by mhjacobson » Fri Jul 04, 2008 8:21 pm
Responses to two posts:
1) actually the flag on the BSA uniform is correct with the union on the upper left (according to the flag code). the Flas on the US military uniform is a 'reversed flag' and was done so by a designer who decided that if the flag moved with the soldier the union would be toward the front. You have no idea what the military went through when the flag was modified to the 'reversed' position.
2) there is no requirement in the US charter to the BSA that the American flag appear on the uniform. There are many organizations, including the GSA, who have an equal charter from the US congress that do not require that there be a US flag present on their uniforms. The presence of the American flag on the BSA uniform came from our participation in an international jamboree some time ago and the need to ensure that the scouts from one country are identifiable from another. Now that we wear the international Scout patch on our uniform (and our new uniform more parallels the uniform of many countries), it makes even more sense that the flag appears to underscore our national identity.
50 year+ scouter -- have held almost all adult leader positions in Cubs, Scouts, & Venturing, currently serving as Council Scouting for Youth with Disabilities Chair.
But it is correct on their uniform because they say so. The same with the Boy scout flag. It is correct because the guy who wrote the insignia guide says so. (It is also the same orientation as it would be displayed on a wall). As long as it is worn with respect, I really do not care which way it faces.