system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why is the American flag backwards on the uniforms of Military personnel?
gpt
The flag is to symbolize carrying the flag into battle. This was traditionally done by a single person carrying the flag on a pole, and while running toward the enemy the flag will trail behind. The flag is shown on military uniforms on the right arm, with the stars facing the enemy (indicating going towards, not running away), as if it were still on that flagpole from tradition.