Got a question here

[Tiny Tim]

Okay, I was watching the news last night and they did a story about a gradeschool class sending stuff to Iraq for the Iraqi students, and a soldier was the liason between them.  I noticed on his right shoulder was a US flag, but it was "backwards" (the field of blue with the stars was in the upper right corner).

I've read on flag etiquette before, and thought it said that the flag should be displayed with the field of blue in the upper left if only one side was to be visible.

Did something change, or did I not read it right, or is there something I missed in reading that?

I'm only asking because I thought it was odd.  I've also noticed it other times, but this time curiosity just got the better of me.

[boxertrio]

Stars right...ocupation flag

Stars left...in country flag....or visa versa, been to long

[Tiny Tim]

Stars right...ocupation flag

Stars left...in country flag....or visa versa, been to long

That makes sense...thank you.

[Kummok]

Good observation TinyTim.....here's the actual section out of US Army Reg 670-1 'Wear and Appearance of Army Uniform and Insignia'.....pay particular attention to "(2)" below.

28–18. Wear of full-color U.S. flag cloth replica
a. General. All soldiers throughout the Force, regardless of deployment status, will wear the full-color U.S. flag
cloth replica on utility and organizational uniforms.
240 AR 670–1 • 3 February 2005
b. Description. The colors of the U.S. flag cloth replica are red, white, and blue. The size is approximately 2 inches
by 3 inches.
c. How worn.
(1) When approved for wear, the full-color U.S. flag cloth replica is sewn 1?2 inch below the right shoulder seam of
the temperate, hot-weather, enhanced hot-weather, and desert BDU; the BDU field jacket; and the cold-weather
uniform (see fig 28–135). If the SSI–FWTS is worn on the right shoulder of the utility uniform, the full-color U.S. flag
cloth replica is placed 1?8 inch below the right shoulder sleeve insignia (see fig 28–136). The SSI–FWTS is not
authorized for wear on organizational uniforms, unless indicated above.
Figure 28–135. Wear of full-color flag cloth replica, right sleeve
Figure 28–136. Wear of shoulder sleeve insignia-former wartime service, with flag replica, right sleeve
(2) The full-color U.S. flag cloth replica is worn 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.


The explanation is essentially this.......
Only the flag patches affixed to right shoulders of uniforms are reversed, so the blue field of stars faces forward. (Left shoulder patches aren't a problem, as the stars face forward without meddling.) The reversal was inspired by the age-old practice of carrying flags into battle. When fastened to a standard, the American flag's blue-and-white portion is always closest to the pole. A flag bearer rushing into the fray, then, would naturally lead with the stars. In fact, it would be virtually impossible to lead with the stripes-the flag would simply wilt and wrap around the pole, rather than waving triumphantly in the wind.

For a service man or women to lead with shoulder-borne stripes, then, might smack of cowardice and retreat, as if the toter were backpedaling away from the conflict.....kind of like some of our, well, I won't go there today...too much work to get done on my cabin...... ;) ;D

[Tiny Tim]

That makes sense as well, thank you Kummok.

I knew there had to be a reason, but could not come up with one on my own.