Why are the flags on American soldiers' uniforms backwards?

Answer 1

This has been asked so many times I saved my answer which was derived from the government answer to the question. 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 totters 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 military 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

The blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor. When viewing the flag on a wall, the highest position of honor is the upper left when displayed horizontally, and at the top (upper right) when displayed vertically. When displayed on a "moving object" like a person or vehicle, the highest position of honor is the front, and not the rear; so the field of blue should be displayed to the front.

For flag patches worn on uniforms, the same principle applies: the blue star field always faces towards the front, with the red and white stripes behind. Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the Soldier's arm like a flag pole. As the Soldier moves forward, the red and white stripes will flow to the back.

Answer 3

The US Flag must always appear as if its flowing forward. The US Flag has no backward or forward. If carried in battle, the stars are always leading. So on a uniform, the stars are leading forward, as the flag would be carried into battle.

Answer 4

It symbolizes charging into battle. When moving forward, the flag blows to the rear on it's pole making it appear backwards. AR 670-1 (for the Army makes it clear). I linked a site below explaining it.

Answer 5

They aren't. When you look at the flag, the union jack (that blue part with the 50 white stars in it) is to the left. Always. It's an international recognition thing, so anyone can id which soldiers are which.

Answer 6

It isn't really backward....Think of the American Flag blowing the wind on an attack charge.

Answer 7

This stems from the days of the Calvary when they charged forward with the flag towards the objective.

Answer 8

They are not! The flag is placed on the right sleeve, the stars should be seen to the viewers right. When the flag isplaced on the left sleeve, the stars should be seen to the viewers left!

Answer 9

Because if they were on the correct side and facing the other way it would look as if they are retreating (the perspective is that we are heading forward).