Flag facing the wrong way......

[fin24000]

OK so there is a guy in my troop that has a major issue with the flag and the blue facing to the the back and not front like the military and to make a long story short would like to know if its OK to get a different one (army surplus or something) that the face's the "Right" way......... Thanks.......

[DadScout]

I think the wearing of the flag is "optional" per the BSA code. Though you'd be hard pressed to find a shirt without one since that's how the shirts are sold. Being optional to me means wear it in a respectful manner if worn. So field on the left or field on the right wouldn't matter. So long as it's not upside down. That's my personal opinion and I'm no uniform expert.

For another perspective I point you to M Walton's www site. Not the authoritative site but I've never thought the man steered anyone wrong. He specifically has a page on "the backwards flag".
http://www.mninter.net/~blkeagle/usflag.htm

[riverwalk]

BSA "wears" the Flag the way it is for a reason. As they don't want it altered (Uniform), I would educate the Scouter about this. It isn't a problem. He/she can still wear it the military way on their military duds.

[DadScout]

The Uniform and Insignia Guide, BSA Supply No. 33066, would have the authoritative answer. However, I'll bet Riverwalk is right. The BSA want the union on the left and have a reason for it.

[WeeWillie]

When the US Flag was carried into battle the momentum of the charge caused the union (blue field) appear as moving foward. If the Army were to place the union as the BSA it would appear as retreating.

See the following.

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

Since both the Army and BSA place a premium on obedience, your friend should wear the flag appropriate to the organization his uniform represents.

[riverwalk]

This very amateur vexillologist was trying to say what WeeWillie said so eloquently.

[FrankJ]

The US flag code is silent on which way a flag should face on a shirt. It does say when a flag is displayed on something like a wall, the blue should be on the left. That is why the army calls the right shoulder flag patch a "reversed field patch. (They know it is backwards ) Personally I think some one who judges by which way the flag faces on a shirt is a little scary. I would say Wee Willie is right in that you should follow the guidance for the uniform you are wearing, but if some one has a personally need to wear the flag differently I doesn't bother me as long as it is done with respect to what the flag represents-- Duty to country

[joat]

I think the wearing of the flag is "optional" per the BSA code.

I've never seen anything in any BSA publication that says the flag insignia is optional. I'd really wonder why anyone would consider removing it. Clearly though, the Insignia Guide does not permit individuals to alter or substitute any uniform insignia.

[FrankJ]

I've never seen anything in any BSA publication that says the flag insignia is optional. I'd really wonder why anyone would consider removing it.

I believe some people have religious beliefs against wearing a flag although I cannot think of who. Foreign nationals may have an issue with wearing the US flag.

[wagionvigil]

The BSA is Chartered by the US Congress and therefore if you join the BSA you will wear a flag.

[pipestone1991]

The BSA is Chartered by the US Congress and therefore if you join the BSA you will wear a flag.

Very good. This should answer the question.

[FrankJ]

The BSA is Chartered by the US Congress and therefore if you join the BSA you will wear a flag.

I guess you could just refuse to wear the uniform

[joat]

Foreign nationals may have an issue with wearing the US flag.

If a foreign national objects so much to the United States flag, why would he join the Boy Scouts of America ??

[FrankJ]

We have one scout in our troop from England. His father is over here working long term. I have not looked to see what flag that is on his son's shirt.

[LSR]

The BSA is Chartered by the US Congress and therefore if you join the BSA you will wear a flag.

Not neccessarily, I think there should be room for religious objection here. Even if we, as a private organization, could insist on it legally, I don't think it would be in keeping with the Scout Law and Oath. Would it be the right thing to do to deny a Jehovah's Witness Scouting over this? A Scout is reverent, it is not our place to question the form that reverence may take. I had several Jehovah's Witness families in my classrooms when I taught after getting off active duty. Couldn't ask for finer people. They stood, but did not recite the pledge.

[riverwalk]

And here's one Rocky and Bullwinkle would say: "here's one we know you'll like".

New shirts come with the Flag attached like they want it. That speaks volumes.

[joat]

Not neccessarily, I think there should be room for religious objection here.

What is it about the flag patch that would provoke a religious objection?

[JMWalston]

In reference to the Jehovah Witnesses, they feel that their obligations to God take precedence over all else. Therefore, they make no pledges or take any oaths to any other organization.

[smtroop168]

The J-W do not join the BSA.

[FieldSports]

Where does it state that the Military Codes about wearing the flag the "correct" way?

Also, where if any place do the federal rules for display of a flag say that we are incorrect?

Lastly, if somehow you still think we should follow all of what the military does, why do some Military uniforms put a battle patch above the flag?