

the reason is that thestars lead us soldiers into battle.

Answer 9

Great answer Stupid....and completely correct.

Answer 10

Great answer Stupid! I wondered that myself.