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Flags on Uniforms
I am a veteran of the US Navy. I have two kids currently serving, with another enlisting soon. I am proud of my kids, my country and those who defend our freedoms.
Our flag, and all it represents is near and dear to my heart.
The issue:
Our fire department class A uniforms have the flag on the shoulder with the bars leading. Although not in violation of US Code (which does not SPECIFICALLY call out firefighters, police, etc) I cannot, in good concious, wear the flag in this fashion. On my uniform, the union leads (stars facing forward).
I have gotten grief from our township chief.
So, how does your department wear the flag (if it is part of your uniform)?
What are your thoughts on the subject?
Our flag, and all it represents is near and dear to my heart.
The issue:
Our fire department class A uniforms have the flag on the shoulder with the bars leading. Although not in violation of US Code (which does not SPECIFICALLY call out firefighters, police, etc) I cannot, in good concious, wear the flag in this fashion. On my uniform, the union leads (stars facing forward).
I have gotten grief from our township chief.
So, how does your department wear the flag (if it is part of your uniform)?
What are your thoughts on the subject?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dale Saucier on
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The issued fire dept Class B's and A's have the bars going first and it drives some of us nuts. Our honor guard (which I am part of) decided to put the Class A flag with the union first.
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Permalink Reply by Tracy turner on
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We don't have flags on our uniforms but we have some on the trucks. I'm not sure about the fire trucks since I am only EMS ,but our squad has only one flag on it and it is a left side flag on the right side of the truck. I have always believed in honoring the flag and this drives me nuts. I have always heard and been taught that the stars are to be flying first as we are advancing not running away. I have never heard the stars closest to your heart but that's the way I think it should be.
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Permalink Reply by ffbam24 on
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Then yes, technically your flags are incorrect. If it is a decal on the right/officer/tech/co-pilot's side the field of stars is forward or "reversed", just like the uniform.
Old job had flag decals put on to each side of the rig. Of course, one was regular and the other reversed. We were asked a lot, "Why is your flag backwards?" We had looked up the flag display etiquette and were able to provide the answer to the questions.
It would be great for all these questionable displays to be corrected, but we don't make the decisions. We can make comment or suggestion, but I wouldn't make a stink of it. If you're going to make a case, go in with facts and information.
bam
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Permalink Reply by County 1 on
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I to, am a veteran and any wearing of the US Flag should be appropriate, regardless, if it is a tecnical violation. If the flag is to be on a uniform, it must be done so correctly.
"With Pride In What We Do"
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Permalink Reply by Matthew on
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The question is done so correctly to your department uniform code or to the military standard?
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Done so, correctly to your heart, afterall, we all call her, the Stars and Stripes. Noctice how the Stars are in front. I know this isn't departmentally correct, just simply correct.
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I agree.. the stars should always lead. My point remains the same. There is a process to get that changed in you department if it is wrong in your uniform code. To simply change it on your uniform without approval could get you into trouble...it may seem petty, and unlikely, but that risk is still out there.
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Permalink Reply by Ricky Newell on
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In the past there have been great stinks over the flag our Dept. wears the flag on our uniforms and we wear it with GREAT PRIDE.I dont know way anyone would not show there pride in our flag and wear it every day I do
there is flag on my truck and a flag on my cap I wear. as far as I know all the flags on our stuff has the pointed foward and strips following
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Permalink Reply by robbie on
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mY DEPARTMENT WENT TO NEW UNIFORMS ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND WE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ALSO HOW THW NAME TAGS WAS PLACED ABOVE THE POCKET. MYSELF AND ANOTHER MEMBER WHO ARE CURRENLY SERVING IN THE SC NATIONAL GUARDS OBTAINED A COPY OF THE ARMY REG'S AND SENT THEM THE THE AC THAT WAS IN CHARGE OF UNIFORMS AND THAT SEEM TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
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Permalink Reply by firefighter444 on
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on ours the union is leading stars close to the heart is the right way to me, i would say wear it the way you want too.
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Permalink Reply by QuickWit54 on
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Our private EMS agency wears a flag patch on the right sleeve, facing left. As a retired Air Force Master Sergeant, I had a hard time with that practice. I researched the code and found that EMS is not included in the group authorized to wear a flag patch. Although we are certainly patriotic, we are not members of a patriotic organization. What do you make of that?
I also found it interesting that John Wayne in The Longest Day has a left-facing flag on the right sleeve of his Army uniform!
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Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on
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I would be interested to know what the definition of a patriotic organization is.
If EMS isn't included in the authorized group, perhaps it's time to update the code?
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