Please answer

[kenw]

I want to add an American flag patch to the front of my vest, but don't know which side it goes on. i know ther is a rule for this somewhere and I hope someone knows it.

thanks

kenw

[Sling]

I have the American flag sewn on left side of my vest above my chest.

The only rule I know is "You don't sew anything above the flag patch."

Hope this helps..

[Tom]

I believe the Left around the heart area

[hipshot]

left breast above the heart.

nothing can be placed above it.

on military uniforms, it goes just above the wearer's name badge.

just jt

[kenw]

Thanks for the response! I appreciate it!

 

Kenw

[Gray Ghost]

Gotta disagree here. The National colors always go in the place of honor, which is to the right. The US Army wears the flag patch on their right shoulder.

[Cinderella]

To wear our country's flag properly, the field of stars should be worn closest to your heart. Thus, if your patch is to be worn on your LEFT sleeve, use a left flag. For patches worn on your RIGHT sleeve, use a "right" or "reversed field" flag. Since the law does not specifically address the positioning of the patch, a decision is left to the discretion of the organization prescribing the wear. Some elect to use the "left" flag on both sleeves. If you are planning to wear only one patch, it is recommended that you wear a "left" flag on your left sleeve. Military guidelines specify that in support of joint or multi-national operations, the "right" flag is worn on the right sleeve, 1/4" below the shoulder seam or 1/8" below any required unit patches.

Source: Army Website FAQs

[Gray Ghost]

The weblink doesn't go to the flag FAQ anymore. An updated link to the US Code relating to the flag is at: http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/FAQ/FlagCode.htm

 

The section regarding wear is:

"Section 8

(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore the lapel flag pin being a replica should be worn on the left lapel near the heart."

[Ozark]

To wear our country's flag properly, the field of stars should be worn closest to your heart. Thus, if your patch is to be worn on your LEFT sleeve, use a left flag. For patches worn on your RIGHT sleeve, use a "right" or "reversed field" flag.

 

Thanks for the good info Cindi. I've had flag patches and pins and have just automatically put them on the left breast. Just lucky I guess.

[FJR Rider]

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

 

What is the proper way to wear a flag patch on one's shoulder sleeve?

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/images/flagleft.gif

Left Flag

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/images/flagright.gif

Right or "reversed field" flag

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/images/petraeus.jpg

General David Petraeus

To wear our country's flag properly, the field of stars is worn closest to your heart. Further, when worn on the sleeve of a military uniform, the flag should appear to be advancing and not retreating. Thus, if your patch is to be worn on your LEFT sleeve, use a left flag (normal). For patches worn on your RIGHT sleeve, use a "right" or "reversed field" flag.

Since the Flag Rules do not specifically address the positioning of the patch, a decision is left to the discretion of the organization prescribing the wear. Some elect to use the "left" flag on both sleeves. [Note: many states and cities have ordinances pertaining to the use of the flag; you may wish to contact the Attorney General of your state or the City Attorney's office regarding this matter.] If you are planning to wear only one patch, it is recommended that you wear a "left" flag on your left sleeve.

Military guidelines specify that in support of joint or multi-national operations (as in Iraq), the "right" flag is worn on the right sleeve (see picture), 1/4" below the shoulder seam or 1/8" below any required unit patches. (Class A uniform excepted.)

Some people find the "right flag" disrespectful of the flag and some are calling it the "wrong flag." They seek to gain support to encourage a change in the regulations to always use a "left flag" even on a right sleeve.

Source: Army Website FAQs

[GigaWhiskey]

I always wondered why it would be reversed at times. Now I know, kewl!

[kenw]

Thanks for all the info. I want to have a flag on my jacket and vest to let everyone know where I stand. We are going through some rough times in a lot of areas, but as Americans we should pull together, not sit back and complain nothings getting done!

Kenw

[kantornado]

Here is how it should be worn on a vest. With nothing above the colors on aether shoulder PERIOD. Everything is below the AMERICAN FLAG including items on the right side.

 

I figured a picture is worth a 1000 words............................Ron

 

P.S. Take note of the VENTURERIDER PIN on the right breast.

[BigShell]

I want to add an American flag patch to the front of my vest, but don't know which side it goes on. i know ther is a rule for this somewhere and I hope someone knows it.

 

thanks

kenw

 

The weblink doesn't go to the flag FAQ anymore. An updated link to the US Code relating to the flag is at: http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/FAQ/FlagCode.htm

 

The section regarding wear is:

"Section 8

(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore the lapel flag pin being a replica should be worn on the left lapel near the heart."

 

If you will notice, the flag code prohibits the use of a flag patch on our vests. Our vests are not part of a uniform for the above mentioned organizations.

 

That being said, would anyone like to try and rip the one off my vest?

 

There are no penalties for violating civilian flag code and military flag code no longer applies to me. As far as I'm concerned, as long as the flag is displayed or worn in a respectful manner, I have no problem... disrespect it, and we do have a problem.

[jneed53]

That is correct. I had just recently looked up the rules for the flag when someone wanted to know the proper disposal method. The rules state that it is NOT to be worn as clothing or part of clothing. This rule, however, is not enforced or half of the country would be in jail.

[Yammer Dan]

Mine on my uniform is on the right with the field of stars to the right.

 

On my vest I have it on the left with field of stars over my heart.

And I'm with BigShell anybody want to try and change it??

[kantornado]

We as a nation lost our patriotism in the 60's to 90's and it's good to see patriotism back in vogue after 9-11.

 

KenW asked a valid question on the proper way to display an American flag on a jacket or vest and by the sheer nature of what we wear it is considered a uniform.

 

The pins or patches denote the organisation, group or tribe we belong as well as our ranking in said group denoting the places we have been or seen and the tattoo's we wear instilling fear in other riders or the general populace.

The military branches do the same with Branch, ribbons, rank, campaign medals.

 

I have seen the American flag worn upside down to reflect distress of the shape that this person believes our country to be in. As well as the flag used as bandanna's or undergarments and worn on the lower back or side by people making a political statement or just plain ignorance on proper place to display the flag on there part.

 

I have seen the American flag displayed on the back of a bike with a smaller standard then there MIA/POW flag to make a statement of the riders distaste of our country's attitude towards our missing veterans.

 

I asked these people why they display the flag in a disrespectful nature and that is there response. They have a right as a American citizen to express there opinion and I do not have to agree with there opinion and told them so. I could pry it off there dead body but I considered the source and moved on.

 

So there you have it the proper way to display the AMERICAN FLAG on a jacket or vest

how anyone chooses to is a whole different story.

I am a member of a patriotic organization I was not born a MARINE but always will be.

Here is a good link to get the straight scoop...........................Ron

 

 

 

http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html

[Sailor]

Don't know about down there but up here only military insignia, medals, ribbons etc go on the left, all other non military insignia go on the right. At least that is the rule in the Royal Canadian Legion where we have a lot of veterans and serving military personnel. The Legion has it's own medals and insignia which must be worn on the right as they are not military.

[MAINEAC]

This is America!!!! You can wear the Flag anyway you want... I really like what this young lady has done with her flag...

http://www.lalalingerie.com/prodimages/H2002.jpg

[KiteSquid]

Click HERE to read the US Flag code. This is the Governmnet Printing Office web site.