What Side Should The American Flag Be On A Helmet?

Should the American flag be displayed on the right or left shoulder? The orientation of the flag on the shoulder depends on how it is normally mounted. The American flag consists of stars and stripes, with the canton (the blue field with stars) traditionally placed closest to the flagpole. As a result, when the flag is worn as a patch on a uniform, the canton should be positioned on the right side, while the stripes extend to the left. This means that the flag is typically worn on the right shoulder. Wearing it in this manner creates the visual effect of the flag appearing to fly in the breeze as the wearer moves forward.

Many individuals wonder about the correct placement of an American flag patch on their clothing, particularly on which arm it should be worn. Surprisingly, the U.S. Code does not provide specific guidelines for the positioning of the flag patch. However, there is a common practice to wear the American flag patch on either the left or right sleeve. When worn on the left sleeve, it is customary for the union (the blue field with stars) to be positioned towards the front of the arm, while the stripes run horizontally toward the back. This tradition stems from military uniforms where the flag is oriented as if it’s advancing into battle, with the stars leading the way. So, while there are no strict rules, this is the commonly accepted convention for flag patch placement.