US Flag - reversed

[muttguru]

My brother Bill bought a USAF current issue CWU 45/P flight jacket recently. It's the genuine article, not a repro. In the pocket was a small US flag which velcros to the jacket. The odd thing is that the flag is "reversed"....the stars are on the right-hand-side of the patch, like a mirror image.
Can any of you fly-boy types explain why the flag is reversed? I've seen pictures on the web showing examples of this, but no explanation as to why.
Thanks guys....
Ken

[Stagg]

The flag orientation is based on which shoulder you wear it.
The theory being, the flag should look like it is "moving forward."

It would make more sense if you were a flagpole

[Mr. Recovery]

That is so it can be worn on the right shoulder or right breast pocket. ( I think )

[muttguru]

Dan and Stagg.............
thanks for that. I know that you guys treat your flag with far more reverence than us Brits treat ours..... that's why I was surprised to see the S & S modified in this way....
Now I know
Ken

[Stagg]

Well, some of us treat it with reverence due the symbol of the country.... others seem hell bent on doing the exact opposite.

[Elvis Presley]

It is also turned to signify that someone has been deployed to a combat area.

When you're about to deploy, you get the reversed flag.

[muttguru]

It is also turned to signify that someone has been deployed to a combat area.
When you're about to deploy, you get the reversed flag.

Thanks for that. My bro goes everywhere in his jacket now. I probably wouldn't recognise him if he took it off

Ken