Does the Army have it “backwards?”
For FLag Day this yer, Tuttle resident and Korean War veteran Bill Garrisson brought some valid flag etiquette issues to my attention. Here’s what he wrote:
I read with interest your article about the flag in Sunday’s Oklahoman.
There is one thing I wonder about though, and I thought you might know the answer.
In your article, you state, “When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag’s own right, that is, to the observer’s left. And I agree.
However, the flag is displayed with the union to the flag’s own left on our soldier’s uniforms in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have never seen the flag displayed in this manner either on soldier’s uniforms or police or other public servants. Before the Korean War, it was illegal to display the flag on uniforms at all.
Does the Congress write laws concerning the flag or the observances of flag etiquette? Or, am I just behind the times?
My research found the following protocol from www.americanflags.org:
Many sharp-eyed civilians have noted an apparent oddity on the uniform sleeves of American military men: backward flag patches. Why is Old Glory flipped around like that?
Only the flag patches affixed to right shoulders of uniforms are reversed, so the blue field of stars faces forward. (Left shoulder patches aren’t a problem, as the stars face forward without meddling.) The reversal was inspired by the age-old practice of carrying flags into battle. When fastened to a standard, the American flag’s blue-and-white portion is always closest to the pole. A flag bearer rushing into the fray, then, would naturally lead with the stars. In fact, it would be virtually impossible to lead with the stripes—the flag would simply wilt and wrap around the pole, rather than waving triumphantly in the wind.
For a serviceman or -woman to lead with shoulder-borne stripes, then, might smack of cowardice and retreat, as if the toter were backpedaling away from the conflict. The official Army guidelines on the donning of flag patches add that the forward-facing stars give “the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward.” So perhaps it’s best to think of every military person as a latter-day flag bearer, leading the headlong charge into battle.a
Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia , is the governing authority for the wear of Army uniforms. Paragraph 28-18 governs the wear of the United States Flag on Army Uniforms.
Many sharp-eyed civilians have noted an apparent oddity on the uniform sleeves of American military men: backward flag patches. Why is Old Glory flipped around like that?
Only the flag patches affixed to right shoulders of uniforms are reversed, so the blue field of stars faces forward. (Left shoulder patches aren’t a problem, as the stars face forward without meddling.) The reversal was inspired by the age-old practice of carrying flags into battle. When fastened to a standard, the American flag’s blue-and-white portion is always closest to the pole. A flag bearer rushing into the fray, then, would naturally lead with the stars. In fact, it would be virtually impossible to lead with the stripes—the flag would simply wilt and wrap around the pole, rather than waving triumphantly in the wind.
For a serviceman or -woman to lead with shoulder-borne stripes, then, might smack of cowardice and retreat, as if the toter were backpedaling away from the conflict. The official Army guidelines on the donning of flag patches add that the forward-facing stars give “the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward.” So perhaps it’s best to think of every military person as a latter-day flag bearer, leading the headlong charge into battle.
As for who set the rule for this policy, check out: http://adoptaplatoon.org/site/?p=77
Living a soldier’s life without the bullets flying (it’s even fun!)
Ever thought about being a soldier, but not sure you want to wear the flak jacket?
Well, today the U.S. Army has created simulated soldiering that puts anyone in middle of the war zone, on patrols and more with a link on the Internet.
Called America’s Army 3, this one-of-a-kind action game delivers an authentic and entertaining Army experience. How? By reflecting the training, technology, actions, and career advancement of a soldier within an adventurous, realistic game that’s not only free, but fun and yes, even educational.
Players can download the game from Steam (www.americasarmy.com/steam), as well as from partners listed at the America’s Army website (http://www.americasarmy.com/).
Regular updates will keep the missions and technology current.
In America’s Army 3, details matter, so the game has more authentic military elements - including training, technology, weapons, and audio than any other military game. Built on surprisingly realistic environments, lighting effects, animations, and team-based experiences, America’s Army players can experience how soldiers train, live, and advance in the Army.
Players are bound by Rules of Engagement and gain experience as they navigate challenges in force-on-force operations.
The game is launching with five different environments, each with three different mission scenario options. The core of the game focuses on an infantry soldier. Players first complete Basic Combat Training and progress to Advanced Individual Training for a variety of specialized roles, such as Advanced Rifleman, Automatic Rifleman, Squad Designated Marksman, and Grenadier.
The America’s Army 3 game offers a number of new features including:
Army values are matched with certain game behaviors, meant to demonstrate these values. For example, personal courage can be demonstrated by accomplishing the mission even if the player is the last teammate to remain in the game. Selfless service is shown by aiding an injured soldier even though it may put the player in harm’s way.
Players can select teammates based on their soldier profiles, which reflect how players have progressed in the game as well as their player roles/gameplay style preferences.
The Army launched America’s Army in July of 2002, and has released major updates to the game every few months. These releases feature new technologies, missions, Army units, and occupations. In keeping with the dynamic nature of Soldiering, the America’s Army game will continue to expand and allow players to explore the Army of today, tomorrow and the future.
Naturally, one of the goals in this game is to recruit new soldiers. But it is a surefire way to weed out those not cut out for military life (especially combat) and to attract those that are gung-ho.
For more information, check it out online at www.americasarmy.com.
Remembering D-Day
Like most of us, I learned about World War II in the history books.
Many WWII veterans came wearing full racks of medals
Then, 15 years ago, I was privy to a rare and special sampling of memories from the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944.
As Petty Officer 3rd Class Penny Owen in the Naval Reserve, I was given the opportunity to work for three weeks on the commemoration of D-Day in Portsmouth, England, where the Allies crossed over into Normandy 50 years prior (now 65 years prior).
Allow me to be corny for a moment: At times during my Navy reserve career, I have had experiences that became treasures beyond anything material or monetary. Real ‘lump in my throat’ moments that filled me with pride, awe and perspective.
Britain's traditional Drumhead Ceremony was held at the shore of the English Channel to commemorate D-Day in 1994.
And the Navy is paying me for this?
In Portsmouth, England, on the English Channel where troops crossed over to Normand, the Royal Navy staged a massive tent to hold tens of thousands of WWII veterans making the trek to Normandy. It was the 50th anniversary of D-Day and nothing was spared.
My job, as I was told by a Royal Navy leftenant commander, was to ‘keep the veterans happy.’
“If they want to sit down with a pint and tell you their story, you sit down and listen,” he said.
We got to know 'our' veterans well during the two weeks we spent with them. This British WWII veteran honored me by giving me the equivalent of his National Defense Medal, which I hold dear today.
Listen I did. And oh, how unaware I was of the impact these stories would have on me. Here they were, these veterans, full of life, many in dress uniforms wearing medals and berets, Some were spunky, others solemn – all of them together, perhaps for the last time.
That was 1994. We reported that the youngest WWII veteran as 67. You do the math.
We had fears that many veterans would drop dead on the spot. Didn’t happen. The biggest adjustment we had to make was to hand out fewer “free drink” cards for the bar.
The Internet was in its infancy then. We thought it was pretty cool to have this “Vetlink” system to help long-lost veterans find each other. Hint: It involved a bulletin board. Primitive as it was, it did make a few matches.
My first close encounter with a WWII veteran came at the registration table. An aging American and his wife were silently filling out registration cards that we requested.
It might as well be yesterday. The WWII vet’s hand began to shake as he listed his regiment, battalion, or company. He suddenly dropped the pen and buried his face in his hands, sobbing.
A history lesson from a "Wren" (Women's Royal Auxiliary Navy). British Wrens served much like the U.S. Navy's WAVES, performing traditional female roles, such as nursing.
“I knew this was a bad idea,” he wife said. Suddenly, I understood that this was not a matter of reuniting veterans and handing out pins and drink tickets.
This was a pilgrimage, a place in time to look at the old wounds, even the unspeakable wounds, to sit with them quietly, or joke about them, or share them with young, uniformed strangers like me.
Each night in my hotel room, I cried. Tears came from my gratitude for their service, from feeling the pain behind so much stoicism. War is hell and the humans who wage it are fools. But thanks to these WWII veterans, we don’t speak German today.
The stories weren’t pretty. Nor were most of them heroic. Indeed, many veterans shunned the title of “hero” and were annoyed when called one. Their stories often said otherwise.
It was through their stories that I sort of grew another layer. History is a living, breathing entity, told through many truths, coming from many snapshots in time. Even as we learn about history, we find it evolving, changing.
I’m so grateful to have experienced history through the memories of those who survived D-Day: June 6, 1944.
Making the transition
Leaving the military for civilian life is certainly a jolt. There’s likely a move involved, not to mention family and financial adjustments and an overall cultural shift to make.
Getting a civilian job, at the very least, means trading the familiar military jargon and decorum for laymen’s speak and a more laid back atmosphere. Plenty of veterans are blogging about their job struggles as they leave the service. Click here to read their comments — or read these excerpts:
“I went from being responsible for a multimillion dollar aircraft to working at an office that did not trust me with the code for the copy machine. I got out in 1995, after serving in Desert Shield and Storm, and was not ready for the transition.”
”I have spent the last three plus years doing everything from delivering pizza’s to selling cars. I even worked on base as a civilian a couple of times. They didn’t even trust me with the copier sometimes.”
“Those of us who had the responsibility of other people’s lives and multi-million dollar equipment such as aircraft, have a far more challenging task assimilating into corporate America where self initiative is not necessarily regarded to be a positive trait.”
“When I left the military in 2008 I found a job as an inventory operations manager… coming from personnel as a SSgt, this was a good find. Keep in mind though, this took work! I worked and reworked my resume and applied for jobs for the better part of six months.”
The military has the same range of exemplary to poor performers as the civilian world does. And not all military skills are useful in the civilian workforce.
It is also true that some companies are more amenable to hiring veterans, just as some parts of the country are more supportive of the military than others.
Oklahoma has always been a strong supporter of the military. I wonder if that has translated into having content, high-performing veterans in our workforce. Does it?
