.🇺🇸 The Flag on Soldiers’ Sleeves Looks \’Wrong’—But Now It All Makes Sense 😳 You\’ve probably seen it countless times: the American flag patch on military uniforms appearing reversed. Is it a mistake? A design flaw? The truth behind this peculiar detail is rooted in tradition and symbolism that dates back centuries, and I had NO idea

**Why the American Flag Looks Backward on Uniforms (Short Version)**

Ever noticed the U.S. flag appears backward on military or police uniforms? It’s not a mistake—it’s symbolic.

According to the U.S. Flag Code and Army regulations, the flag patch is worn so the **star field faces forward**, symbolizing the flag flying in the wind as the wearer moves ahead. This represents **advancement, not retreat**.

When on the **right shoulder**, the flag appears reversed to maintain that “moving forward” look—just like a flag waving as someone marches.

The tradition dates back to the **Civil War** and was officially added to uniforms in **2003**. As one Redditor put it:
**“The stars never retreat.”**