Why is the American flag backwards on the arms of military uniforms?

Answer 1

It's not. The "right-facing" American flag is worn on the right shoulder and the Union Jack (the field of stars) is always facing front - toward the enemy!! Hoorah. Air Assault, sir!

Been there, done that, got the medals (and the PTSD)!

To "armysoldier" - don't forget us with the CMB! - Combat Medical Badge - call call me "Doc"

Answer 2

It isn't. The easiest way to visualize how it should be shown is to think of a flag flying from a flagpole behind a moving ship. If you look at it from the ship's left side, the field of stars would be to your left, toward the bow of the ship. If you looked at it from the ship's starboard side, the field would be to the right. This is also how it is shown on the tail of a US-flagged aircraft.

If the flag is sewn on the right-hand sleeve of a uniform, you're seeing it from the right, and thus the field would face to the front of the soldier, the 'ship' who is flying the flag.

I will admit that it looks strange to me as well, and I would guess that this is probably why the flag wasn't used as uniform insignia in previous years. We've gotten used to seeing it this way on airplanes, though, so perhaps that's why it's now acceptable to the people in the military who are concerned with such symbols.

Answer 3

You've had good answers for this. Let me throw in a little trivia you may not know. Ever notice how an American warrior salutes? Compare that to the hand salute of any other nation on the face of this globe. When you stand in front of, say an English soldier, you see the palm of his hand when he salutes. When you stand in front of an American, you see the back of his hand. Military tradition requires that any nation that has been defeated in war must show the palm, indicating an empty, weaponless hand. Additionally, any American soldier, if given an order by an officer of any other country, has the option of obeying or telling the foreign officer to go to hell. Not a politically sound idea, perhaps, but legal none the less (there are exceptions to that, these days).

Answer 4

The Flag is show on the Right arm with the Stars forward. it is to signify that the military/United States are always moving forward and never in retreat. Every patch on a soldier’s uniform has a history and a reason. FYI a unit patch on the left arm signifies the unit that soldier belongs to; a unit patch on the right arm (above the flag) is a combat patch. Indicating the soldier was in a combat zone (not necessarily in combat). If they have a CAB or CIB (Combat Action Badge or Combat Infantry Badge) above the heart, that would signify that the soldier was in actual combat/under fire.

Answer 5

Army Soldier

The combat patch is below the flag, the flag is on the pocket cover and the combat patch is on the pocket it self.

Answer 6

a flag has 2 sides. one side flies the other way.

Answer 7

It's not backwards when you wear it, it's backwards to the observer.

Answer 8

its only backwards to the observer. but im not sure why

Answer 9

It signifies advancement, moving forward.

Answer 10

I don't know either, but I'd like to.