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Is the flag 'backwards' on soldiers' sleeves?
Stars and Stripes ^ | February 28, 2004 | Lisa Burgess, Stars and Stripes

Posted on 03/02/2004 4:27:32 AM PST by Lokibob

 
 
 
Is the flag 'backwards' on soldiers' sleeves?


By Lisa Burgess, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Saturday, February 28, 2004

ARLINGTON, Va. — 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.



TOPICS: AMERICA - The Right Way!!; Chit/Chat; Military/Veterans; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: faq; flag; soldier; starsandstripes
The rule is that the flag should always look like it is going forward. Even on AF1, the flag on the right side is "Backwards".
1 posted on 03/02/2004 4:27:33 AM PST by Lokibob
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To: Lokibob
and on space-shuttles, and all vehicles and planes.
2 posted on 03/02/2004 4:41:52 AM PST by MacDorcha
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To: Lokibob; MJY1288; xzins; Calpernia; TEXOKIE; Alamo-Girl; windchime; Grampa Dave; anniegetyourgun; ..
Good post. Thanks, Lokibob.

 
 Ohh.....Ping!

3 posted on 03/02/2004 5:50:46 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl ("(We)..come to rout out tyranny from its nest. Confusion to the enemy." - B. Taylor, US Marine)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
I knew that, bump.
4 posted on 03/02/2004 6:01:09 PM PST by SAMWolf (John Kerry has mentioned his Vietnam service more times than there are names on the Vietnam Memorial)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
I didn't know that! Thanks for the information.
5 posted on 03/02/2004 6:11:00 PM PST by hoosiermama (Ask Kerry to list the major pieces of enacted legislation he has authored in his career.)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Very enlightening....thanks.
6 posted on 03/02/2004 7:30:39 PM PST by JulieRNR21 (One good term deserves another! Take W-04....Across America!)
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To: Lokibob
"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'"

well duh! (I kinda figured that.)
7 posted on 03/03/2004 7:27:41 AM PST by the OlLine Rebel (Common Sense is an Uncommon Virtue)
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To: Lokibob
"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."

Well, actually, retreat isn't usually running *backwards* anyway, so that doesn't quite cover the issue! ;-)
8 posted on 03/03/2004 7:33:13 AM PST by the OlLine Rebel (Common Sense is an Uncommon Virtue)
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