# American flag direction on military uniforms **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 3, 2003, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-flag-direction-on-military-uniforms/166090 "2003-04-03T00:58:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2011, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-flag-direction-on-military-uniforms/166090/21 "2011-01-22T22:12:56Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > **Spiff** : The use of “starboard” and “port” in aviation is, at least in the US, an affectation or an anachronism. Left & right are the correct terms of art and have been for the 40-ish years I’ve been in or around the business. > > I can’t speak to correct usage in Australia where \*\*Richard Pearse \*\*lives & flies. Same as in the US I think. I’ve only heard it being used rarely and in a mock formal sort of way. Normally it’s left/right. ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2011, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-flag-direction-on-military-uniforms/166090/22 "2011-01-23T14:16:40Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > A similar convention occurs in medieval heraldry. Unless the blazon explicitly states otherwise, an animal is always depicted facing the dexter (bearer’s right, viewer’s left) side of the shield. So, when the shield is carried on the left arm, the animal appears to be charging toward the enemy. The “correct” standard depiction of the US and other asymmetric flags appears to be in accordance with this heraldic convention. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-flag-direction-on-military-uniforms/166090.md?page=1)