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?
for years.. Thanks for posting.. and noticing.
It’s the little things that bite ya the hardest in the end.
combat patchs on the BDU are backwards and is authentic
I detest the misuse of the flag, especially flying it with another flag on the same flag pole.
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.
Makes sense, to me at least.
Then put it on the other sleeve.
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).
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.
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.
Mine wasn’t, and I wore them on 4 separate uniform articles when I was on active duty.
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.
It does appear backward if worn on the right arm. It is not an error, nor disrespect.
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.
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.
I couldn’t imagine Don Bellisario, Exec. Producer of NCIS, getting it wrong since he is a Marine and a Republican.
LOL.
I’m glad to see I am not the only one that notices things like this.
I could be mistaken but I believe this started with the WOT, I’ll have to ask my boys to be certain
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.
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