"Why is your flag backwards?" by Dennis R. Garrett
WHY IS THE FLAG BACKWARDS ON MILITARY UNIFORMS?
WHY IS THE FLAG BACKWARDS ON MILITARY UNIFORMS?
WHY IS THE FLAG BACKWARDS ON MILITARY UNIFORMS?
If you’re just getting started in military life or looking to join up, getting your uniform is going to be one of the first items on the to-do list. If you’re not already familiar with the U.S. military uniform, one particular element may take you by surprise – the American flag patch. What should be a simple symbol of our country often ends up being confusing for many when they find out that the flag is actually backwards on uniforms. So what gives? Why is the flag backwards on military uniforms?
More like this:
What Is the Meaning of Flag Day? Celebrating the Stars and Stripes
Is the Backwards Flag an Error?
Why is the flag on military uniforms backwards? Was it a weird mistake?
Nope! It’s not a weird sewing or printing problem that the military just never bothered to fix. None of the images of American soldiers with backwards flags on their uniforms are flipped, edited in software, or otherwise manipulated disingenuously, either.
Now that we have that out of the way… You’ve noticed that the American flag patch on military uniforms is flipped the wrong way – with the field of stars facing the front. To understand the reasoning behind this, it’s important that you understand more about the American flag itself.
Source: https://mybaseguide.com/backwards-flag
The American Flag in Battle
WHY IS THE FLAG BACKWARDS ON MILITARY UNIFORMS?
WHY IS THE FLAG BACKWARDS ON MILITARY UNIFORMS?
Back in the days of the Civil War, flag bearers were common military positions within the greater infantry and cavalry units. As the flag bearers stormed into battle, the American flag would sway behind them with the momentum, making it look like the flag was backwards as it flew.
Okay, so what? Why is the flag backwards on a military uniform?
When the star field is first and foremost, it looks like the flag itself is storming into battle, much like our brave service men and women.
If the flag were not mirrored on the Y axis, the star field would be on the left, making it look like the flag was retreating from battle instead of facing it head-on.
This backwards American flag is called the Assaulting Forward.
Of course, America has never been a cowardly country, so we can’t have any iconography whatsoever that would make it look like we were retreating even in the slightest.
The flag faces forward for the battle the same as our troops do.
"Always Assaulting Forward, Never Retreating."
WHY IS THE FLAG BACKWARDS ON MILITARY UNIFORMS?
"Always Assaulting Forward, Never Retreating."
RANGER CREED
Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of the Rangers.
Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite Soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster and fight harder than any other Soldier.
Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one-hundred-percent and then some.
Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well-trained Soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.
Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.
Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission though I be the lone survivor.
Rangers lead the way!
https://www.army.mil/values/ranger.html
Sua Sponte, Latin for Of their own accord is the 75th Ranger Regiment's Regimental motto. Contemporary rangers are triple-volunteers: for the U.S. Army, for Airborne School, and for service in the 75th Ranger Regiment.
https://suaspontefoundation.org/our-mission/
Contributed by a U.S. Army Veteran as a Public Service.
President Donald J. Trump Awards the Medal of Honor
President Donald J. Trump to Award the Medal of Honor VETERANS Issued on: September 3, 2020
NOTE to Citizens: The current White House admins and occupants have Removed and Attempted to Delete, Erase, Shred, Hide, Bury this page from the the "Official White House Site", but they cannot Censor The Truth.
404 / Page Not Found
We couldn’t find that page. Back to home.
Awwww! Poor widdle President of What and all the 'presidents men'? Here ya go, "Chief." Y'all ain't learned that you cannot just hit that 'delete' key and say: "Close enough for Government work! That'll fool them!" It just shows your "Character", and your Policy towards United States Veterans. Oh, "Hunter's Laptops."
However, We Swore the Oath and Meant It, while you use our words, our Creed, our Code of Conduct and Honor, as a punch line. And it is because of our Sacrifice, something you know nothing about, so that you may exercise your 1st Amendment Rights, which you've probably Ordered Deleted also, and question the manner in which we provide you with that Freedom.
And, I'm putting The Entire Citation on this Page!
And while I'm Just Gettin Warmed Up! Here is the Scary Comic of a True American Hero, they don't want you to see, and no wonder, this is a Man, and not a "Major mentally-ill Tranny!"
And next: A Very Special Page, that will Highlight exactly and most graphically, how The Troops view 'the president.'
I believe The American Public will be Most Informed!
https://www.army.mil/e2/images/rv7/medalofhonor/payne/graphics/moh_payne_story_hi_rez.pdf
The mission which was a joint operation between the United States Special Forces and the Kurdish Special Forces was chaotic from the start. Usually when it comes to military awards, we read the citation and might get a book later which goes into more detail. Sometimes, as in the case of Black Hawk Down, we get a movie. But the United States Army decided to give us an amazing visual on the mission via graphic illustrations.
That's right, we can see how the rescue mission unfolded that night as Payne, his fellow Delta commandos and the Kurds went in and saved the lives of the hostages.
Jessup: You can't handle the truth!
Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lieutenant Weinberg?
I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know, that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives!
You don't want the truth, because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.
We use words like "honor", "code", "loyalty". We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline.
I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it!
I would rather you just said "thank you", and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!
President Donald J. Trump to Award the Medal of Honor
On September 11, 2020, President Donald J. Trump will award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major Thomas P. Payne, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry.
On October 22, 2015, during a daring nighttime hostage rescue in Kirkuk Province, Iraq, in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, then-Sergeant First Class Payne led a combined assault team charged with clearing one of two buildings known to house hostages.
With speed, audacity, and courage, he first led his team as they quickly cleared the assigned building, liberating 38 hostages. Then, upon hearing a request for additional assault team members to assist with clearing the other building, Sergeant Payne, on his own initiative, left his secured position. He exposed himself to enemy fire as he bounded across the compound to the other building from which enemy forces were engaging his comrades.
Sergeant Payne climbed a ladder to the building’s roof, which was now partially engulfed in flames, and engaged the enemy fighters below with grenades and small arms fire. He then moved to ground level, engaging enemy forces through a breach hole in the west side of the building.
Knowing time was running out for the hostages trapped inside the burning building, Sergeant Payne moved to the building’s main entrance, from which heavy enemy fire had thwarted previous attempts to enter.
Sergeant Payne knowingly risked his own life by bravely entering the building under intense enemy fire, enduring smoke, heat, and flames to identify the armored door imprisoning the hostages. Upon exiting, Sergeant Payne exchanged his rifle for bolt cutters and again entered the building, ignoring the enemy rounds impacting the walls around him as he cut the locks on a complex locking mechanism. His courageous actions motivated the coalition assault team members to enter the breach and assist with cutting the locks.
After exiting to catch his breath, he reentered the building to make the final lock cuts, freeing 37 hostages. Sergeant Payne then facilitated the evacuation of the hostages despite being ordered to evacuate the collapsing building himself, which was now structurally unsound due to the fire.
Sergeant Payne then reentered the burning building one last time to ensure everyone had been evacuated. He consciously exposed himself to enemy automatic gunfire each time he entered the building.
Sergeant Payne’s extraordinary heroism and selfless actions were key to liberating 75 hostages during a contested rescue mission that resulted in 20 enemy fighters killed in action.
PERSONAL BACKGROUND:
Sergeant Major Payne is part of the 9/11 generation and joined the Army out of a sense of patriotism and duty to serve his country. Service is a theme in Sergeant Major Payne’s family. His wife Alison is a nurse, his father is a police officer, and his two brothers serve in the Army and Air Force. Growing up in Batesburg-Leesville and Lugoff, South Carolina, Sergeant Major Payne comes from what he characterizes as “small-town America,” and his connection to his home state is a strong part of his personal identity.
Sergeant Major Payne entered into the Army on July 25, 2002, received initial entry training as an Infantryman, and subsequently became an Army Ranger assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment in 2003. In 2010, then-Sergeant First Class Payne was wounded in Afghanistan from a grenade blast. While recovering from his wounds in South Carolina, he met his wife Alison at Lake Murray. Sergeant Major Payne overcame the near career-ending injury and went on to win the 2012 Best Ranger Competition with his teammate.
Throughout his career, Sergeant Major Payne has deployed in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, INHERENT RESOLVE, RESOLUTE SUPPORT, and with the United States Africa Command while serving as a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment and holding various positions within the United States Army Special Operations Command.
Additional Information
THE MEDAL OF HONOR:
The Medal of Honor is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty while:
- engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
- engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
- serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
The meritorious conduct must involve great personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his or her comrades and must have involved risk of life. There must be incontestable proof of the performance of the meritorious conduct, and each recommendation for the award must be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit.
PRESS CREDENTIALING:
Additional information about media credentials will be released at a later date.
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