Why flag backwards on uniform

There are no U. Space Force debuted its uniforms in and they wear the U. Code that governs the flag allows military personnel to wear the U. Right or left, there is nothing in the law that states which side is mandatory. The military services have issued regulations that help guide their members on how to wear the flag, but rest assured, whether it is the right or left sleeve, both are right.

But even with laws and regulations guiding, there are still questions about why is the American flag backwards on military uniforms? The Army, which is primarily a ground assault organization, chose to have its personnel wear their flag on the right shoulder sleeve.

As the soldier moves forward the flag appears to be moving forward with him or her, like days of old in the Civil War when flags were carried into battle. It shows the Army, the nation, the flag, advancing. It is important to note, when displayed on a person, vehicle, aircraft or even spaceship, the highest position of honor is the front and not the rear. The field of blue should be displayed to the front.

On presidential motorcades, for example, U. As the car drives by, depending on where a person is standing, the flag might look as if it is reversed, but it is not. The union is moving forward just like on the Army uniform. Similarly, Air Force One has a U. One of those flags is a reverse flag the one on the right side of the plane. If the flag were painted on the right side of the plane with union field facing the tail end, non-reversed, the stripes side of the flag would be facing front and thus appearing to retreat.

If you look at a member in profile, the canton —the rectangle with the stars—is on the right. Not really. When a service member marches or walks forward, they assume the position of a flagpole, with the flag sewn on their uniform meant to resemble a flag flapping in the breeze.

With the canton on the right, the flag would be fluttering behind them. If it were depicted with the canton on the left, the flag would be flying backward—as though it had been hung by the stripes instead of the stars nearest to the pole.

The position of the flag is noted in Army Regulation , mandating the star field should face forward. Now that we know where to find a backward flag, let's talk about why it is backward and how that is not a show of disrespect as you may suspect. A backward flag is only seen on the right shoulder of the uniformed professional. The reason for this is because the stars on the flag should be displayed in high position meaning the stars are always placed so they are in the top left corner when displayed.

If the flag patch is being worn on the right shoulder, there is no way for the stars to be in the left-hand corner, so the new position becomes front as the prominent placement meaning stars are placed at the front of the design so to speak rather than in the left corner.

While part of it has to do with the placement of the stars, it also has to do with the fact that the flag patch should look like the flag is flying in the wind and this placement helps with that purpose when worn on the right shoulder of a uniform.