What Color Is the Reverse Side Flag on Uniforms? While the red, white, and blue colors are a crucial aspect of the American flag, you may have noticed that not all U.S. flag military patches display them. The American flag patch is almost always worn on the right shoulder of military uniforms as a symbol of respect and dedication.
Therefore, on the uniform of military personnel, the blue field of stars on the U.S. flag patch must be "reversed" so that its position is in front as troops move forward. What does a reverse colored American flag mean? When assaulting forward, the star field is always to the front as the red and white stripes flow to the back in the breeze.
Today, the reverse flag is worn on the right sleeve of military uniforms and symbolizes the courage and respect of the soldiers who serve. How are flags worn on Army uniforms? The reverse American Flag patch goes on the right side (sleeve) of the uniform with the blue star field in the highest position of honor. The flag patch on uniforms pays homage and represents the flag flying backwards while charging into battle.
The Fort Mercer Flag is a variant of the American flag flown at Fort Mercer around 1777 during the American Revolution. [1] This unique flag had inverted colors similar to that of the Serapis flag. The Symbolic Significance The "reversed" flag on military uniforms carries profound symbolic meaning.
It represents the military's unwavering commitment to forward momentum and never retreating. The stars leading the way signify that the flag, and by extension the nation, is always advancing with its service members. At first glance, this can be confusing for civilians who are used to viewing the American flag with the blue star field, or canton, in the top left corner rather than the top right.
However, there is an important reason why the American flag has a reversed appearance on military uniforms. According to the Defense Department, the U.S. flag is worn so that the star field faces forward, or to the flag's right.
When worn, the flag is facing the observer's right and gives the effect of the flag flying as the wearer moves forward. But people think it is a backwards American flag. Why the confusion? Read on.
The truth is that only those American flag patches worn on the right shoulder appear reversed; on the left shoulder, the patch appears in its usual, accepted position (blue field in the upper left). The simple reason for this is that tradition dictates the flag must always be facing forward. It cannot ever be seen as if it were in retreat.
The flag is regulation-sized (3×5 feet) and totally official, except that I reversed the colors: the blue star field turned light yellow, red turned turquoise, and white turned black.