File talk:CIC-USS-CarlVinson-2001.jpg

I'm familiar with the proper display of the US flag on Battle Dress Uniforms (BDUs), but the position of the flag patch on this operator's left shoulder seems incorrect.

For flag patches worn on uniforms, star field always faces towards the front, with the stripes flowing behind. The point of this is that as the soldier moves forward, the stripes should appear as if they're flowing backwards, as if the patch were a "loose flag" hanging off the soldier's arm. On the left shoulder, the flag patch should appear normal. On the right shoulder, the flag patch should appear "reversed" (it's technically mirrored).

But what's with the patch on this operator's shoulder? It doesn't appear to be proper for the left OR right shoulder since the stripes are flowing in the wrong direction. Anyone care to explain?