Direction of American Flag

[blgoode]

Okay, maybe its just me but everytime I see an American Flag on the shoulder of a uniform I want to see the stars on the left side with the strips facing forward(on your right shoulder) or the bars facing back(on your left shoulder).
Thats how my uniform was in the scouts. Can some one fill me in onwhats correct? I see more and more flags with the blue/ stars on the right side.

Thanks,

 

[basknives]

This might be helpful:

Why is the Flag patch "backwards" on Military uniforms?
Following is a quote from the Department of Defense website...

"Thank you for your inquiry about the proper placement of the American flag on the uniform of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Army Regulation 670-1, “Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia,” updated most recently September 5, 2003, addresses explicitly the proper and lawful placement of the U.S. flag patch on the Army uniform.

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. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observer’s right, and gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward. The appropriate replica for the right shoulder sleeve is identified as the ‘reverse side flag’.”

We appreciate and share your concern for the respectful display of our American flag on the uniform of the U.S. Armed Forces."

For more information on Army Regulation 670-1 please visit the following web
site, http://www.usapa.army.mil/pdffiles/r670_1.pdf


Check out for more info:
http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html

 

[Chiro75]

Here is what I found from someone who sounds like he knows what he's talking about:

Flag patches affixed to right shoulders of uniforms are reversed, so that the union (stars) faces forward. The reversal was inspired by the age-old practice of carrying flags into battle. When fastened to a standard, the American flag's union (stars) is always closest to the pole. A flag bearer rushing into the fray, then, would naturally lead with the stars.

The official Army guidelines on the donning of flag patches add that the forward-facing stars give "the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward." That means that every soldier is also a flag bearer, leading the headlong charge into battle.

 

[blgoode]

ahhh...then I guess the patches we had in the Scouts were incorrect.

Thanks! MAkes me less frustrated when I see it worn the right way now

 

[ddavelarsen]

That's a good reason to wear the flag the way it's done on the uniform, stars leading, soldier a flag bearer. But Brian I know what you mean, I always want to read the flag from left to right too.