Why are the American flags backwards on the warden's uniform in Orange is the New Black?
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
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Sadly, it needed me to get to the 4th season, till I recognized, that the American flags on the warden's uniform are wrong. They have the stars in the upper right corner, instead upleft.
Is there a reason for this?
costume orange-is-the-new-black
add a comment |Â
up vote
39
down vote
favorite
Sadly, it needed me to get to the 4th season, till I recognized, that the American flags on the warden's uniform are wrong. They have the stars in the upper right corner, instead upleft.
Is there a reason for this?
costume orange-is-the-new-black
3
Relevant: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…
– zzzzBov
14 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
39
down vote
favorite
up vote
39
down vote
favorite
Sadly, it needed me to get to the 4th season, till I recognized, that the American flags on the warden's uniform are wrong. They have the stars in the upper right corner, instead upleft.
Is there a reason for this?
costume orange-is-the-new-black
Sadly, it needed me to get to the 4th season, till I recognized, that the American flags on the warden's uniform are wrong. They have the stars in the upper right corner, instead upleft.
Is there a reason for this?
costume orange-is-the-new-black
costume orange-is-the-new-black
edited 13 mins ago
Community♦
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asked yesterday


Oliver Friedrich
32336
32336
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Relevant: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…
– zzzzBov
14 hours ago
add a comment |Â
3
Relevant: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…
– zzzzBov
14 hours ago
3
3
Relevant: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…
– zzzzBov
14 hours ago
Relevant: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…
– zzzzBov
14 hours ago
add a comment |Â
1 Answer
1
active
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up vote
97
down vote
It's traditional (but not required except in the military) for the US flag to be represented as flowing backwards as the person moves forwards.
Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the Soldier's arm like a flag pole. As the Soldier moves forward, the red and white stripes will flow to the back.
This article explains it better than I can.
Civilians often wonder why the US Army Flag Patch is reversed. The answer is: not all Army Flag Patches are reversed, but only those worn on the right shoulder. The reason has to do with proper display of the flag.
The blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor. When viewing the flag on a wall, the highest position of honor is the upper left when displayed horizontally, and at the top (upper left) when displayed vertically. When displayed on a "moving object" like a person or vehicle, the highest position of honor is the front, and not the rear; so the field of blue should be displayed to the front.
In application, then, flags are displayed on moving vehicles with the blue-star field always displayed towards the front of the vehicle. In this way, the flag appears to be blowing in the wind as the vehicle travels forward (flags are always attached to their flag poles on the blue field side). If the flag were not reversed on the right hand side of the vehicle, the vehicle might appear to be moving backwards (or "retreating").
The next time you visit an airport, notice that the US-flagged aircraft also have a "reverse" flag painted on the right side of the aircraft.
For flag patches worn on uniforms, the same principle applies: the blue star field always faces towards the front, with the red and white stripes behind.
Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the Soldier's arm like a flag pole. As the Soldier moves forward, the red and white stripes will flow to the back.
2
Moving the last sentence to the top may help... it succinctly captures the essence of the rest of the answer
– TripeHound
20 hours ago
Makes you think... military uniform designers could have prevented endless confusion by simply placing the flag patch on the left arm instead of the right. :-)
– TylerH
18 hours ago
6
@TylerH the quote says: "The answer is: not all Army Flag Patches are reversed, but only those worn on the right shoulder." This implies that US army flag patches are worn on both shoulders.
– M. A. Golding
16 hours ago
6
@M.A.Golding No, it implies that US army flag patches are worn in locations other than the right shoulder. It does not imply that the other option is solely the left shoulder. It is of course possible (and documented historical fact) that some military uniform designs display the US flag on the left shoulder, but the point of the comment was to indicate a trivially avoidable point of confusion for countless observers.
– TylerH
15 hours ago
4
The reason I heard someone from the military give was "if it weren't like it is it would look like we are retreating".
– Captain Man
14 hours ago
 |Â
show 7 more comments
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
97
down vote
It's traditional (but not required except in the military) for the US flag to be represented as flowing backwards as the person moves forwards.
Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the Soldier's arm like a flag pole. As the Soldier moves forward, the red and white stripes will flow to the back.
This article explains it better than I can.
Civilians often wonder why the US Army Flag Patch is reversed. The answer is: not all Army Flag Patches are reversed, but only those worn on the right shoulder. The reason has to do with proper display of the flag.
The blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor. When viewing the flag on a wall, the highest position of honor is the upper left when displayed horizontally, and at the top (upper left) when displayed vertically. When displayed on a "moving object" like a person or vehicle, the highest position of honor is the front, and not the rear; so the field of blue should be displayed to the front.
In application, then, flags are displayed on moving vehicles with the blue-star field always displayed towards the front of the vehicle. In this way, the flag appears to be blowing in the wind as the vehicle travels forward (flags are always attached to their flag poles on the blue field side). If the flag were not reversed on the right hand side of the vehicle, the vehicle might appear to be moving backwards (or "retreating").
The next time you visit an airport, notice that the US-flagged aircraft also have a "reverse" flag painted on the right side of the aircraft.
For flag patches worn on uniforms, the same principle applies: the blue star field always faces towards the front, with the red and white stripes behind.
Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the Soldier's arm like a flag pole. As the Soldier moves forward, the red and white stripes will flow to the back.
2
Moving the last sentence to the top may help... it succinctly captures the essence of the rest of the answer
– TripeHound
20 hours ago
Makes you think... military uniform designers could have prevented endless confusion by simply placing the flag patch on the left arm instead of the right. :-)
– TylerH
18 hours ago
6
@TylerH the quote says: "The answer is: not all Army Flag Patches are reversed, but only those worn on the right shoulder." This implies that US army flag patches are worn on both shoulders.
– M. A. Golding
16 hours ago
6
@M.A.Golding No, it implies that US army flag patches are worn in locations other than the right shoulder. It does not imply that the other option is solely the left shoulder. It is of course possible (and documented historical fact) that some military uniform designs display the US flag on the left shoulder, but the point of the comment was to indicate a trivially avoidable point of confusion for countless observers.
– TylerH
15 hours ago
4
The reason I heard someone from the military give was "if it weren't like it is it would look like we are retreating".
– Captain Man
14 hours ago
 |Â
show 7 more comments
up vote
97
down vote
It's traditional (but not required except in the military) for the US flag to be represented as flowing backwards as the person moves forwards.
Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the Soldier's arm like a flag pole. As the Soldier moves forward, the red and white stripes will flow to the back.
This article explains it better than I can.
Civilians often wonder why the US Army Flag Patch is reversed. The answer is: not all Army Flag Patches are reversed, but only those worn on the right shoulder. The reason has to do with proper display of the flag.
The blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor. When viewing the flag on a wall, the highest position of honor is the upper left when displayed horizontally, and at the top (upper left) when displayed vertically. When displayed on a "moving object" like a person or vehicle, the highest position of honor is the front, and not the rear; so the field of blue should be displayed to the front.
In application, then, flags are displayed on moving vehicles with the blue-star field always displayed towards the front of the vehicle. In this way, the flag appears to be blowing in the wind as the vehicle travels forward (flags are always attached to their flag poles on the blue field side). If the flag were not reversed on the right hand side of the vehicle, the vehicle might appear to be moving backwards (or "retreating").
The next time you visit an airport, notice that the US-flagged aircraft also have a "reverse" flag painted on the right side of the aircraft.
For flag patches worn on uniforms, the same principle applies: the blue star field always faces towards the front, with the red and white stripes behind.
Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the Soldier's arm like a flag pole. As the Soldier moves forward, the red and white stripes will flow to the back.
2
Moving the last sentence to the top may help... it succinctly captures the essence of the rest of the answer
– TripeHound
20 hours ago
Makes you think... military uniform designers could have prevented endless confusion by simply placing the flag patch on the left arm instead of the right. :-)
– TylerH
18 hours ago
6
@TylerH the quote says: "The answer is: not all Army Flag Patches are reversed, but only those worn on the right shoulder." This implies that US army flag patches are worn on both shoulders.
– M. A. Golding
16 hours ago
6
@M.A.Golding No, it implies that US army flag patches are worn in locations other than the right shoulder. It does not imply that the other option is solely the left shoulder. It is of course possible (and documented historical fact) that some military uniform designs display the US flag on the left shoulder, but the point of the comment was to indicate a trivially avoidable point of confusion for countless observers.
– TylerH
15 hours ago
4
The reason I heard someone from the military give was "if it weren't like it is it would look like we are retreating".
– Captain Man
14 hours ago
 |Â
show 7 more comments
up vote
97
down vote
up vote
97
down vote
It's traditional (but not required except in the military) for the US flag to be represented as flowing backwards as the person moves forwards.
Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the Soldier's arm like a flag pole. As the Soldier moves forward, the red and white stripes will flow to the back.
This article explains it better than I can.
Civilians often wonder why the US Army Flag Patch is reversed. The answer is: not all Army Flag Patches are reversed, but only those worn on the right shoulder. The reason has to do with proper display of the flag.
The blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor. When viewing the flag on a wall, the highest position of honor is the upper left when displayed horizontally, and at the top (upper left) when displayed vertically. When displayed on a "moving object" like a person or vehicle, the highest position of honor is the front, and not the rear; so the field of blue should be displayed to the front.
In application, then, flags are displayed on moving vehicles with the blue-star field always displayed towards the front of the vehicle. In this way, the flag appears to be blowing in the wind as the vehicle travels forward (flags are always attached to their flag poles on the blue field side). If the flag were not reversed on the right hand side of the vehicle, the vehicle might appear to be moving backwards (or "retreating").
The next time you visit an airport, notice that the US-flagged aircraft also have a "reverse" flag painted on the right side of the aircraft.
For flag patches worn on uniforms, the same principle applies: the blue star field always faces towards the front, with the red and white stripes behind.
Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the Soldier's arm like a flag pole. As the Soldier moves forward, the red and white stripes will flow to the back.
It's traditional (but not required except in the military) for the US flag to be represented as flowing backwards as the person moves forwards.
Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the Soldier's arm like a flag pole. As the Soldier moves forward, the red and white stripes will flow to the back.
This article explains it better than I can.
Civilians often wonder why the US Army Flag Patch is reversed. The answer is: not all Army Flag Patches are reversed, but only those worn on the right shoulder. The reason has to do with proper display of the flag.
The blue field of stars should always be in the highest position of honor. When viewing the flag on a wall, the highest position of honor is the upper left when displayed horizontally, and at the top (upper left) when displayed vertically. When displayed on a "moving object" like a person or vehicle, the highest position of honor is the front, and not the rear; so the field of blue should be displayed to the front.
In application, then, flags are displayed on moving vehicles with the blue-star field always displayed towards the front of the vehicle. In this way, the flag appears to be blowing in the wind as the vehicle travels forward (flags are always attached to their flag poles on the blue field side). If the flag were not reversed on the right hand side of the vehicle, the vehicle might appear to be moving backwards (or "retreating").
The next time you visit an airport, notice that the US-flagged aircraft also have a "reverse" flag painted on the right side of the aircraft.
For flag patches worn on uniforms, the same principle applies: the blue star field always faces towards the front, with the red and white stripes behind.
Think of the flag, not as a patch, but as a loose flag attached to the Soldier's arm like a flag pole. As the Soldier moves forward, the red and white stripes will flow to the back.
edited 48 mins ago
answered yesterday


Paulie_D
76.1k14266256
76.1k14266256
2
Moving the last sentence to the top may help... it succinctly captures the essence of the rest of the answer
– TripeHound
20 hours ago
Makes you think... military uniform designers could have prevented endless confusion by simply placing the flag patch on the left arm instead of the right. :-)
– TylerH
18 hours ago
6
@TylerH the quote says: "The answer is: not all Army Flag Patches are reversed, but only those worn on the right shoulder." This implies that US army flag patches are worn on both shoulders.
– M. A. Golding
16 hours ago
6
@M.A.Golding No, it implies that US army flag patches are worn in locations other than the right shoulder. It does not imply that the other option is solely the left shoulder. It is of course possible (and documented historical fact) that some military uniform designs display the US flag on the left shoulder, but the point of the comment was to indicate a trivially avoidable point of confusion for countless observers.
– TylerH
15 hours ago
4
The reason I heard someone from the military give was "if it weren't like it is it would look like we are retreating".
– Captain Man
14 hours ago
 |Â
show 7 more comments
2
Moving the last sentence to the top may help... it succinctly captures the essence of the rest of the answer
– TripeHound
20 hours ago
Makes you think... military uniform designers could have prevented endless confusion by simply placing the flag patch on the left arm instead of the right. :-)
– TylerH
18 hours ago
6
@TylerH the quote says: "The answer is: not all Army Flag Patches are reversed, but only those worn on the right shoulder." This implies that US army flag patches are worn on both shoulders.
– M. A. Golding
16 hours ago
6
@M.A.Golding No, it implies that US army flag patches are worn in locations other than the right shoulder. It does not imply that the other option is solely the left shoulder. It is of course possible (and documented historical fact) that some military uniform designs display the US flag on the left shoulder, but the point of the comment was to indicate a trivially avoidable point of confusion for countless observers.
– TylerH
15 hours ago
4
The reason I heard someone from the military give was "if it weren't like it is it would look like we are retreating".
– Captain Man
14 hours ago
2
2
Moving the last sentence to the top may help... it succinctly captures the essence of the rest of the answer
– TripeHound
20 hours ago
Moving the last sentence to the top may help... it succinctly captures the essence of the rest of the answer
– TripeHound
20 hours ago
Makes you think... military uniform designers could have prevented endless confusion by simply placing the flag patch on the left arm instead of the right. :-)
– TylerH
18 hours ago
Makes you think... military uniform designers could have prevented endless confusion by simply placing the flag patch on the left arm instead of the right. :-)
– TylerH
18 hours ago
6
6
@TylerH the quote says: "The answer is: not all Army Flag Patches are reversed, but only those worn on the right shoulder." This implies that US army flag patches are worn on both shoulders.
– M. A. Golding
16 hours ago
@TylerH the quote says: "The answer is: not all Army Flag Patches are reversed, but only those worn on the right shoulder." This implies that US army flag patches are worn on both shoulders.
– M. A. Golding
16 hours ago
6
6
@M.A.Golding No, it implies that US army flag patches are worn in locations other than the right shoulder. It does not imply that the other option is solely the left shoulder. It is of course possible (and documented historical fact) that some military uniform designs display the US flag on the left shoulder, but the point of the comment was to indicate a trivially avoidable point of confusion for countless observers.
– TylerH
15 hours ago
@M.A.Golding No, it implies that US army flag patches are worn in locations other than the right shoulder. It does not imply that the other option is solely the left shoulder. It is of course possible (and documented historical fact) that some military uniform designs display the US flag on the left shoulder, but the point of the comment was to indicate a trivially avoidable point of confusion for countless observers.
– TylerH
15 hours ago
4
4
The reason I heard someone from the military give was "if it weren't like it is it would look like we are retreating".
– Captain Man
14 hours ago
The reason I heard someone from the military give was "if it weren't like it is it would look like we are retreating".
– Captain Man
14 hours ago
 |Â
show 7 more comments
3
Relevant: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…
– zzzzBov
14 hours ago