Why Do US Soldiers Wear American Flag Reversed On Shoulder?

haha.. good catch, my father has been asking me that for a few years now

I don't know what the meaning is but I'm sure I wouldn't like it if I did!

Apparently its because if it was shown the correct way it would look like they are retreating or something like that.

Why do American soldiers wear the U.S. flag insignia "backwards" on the right shoulder of their utility uniforms, with the canton (the rectangle with the stars) on an observer's right?

It's a question that soldiers hear frequently as they travel through civilian airports, or talk to members of other services.

And it does look "wrong," because U.S. federal code calls for the canton to always be positioned to the left.

The soldiers aren't wrong, however, and neither are their tailors, Lt. Col. Stanley Heath, an Army spokesman, explained in a Friday telephone interview.

The Army actually 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, 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," Heath said.

What does a stiff wind have to do with this custom?

In fact, the rule is a nod to the U.S. Army's early history, when wars were fought as a series of carefully choreographed battles — two armies meeting on a field, clashing head-on until one side emerged victorious.

In those battles, both mounted cavalry and infantry units would always designate one soldier as "standard bearer," to carry the Colors into the fight.

As the standard bearer charged, his rapid forward momentum would cause the flag to stream back.

And since the Stars and Stripes is mounted with the canton closest to the pole, that section would always be forward.

So if a soldier is charging into the battle, the flag would give the appearance of forward motion. For the right shoulder, the flag only appears "backward."

And that's why soldiers wear the flag patches on the right shoulder "backward." Because retreat in battle, as any soldier will tell you, is not the Army way

The only time I saw that was in a poorly photoshopped picture that circulated on the web. The flag was reversed. Probably by someone who wouldn't know the difference.

It's to look as though a soldier is running with the flag in a forward charge (as they did in battle years ago). The wind blows the flag as a soldeir runs with it. It's to signify that soldiers never retreat.

While giving the appearance that the flag looks to be backward on the the soldiers shoulder, it's not.

The backwards flag must be something new as I don't recall ever seeing it positioned on uniforms before this war. I guess their explanation of such a thing is OK then. Yeah.
.

The same philosophy applies to flag stickers on moving vehicles - the flag should appear to be "flying" or in motion...

Lately, I prefer my flag upside down...

Well, I don't know if this is true, but found this....
[link to www.usflag.org]
Why is the Flag patch "backwards" on Military uniforms?
Following is a quote from the Department of Defense website...

"Thank you for your inquiry about the proper placement of the American flag on the uniform of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Army Regulation 670-1, “Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia,” updated most recently September 5, 2003, addresses explicitly the proper and lawful placement of the U.S. flag patch on the Army uniform.

The regulation states that when authorized for application to the proper uniform the American flag patch is to be worn, right or left shoulder, so that “the star field faces forward, or to the flag’s own right. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observer’s right, and gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward. The appropriate replica for the right shoulder sleeve is identified as the ‘reverse side flag’.”

We appreciate and share your concern for the respectful display of our American flag on the uniform of the U.S. Armed Forces."

For more information on Army Regulation 670-1 please visit the following web site, [link to www.usapa.army.mil]


..........
There are other's who believe that like an upside down cross or upside down five pointed star, could be Satanic....is interesting...

You're not very observant....the poster above you seems to explain it quite well, thanks.

moron

It is reputed to be something to do with the Jesuit Order and their influence on the formation of an American standing army, but I am afraid that having gotten your hopes up I cannot remember what it was and cannot be arsed at this late hour to find out for you.

suffice to say there is an unpleasant and sinister reason why it is flown backwards which denotes US soldiers as foot soldiers for the jesuit order.

Amen, brother (or sister). My upside down flag isn't fringed in gold either.

Ummm... So an enemy in fake uniform, who would probably place the patch the "expected way" can be spotted??

They are backwards on aircraft also...it's supposed to be flowing with the relative wind, hence the reversal. On aircraft the flag on the left side looks correct while the one on the right side is backwards.

I suspect this is also the reasoning behind the way they are placed on uniforms.

They are backwards on aircraft also...it's supposed to be flowing with the relative wind, hence the reversal. On aircraft the flag on the left side looks correct while the one on the right side is backwards.

I suspect this is also the reasoning behind the way they are placed on uniforms.

The flag on the front of my house has been flown upside down for over three years now.

I used to get a lot of crap from my neighbors, but now most understand and two other families on my block have started doing the same.

Friends,

The flag is not "backward" and the foundational rule for wearing the flag is not due to Army or other military regulations.

When the American Flag is to be displayed on any conveyance (i.e., a moving vehicle, or a person's clothing) the star-field is to be in the top forward corner of the banner.

The flag is only "backward" when this rule is not followed.

Incidentally, when the flag is suspended, as over a street, the union (blue star-field) is to be in the North corner (over an East/West road) or to the West, on a North/South road. Both rules were established during the "civil war" to show the "union" is to the North and when looking to the North, the flag appears in it's traditional form.

Glad to see so many people concerned about the proper display of our nation's ensign.

Semper Fidelis!

When the leftist is in charge the flag is backward. When the right wing is in charge the flag is forward.

There is no bipartition, moving to the middle, unless we put the stars in the middle of flag - that solve this issue.

i asked a soldier this question once.

his answer was that it depicted the soldier as moving forward.

More likely it's that way now so that the flag "points" to the "Left" ... Like when the U.S. Department of the Interior changed the direction of the buffalo on their logo to face the "Left" during a past Democratic presidency.

in times of war it's "backwards" because they are carrying the charge.

in times of peace it's "forwards" because it's just blowin in the wind

"......actually,
it's
a
conversation-starter
for
military
swags."

That's sounds like an answer you would give to a child, I think there is more to it than blowing in the wind.