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Backwards Flags
self | 2/9/09 | CTOCS

Posted on 02/09/2009 9:26:58 AM PST by CTOCS

What's with all the backwards US flags I'm seeing on TV and the movies these days?

On 3 separate episodes of NCIS, one of the cast members was in military BDU's and wearing the US flag on the upper right shoulder. Problem was the flag was made backwards (blue union on upper right instead of left). In one Van Damm movie the flag was draped over a casket upside down AND backwards. This at a military funeral. In one war movie, the flag on the tank was backwards.

This is the epitome of ignorance, apathy, and disrepect as far as I'm comcerned.

I can't expect the poor, dumb, Chinese bastard who made it to know the difference, but I damned well expect the American who ordered it and spec'd it to.

Why aren't the viewers complaining? Why are we putting up with this crap?

Is anyone else noticing this?


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: flagetiquette; ignorantvirginian
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1 posted on 02/09/2009 9:26:58 AM PST by CTOCS
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To: CTOCS

for years.. Thanks for posting.. and noticing.

It’s the little things that bite ya the hardest in the end.


2 posted on 02/09/2009 9:28:34 AM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed.)
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To: CTOCS

combat patchs on the BDU are backwards and is authentic


3 posted on 02/09/2009 9:29:29 AM PST by boxerblues
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To: CTOCS

http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/army/a/aruniformflag.htm


4 posted on 02/09/2009 9:30:19 AM PST by boxerblues
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To: NormsRevenge

I detest the misuse of the flag, especially flying it with another flag on the same flag pole.


5 posted on 02/09/2009 9:30:23 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: NormsRevenge

Actually I saw the same thing, and asked someone I know in the NG. The answer was that is symbolizes the flag waving back as the soldiers advance.

Makes sense, to me at least.


6 posted on 02/09/2009 9:30:23 AM PST by DaiHuy (')
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To: DaiHuy
Actually I saw the same thing, and asked someone I know in the NG. The answer was that is symbolizes the flag waving back as the soldiers advance.

Makes sense, to me at least.

Then put it on the other sleeve.

7 posted on 02/09/2009 9:31:56 AM PST by Uri’el-2012 (Psalm 78:35 And they remembered that God was their ROCK, And the Most High God their Redeemer.)
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To: CTOCS

I’m confused.

I’m in uniform right now and as I look down on The Flag, the blue field is on the right (closest to my right arm). That’s where it’s supposed to be, right? (That’s what I’d learned).


8 posted on 02/09/2009 9:32:05 AM PST by End Times Sentinel (In Memory of my Dear Friend Henry Lee II)
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To: CTOCS
one of the cast members was in military BDU's and wearing the US flag on the upper right shoulder. Problem was the flag was made backwards (blue union on upper right instead of left).

I'd always wondered about that but was told that is protocol, as the blue union square is always to be closest to the heart.

9 posted on 02/09/2009 9:32:09 AM PST by proud American in Canada ("We can, and we will prevail.")
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To: CTOCS

I believe the flag is “backwards” on a uniform to show which way the flag is flying in the wind. If it were “correct” then it would appear the wearer of the uniform was retreating instead of moving forward. The US Military doesn’t retreat (only politicians do). So I think by your description the BDU is correct. I’m not positive on this, just what I have heard.

The coffin though, probably just an idiot prop guy that didn’t know what he was doing.


10 posted on 02/09/2009 9:33:25 AM PST by Domandred (Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment.)
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To: boxerblues

Mine wasn’t, and I wore them on 4 separate uniform articles when I was on active duty.


11 posted on 02/09/2009 9:35:20 AM PST by CTOCS (Some people drink from the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.)
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To: CTOCS

The idea of the backwards flag is to communicate the idea of what a real flag on a pole would look like while charging forward into the wind. Aircraft sport a similar flag on the starboard side of the airframe.


12 posted on 02/09/2009 9:35:28 AM PST by AngryJawa (Obama's Success is America's Failure)
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To: CTOCS

It does appear backward if worn on the right arm. It is not an error, nor disrespect.


13 posted on 02/09/2009 9:35:31 AM PST by mnehring
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To: CTOCS
Proper display for uniforms and aircraft (not certain about ships). Left shoulder/side, proper display (stars in upper left). Right shoulder/side, mirrored (stars in upper right corner).

This is correct and is meant to depict the flag waving if both the aircraft and servicemember were advancing with the flag, thus the edge away from the pole would be to the rear.

14 posted on 02/09/2009 9:35:50 AM PST by IYAS9YAS (Obama - what you get when you mix Affirmative Action with the Peter Principle.)
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To: Domandred

You’re right. I believe the flag is to be displayed such that the union is facing “forward.” So, if worn on the right sleeve, the union indeed would be on the right. Same thing for airplanes, BTW.


15 posted on 02/09/2009 9:35:50 AM PST by rudy45
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To: CTOCS

I couldn’t imagine Don Bellisario, Exec. Producer of NCIS, getting it wrong since he is a Marine and a Republican.


16 posted on 02/09/2009 9:35:59 AM PST by peggybac (Sexual French Silk - don't erraticate me!)
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To: XeniaSt
Then put it on the other sleeve.

LOL.

17 posted on 02/09/2009 9:36:27 AM PST by Trailerpark Badass (Happiness is a choice!)
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To: CTOCS

I’m glad to see I am not the only one that notices things like this.


18 posted on 02/09/2009 9:36:46 AM PST by al_c (Avoid the consequences of erudite vernacular utilized irrespective of necessity)
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To: CTOCS

I could be mistaken but I believe this started with the WOT, I’ll have to ask my boys to be certain


19 posted on 02/09/2009 9:36:51 AM PST by boxerblues
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To: XeniaSt
Then put it on the other sleeve.

Depends on the unit and regulation. Most times the flag is on the proper sleeve. However, in some situations, due to uniform regulations, etc... the flag is worn on the right sleeve with the stars to the upper right.

20 posted on 02/09/2009 9:37:14 AM PST by IYAS9YAS (Obama - what you get when you mix Affirmative Action with the Peter Principle.)
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