# Why does a naval Captain's insignia (O6) look the wrong way? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 12, 2008, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-naval-captains-insignia-o6-look-the-wrong-way/445033 "2008-04-12T14:35:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-naval-captains-insignia-o6-look-the-wrong-way/445033/1 "2008-04-12T14:35:19Z")
Look at the list of insignia for O6 [here](http://www.defenselink.mil/specials/insignias/officers.html). Three of the four look to the right, but the Navy one looks to the left. Why? ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-naval-captains-insignia-o6-look-the-wrong-way/445033/2 "2008-04-12T14:47:55Z")
There are two eagles worn on the collar. One faces one way and the other the other way. For some reason the web-site you linked to chose to show the other insignia for the navy. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-naval-captains-insignia-o6-look-the-wrong-way/445033/3 "2008-04-12T15:56:08Z")
The American O-6 (Colonel/Captain) rank is the only officer’s rank that is _directional_, in that the eagle looks forward–similar to how the American flag looks ‘reversed’ when worn on Army uniforms (supposed to be leading forward, as in the flag is fluttering behind the forward-moving staff). For some reason, that particular page doesn’t really show that or explain it well. I think it has to do with the other graphics: the shoulderboards and sleeve stripes. Just an oversight, IMHO. Tripler That page was probably put together by some underpaid civilian. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2008, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-naval-captains-insignia-o6-look-the-wrong-way/445033/4 "2008-04-12T18:15:32Z")
[QUOTE=x-ray vision] There are two eagles worn on the collar. One faces one way and the other the other way. For some reason the web-site you linked to chose to show the other insignia for the navy. [/QUOTE] Just to clarify, this is the case for **all** of the branches (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard) when uniforms with insignia are worn. The only exceptional thing about the Navy (and Coast Guard) is that their are some uniforms in which striped sleeves or shoulder boards are worn instead of the insignia. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-naval-captains-insignia-o6-look-the-wrong-way/445033/5 "2008-04-13T00:19:53Z")
Thanks, guys! ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2008, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-naval-captains-insignia-o6-look-the-wrong-way/445033/6 "2008-04-13T23:51:42Z")
[QUOTE=robby] …The only exceptional thing about the Navy (and Coast Guard) is that their are some uniforms in which striped sleeves or shoulder boards are worn instead of the insignia. [/QUOTE] Substitute “ **there** ” for “their.” (I hate it when I do that!)