Proudly display your patriotism with the tg american flag patch, the perfect way to honor the united states. Virtually any time the american flag is depicted or flown, it has the orientation seen in the following image, with the stars in the upper hoist left quarter of the flag. Jun 24, 2017 tim marshall, the author of worth dying for. Dec, 2014 the flag is worn with the appearance of being backwards on soldiers right arm to symbolize early american armies which had a flag carrier holding our flag high which looks backwards from one. Many combat veterans still wear the us flag in the reverse on hats, backpacks, and tshits, etc to let others know they are a combat vet and are proud of that fact. Ir patches brightly reflect infrared light to provide covert combat. The tricky part is finding a reverse flag that isnt hook and loop velcro.
Shop our selection of embroidered iron on flag patches. As a civilian, you should still wear the flag patch on the arm of the shirt in the same manner as soldiers and other military personnel. This is why the american flag patch is reversed on. Flag patches for the military are worn with the stars facing to the front while civilians such as fire and police officials wear flag patches with the stars facing backward. My girlfriend is in the army and i was wondering if it would be disrespectful or discouraged if i were to place a reverse american flag patch on my backpack before i go back to school. Well, several years later, ive decided to search for the answer and as it turns out, theres a pretty good reason for it. Flag patches embroidered flag patches you can sew or iron on to clothes. Is it disrespectful for a civilian to wear an american. I dont know about you, but ive always wondered that.
Why do some people wear an american flag patch backwards. If you wear the flag patch anywhere else, it can be seen as a display of disrespect. Why the american flag is reversed on military uniforms. Army regulation 6701 specifically says that in military uniforms the american flag should be displayed so that the stars are at the highest point of the uniform. While the boy scouts flag has the blue field of stars at the top left, the soldiers flag is a reversefield flag. Civilians often wonder why the us army flag patch is reversed. Dec 21, 2006 why is the american flag patch that soldiers and some law enforcement officers wear in reverse. It flies higher than all of the other flags in the united states. Tactical patches of american flag reverse, with hook and loop for backpacks caps hats jackets pants, usa us military army uniform emblems, size 3x2 inches. Just like with displaying the flag, there are rules of etiquette for the proper use of american flag patches.
Get the best deals on reverse american flag patch in other original current military patches when you shop the largest online selection at. That position has always been the right shoulder with the flag s blue stars facing forward. Why is the flag patch backwards on military uniforms. On the issue of the clothing, the section requires that the american flag patch should always be on the right of the flag. Why the american flags on military uniforms are reversed business. Why is the american flag patch that soldiers and some law. Reverse american flag patches stickers represent the opposite symbolic meaning. Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the soldiers arm like a flag pole. Army, authorized under regulation 6701 the wearing of a reversed american flag patch on. The reason has to do with proper display of the flag. According to united states army regulations, the fullcolor us flag cloth replica is worn so that the star field faces forward, or to the flag s own right. The american flag patch represents the flag and when flags fly in motion, like a parade, the field of blue is always in the front and that is the only reason the right shoulder flag patch has the field of blue reversed. Army regulation 6701 states, the american flag patch is to be worn, right or left shoulder, so. The next time you see a soldier wearing that backwards american flag, think of it as a reminder of that persons bravery.
Reverse american flag patch in other original current. The regulation states that the stars are to face forward. As the soldier moves forward, the red and white stripes will flow to the back. We all know by now that if an american flag patch or decal applied to the right sleeve or the right side of an object should always have the blue field facing forward, even if it makes the flag look backwards, because thats how the flag would look from that side when advancing forward. Army regulation 6701, wear and appearance of army uniforms and insignia, updated most recently september 5, 2003, addresses explicitly the proper and lawful placement of the u. Both featuring a flag that is reversed the two vehicles are seen to be displayed with backward american flags for the same reason of the uniforms.
Mar 11, 2014 if you look at the right sleeve of a boy scout and of a u. The gold trimmed american patches feature the traditional red, white, and blue flag that can be used on every day and official uniforms. The american flag is a symbol of freedom and a certain set of values we hold dear as a nation. The silver option doesnt use the white but instead incorporates silver as the bars and stars. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observers right, and gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward. It is designed to be sewn on for permanent attachment to your uniforms, caps, bags, or other gear. Sep 23, 2019 american military uniforms feature the u. Have you ever wondered why the american flag looks backward on military and other uniforms. This is why the american flag patch is reversed on military.
When authorized for application to the proper uniform the american flag patch is to be worn, right or left. That soldier is fighting for our freedom, and the stars always lead the way. The rule is that the blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor on the uniform. In the early stages of my army enlistment, an old family friend gave me this reverse american flag patch pictured above from a uniform he wore in the early days of the war in afghanistan. On modern us army uniforms soldiers wear the us flag patch. Heres why the american flag is reversed on military uniforms. Mar 27, 2019 have you ever wondered why the american flag looks backward on military and other uniforms. Origins of the backwards american flag patch on us military uniforms.
The truth is that only those american flag patches worn on the right shoulder appear reversed. Besides the feature of the american flag backward on military uniforms, usflagged aircraft and vehicles marked with the american flag are both no different from the uniforms. However, when the flag is displayed as a patch on the right shoulder of a military, police, or fire uniform, its orientation is rightleft reversed. The way the flag patch is worn can help you tell the difference between civilian and military officials. But the soldier on the right is wearing a normal american flag patch. According to united states army regulations, the fullcolor us flag cloth replica is worn so that the star field faces forward, or to the flags own right. The simple reason for this is that tradition dictates the flag must always be facing forward. On modern us army uniforms soldiers wear the us flag patch reversed. Mar 26, 2019 army regulation 6701 states, the american flag patch is to be worn, right or left shoulder, so that the star field faces forward, or to the flags own right.
Includes us flags with black, yellow, gray or white borders. The backwards flag is actually part of the us flag code, which applies to spacecraft, aircraft, and even service members uniform insignia. May 01, 2010 as others have said, the flag isnt backwards if you figure that flags have two sides. In reality, its position hearkens back to the civil war, and the. The one on the left is wearing a backward american flag patch. We carry a wide variety of flags but one flag we carry many different sizes and colors of and thats the american flag patches. Why is the american flag patch that soldiers and some law enforcement officers wear in reverse.
We also do have many other graphical patches of eagles and more which are embroidered in us flag. Jul 03, 2018 the backwards flag is actually part of the us flag code, which applies to spacecraft, aircraft, and even service members uniform insignia. Ir reversed american flag patch night vision patch kellac. 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. The rule dates back to the armys early history, when both mounted cavalry and infantry units would designate a standard bearer, who carried the flag into battle. 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. Heres why the american flag is put on backwards on u. Shop top fashion brands decorative patches at free delivery and returns possible on eligible purchases.
I really dont know and the last thing i would want to do is disrespect our troops and country. No, the backwards flag is actually part of the us flag code. The blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor. Full color options are available for wear on military uniforms during garrison duty, along with a subdued olive patch to be worn while on deployment or in field situations. For anyone wondering about the meaning of a backwards flag, we talk about where. The first thing to keep in mind about how to wear american flag patches on clothing is the placement. Mar 27, 2018 whoever was in charge of making the outfits really messed up. The power and politics of flags explains why american flags are reversed on military uniforms. While some may mistakenly think that a backward or reverse flag is show of disrespect, it is actually a sign of respect to display it this way on a military uniform. According to the department of defense, 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.
Why is the american flag worn backwards on soldiers uniforms. American flag patches range in size up to the large embroidered 8 x 12 patch. Why is the us flag reversed when its on an arm patch of a us military. Is it acceptable to wear a reverse flag patch as a.
Heres why the us flag sometimes appears backwards national. Its not really backwards, it is the reverse side of the flag. Choose between 24 us embroidered flag patch designs, rectangle american flag patches, shield us flag patches, and other popular us flag patch designs. This backwards flag patch stands for the opposite of what america represents, life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
Why is american flag backwards on soldiers uniform answers. This statement in the army regulations appears to be the only written description of how a patch of the flag should be worn, which makes. For flag patches worn on uniforms, the same principle applies. Both the reversed and the standard edition of us flags are fairly easy to come by the military uses the reverse, whereas civilian agencies use the standard display. First, youve got the common misperception that the reversed flag is the military version, as ive heard it called by civilians.
Why do soldiers wear a backwards american flag patch. The us flag, or any flag i think, flown upside down is a universal sign of distress. American flag wwhite border 3 12 usa patriotic iron on embroidered patch. The flag should be on the right or left shoulder so long as it faces forward. Why is the american flag reversed on military uniforms. To clarify, only the united states flag patches worn on the right shoulder are reversed. For those that dont know the reasons the reverse us flag is. Just as the us flag dips to no man or king, and you will see. The flag is worn with the appearance of being backwards on soldiers right arm to symbolize early american armies which had a flag carrier holding our flag high which looks backwards. Oct 10, 2017 when authorized for application to the proper uniform the american flag patch is to be worn, right or left shoulder. Each of these patches also has a reversed style, with the flag pattern faces opposite sides.
Weve got plenty of 3x2 inch flags including reflective versions as well. Buy american flag embroidered patch reverse gold border united states ironon emblem. Why is the american flag backward on military uniforms. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observer s right, and. The truth is that the flag patch is only reversed when it is displayed on the right shoulder because the blue field of stars. American flag embroidered patch reverse gold border united. The stars appear on the left side of the flag, where we usually see them. Mar 23, 2018 the american flag patch represents the flag and when flags fly in motion, like a parade, the field of blue is always in the front and that is the only reason the right shoulder flag patch has the field of blue reversed. Respect for the flag in the military is implicit and absolute.
This patch is designed to be worn on the right shoulder so that the flag always shows facing forward. This is a sign of respect to the flag, not a sign of disrespect to others. The army reasons that with the flag patch worn that way, it resembles a flying flag. One of the flags will, therefore, be reversed right shoulder in order to adhere to the regulation and custom of having the stars facing forward. Basically, the idea behind the backwards american flag on army uniforms is to make it look as though the flag is flying in the breeze as the person wearing it moves forward. Oct 01, 2018 if youve ever seen a service member or veteran wearing a military uniform, you may have noticed that it features the american flag patch backward. Even at the olympics, the american flag is the only one that doesnt dip to the head of state of the host country. Apr 14, 2015 the united states flag manual from the military salute project shows the american flag patch displayed with the canton always facing the viewers left on vests, jackets and jacket sleeves. Each of these patches also has a reversed style, with the flag. Nov 11, 2015 why is the american flag worn backwards on soldiers uniforms. Instead, there is deep meaning behind this alignment.
Tg american flag reversed patch tactical gear superstore. I work in a building with alot of military personnel and some law enforcment as well and they wear patches of the american flag on their uniforms. The meaning of a backwards flag tactical distributors. What does it mean when an americn flag patch is reversed. Flag patches, us flag patches, american flag patches, us flag. During the civil war, at least one soldier would be responsible for carrying the flag when. Is it acceptable to wear a reverse flag patch as a civilian. This is why us flag is reversed on military uniforms. What does a backwards black and white american flag mean. Comes with velcro hook backing for quick and easy attachment and detachment. The american flag is a symbol of freedom and a certain set of values we hold. Mar 11, 2016 army regulation 6701 states, the american flag patch is to be worn, right or left shoulder, so that the star field faces forward, or to the flags own right.
Aug 29, 2018 5 myths about the american flag what does it mean if the us flag is upside down quora upside downread more what does a backwards black and white american flag mean. Army, authorized under regulation 6701 the wearing of a reversed american flag patch on utility and. This reversed american flag patch is fully embroidered in desert colors. According to various reports, the american flag is worn backwards on u. On us army uniforms the acu is the current uniform being worn in the army, although the guidelines for which patches go on which shoulder also apply to the old bcus and dcus, the soldiers unit patch goes on their left shoulder, and the american flag goes on their rightand underneath it, combat patches. Flag patches shop embroidered flag patches thecheapplace. Thank you for your inquiry about the proper placement of the american flag on the uniform of the u. Reverse american flag patchesstickers represent the opposite symbolic meaning. Lets take a closer look at the meaning of a backward flag. We easily have at least 30 different sizes and colors of embroidered american flags. On an arm patch, you are looking at it differently, and when the soldier, or marine, or whatever, marches forward, the us flag most face forward. The stars appear on the right side of the flag, not the left. Ive always wondered why the military wore the flag patch the way they do.
Why the american flag is reversed on military uniforms business. Look down below at that picture of two brave soldiers. It is not backward it is only orienting the flag to its natural position in movement. When worn on the right sleeve, it is considered proper to reverse the design so that the union is at the. Mar 11, 2014 this backwards flag patch stands for the opposite of what america represents, life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. The flag of the united states of america has many rules and etiquette in how it. The flag is worn on the right shoulder as a position of honor. American flag patches shop us flag patches thecheapplace. Is the american flag backwards on the side of space shuttle discovery. Why is the flag backwards admin march 11, 2016 uncategorized im sure you have seen the american flag displayed backwards in many places, like on cars, airplanes, and most notably on the right shoulder of soldiers uniform. The american flag patch is to be worn, right or left shoulder, so that the star field faces forward, or to the flags own right. This is the incredible reason why the flag is backwards on. This patch features the reversed american flag in nir reflective black and white.
961 1279 1073 34 1378 993 103 1561 515 1443 579 26 1283 791 204 130 990 1545 643 1037 1454 1028 405 562 373 504 1453 1547 134 1469 492 285 658 873 23 1127 752 790 367 1359 1409 347 903 909 501