why do the US Military wear the stars and stripes reversed on their uniform?

Answer 1

It's because it's suppose to look like it would if someone's carrying it on the battlefield (civil war style). If someone's running with it on a pole in front of the troops then it would be backwards. I was told this right before we invaded Iraq in 2003 from a General speaking to us.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

Proper flag etiquette is to reverse the flag on the right sleeve, this indicates forward movement NOT retreat, I have a reversed flag on my rt. shoulder of my "Flight Jacket" (A-1 current issue to all pilots and air crews), it is also "Subdued" (same green color as the coat with no red white and blue) but, clearly distinguishable up close, you don't want to "Bail out", and try and hide in enemy turf, with red white and blue screaming off a patch.

Answer 4

This flag is symbolic of the men who used to march into battle with an actual flag. So steady and strong that the flag would blow behind them. On the arms of our soldiers, the flag faces as if being carried into battle, blowing behind them.

Answer 5

It looks good in the enemy's rear view mirrors when they are driving away from them?

Answer 6

Theyre too stupid to just wear it on the left sleeve like everyone else!

Answer 7

I read this earlier somewhere on here.... Because they don't want the flag to look as if it is retreating from the enemy.

Answer 8

i didnt knoe that, ill have to do some research on it, dont expect an answer, inless its something big.

*edit* so they do wear them backwards, thats weird, well, the millitary and gov just abolished the constitution, so maybe that has something to do with it


*edit*
something quite big in my eyes has been brought to my attention, notice in the picture, it says "DOING THE WORK OF", and it has a german flag in the middle?

Answer 9

because the wind was blowing from the other direction when they sewed it on.

Answer 10

so it doesnt look backwards in the mirror, duh!
-see the americans are always one step ahead!