If you’ve noticed that the American flag appears backward on some uniforms, there’s a significant reason behind it.
The US flag has long been a symbol of the nation and its states, but you might miss this detail unless you take a closer look.
From law enforcement to military uniforms, you might observe that the flag isn’t positioned traditionally, with the stars on the left side.
There’s a specific justification for this orientation.
When someone on Reddit posed the question, several users quickly provided an explanation.
The user queried: “Anyone know why the American flags are backwards on their uniforms? It’s always bothered me and I truly don’t know why lol”.
At a quick glance, it might seem as if an error was made during manufacturing, but that’s not the case.
The National Air and Space Museum, along with commenters, clarify that this relates to the US Flag Code. The Flag Code is a set of guidelines for the American flag, detailing how and where it should be displayed.
The code is applicable to spacecraft, aircraft, and the insignia on service members’ uniforms.
According to United States Army regulations: “The full-color US flag cloth replica is worn so that the star field faces forward, or to the flag’s own right.”
This means the flag should appear to be flying forward, not trailing behind.
When worn on the left shoulder, the flag appears as if it’s blowing in the wind on a flagpole. However, on the right sleeve, the flag looks like it’s flowing backward.
To correct this, the stars are repositioned to the opposite side, giving the flag a forward-facing appearance.
According to Eagle Mountain, a store specializing in American flags and flagpoles, American paratroopers historically wore backward flag patches to differentiate themselves from enemy forces, especially when landing behind enemy lines.
The tradition of the backward flag dates back to the Civil War.
During the war, flag bearers would carry the flag into battle, and as they advanced, the flag flew in the wind, symbolizing the bravery and commitment of the troops.
In 2003, the military standardized the backward flag patch on uniforms so that it always appears like a flag flying forward, regardless of which arm it is on.
A Redditor summarized this for the original poster, stating: “It’s because the flag is in a forward/advancing position and the stars that represent the states have the highest position of honor.
“Imagine holding the flag on a pole and moving forward, the flag flows out behind you with the stars at the forefront and the stripes trailing after it. If it’s reversed the flag is considered to be in retreat.”
Another user simplified it: “Easy explanation: the stars are never supposed to retreat.”
It’s quite an interesting explanation.