2007-07-03 14:38:06 · 11 answers · asked by Rosemarie g 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
It's not backwards.
The union (blue) is always forward when the flag is placed on a moving object such as a uniform, car, plane or space shuttle. If it is to the rear, it signifies retreat. The boyscouts are wrong.
This rule supercedes the rule that the union will be to the flag's own right (viewers left).
2007-07-03 14:39:46 · answer #1 · answered by John T 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
They are designed this way.
The soldiers aren’t wrong, however, and neither are their
tailors. The Army has two authorized flag patches, one to be
worn on the left shoulder, with the canton facing left, and
another “reverse field” patch worn on the right shoulder, with
the canton facing right. The two different orientations are
mandated because Army regulations call for the flag “to be
worn so that to observers, it looks as if the flag is flying against a breeze.What does a stiff wind have to do with this custom? The rule is a nod to the U.S. Army’s early history, when wars were fought as a series of carefully choreographed battles, with two armies meeting on a field, clashing head-on until one side emerged victorious. In those battles, infantry and mounted cavalry units would always designate one soldier as “standard bearer” to carry
the colors into the fight. As the standard bearer charged, his rapid forward movement would cause the flag to stream back. And since the Stars and Stripes is mounted with the canton next to the pole, that section would always be forward.So if a soldier were charging into battle, the flag would give the appearance of forward motion. When worn on the right shoulder, the flag only appears to be backwards.
And that’s why soldiers wear the flag patches on the right shoulder backwards. Because retreat in battle, as any soldier will tell you, is not the Army way.
Before post your reply to somthing get your facts straight,I sorry for acting like a dick but i so sick and tired of 12 year olds or people who act like they know everthing posting comments on somthing they know nothing about.There is a yahoo search bar underneath every source box. Use it,people who want to know a answer on somthing not what you think it is.
2007-07-03 14:48:33 · answer #2 · answered by US soldier 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay, the 2 answers you have gotten so far don't answer the question. I think they are backwards too and have never really heard a good explanation. Hopefully someone will be able to explain it.
Add: Okay, I went and did a search in answers and did find several questions and answers to this. If worn on the right shoulder of the uniform, it appears that then flag is flying in the breeze as the wearer is moving forward, thus the wearer is a flag bearer. If you look at military planes, they have the flag flying "backwards" as if fluttering in the breeze as the plane moves forward. OK, thats as good as explanation as any, but I still think it looks dumb.
2007-07-03 14:41:20 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
short and simple ok?
its not backwards, it represents the flag back in the day when flags where carried into battle, and they flew back in the wind, thats what is happening on our sleeves.
2007-07-03 15:21:19 · answer #4 · answered by Jopa 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
its supposed to be simulating a breeze as a U.S. soldier moves forward in any or all missions.
2007-07-05 03:16:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This question comes up every other day..... look at those answers.
2007-07-03 14:40:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
so that the flag flys behind you!!!!!!
2007-07-03 18:49:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a conspiracy, seriously this question is on here all the time .
2007-07-03 14:42:17 · answer #8 · answered by thursday538 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
we are currently at war
2007-07-03 14:39:21 · answer #9 · answered by That Guy 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
AGAIN? They're not.
2007-07-03 14:43:31 · answer #10 · answered by gunplumber_462 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋