Different Military Flags From Around The World

Military flags go by different names. Some call it a war flag, standard, or even battle flag. The only constant factor is that every nation with a military force has at least one military flag. 

The military flag is a nation’s flag that military forces use to identify themselves. The military flag symbolizes the arm forces’ strength, power, and authority.

Only a few nations have developed proper military flags. Most nations prefer to use the state standard or flag as military flags. Similar to state flags, military flags have distinctive identifying features. 

Let us examine a few popular military flags from different states worldwide.

1 – The US Military Flags

The US military ranks as the most powerful in the world. The history of American military flags can be traced back to 1777, when the Old Glory was adopted. This flag was also referred to as the Star-Spangled Banner. 

Later, the flag had a blue rearrange on its upper left side with 50 stars. These stars represent the various US states. The flag measured three feet by five feet and six inches. The military flag also served as the national flag. 

Today, the US military uses many military flags distinct from the national flag. The origin of the US military having flags different from the state flag began in 1860 when the nation established the US Army Signal Corps. 

Albert Mayor served as the organization’s first Signal Officer. Meyer comprehended the importance of effective military communication, particularly among soldiers and commanders during battle. 

At first, the US Army Signal Corps used the wig wag technique comprising two flags making different motions to imply different numerical values. Then, the armed forces combined motions to send messages.

Additional Flags

The US military has since developed many more military flags that symbolize different things. They include the following:

• The post flag. This flag identifies a military post. It also symbolizes their location and the significance of their camp position. It measures 17 feet fly by eight feet hoist.
• The garrison flag. This is the largest military flag in the US military. The military forces use this flag, which measures 38-foot fly by 20-foot hoist, on special occasions. 
• The storm flag. The US military uses a storm flag whenever there is a storm over its camp. The storm flag measures nine foot six inches fly by five feet hoist. 
• The field flag. The US military flies the field flag only when distinguished guests visit. The flag measures 12 feet fly by six feet eight inches hoist. 
• The internment flag. The Military uses the internment flag, sometimes called the burial flag, to honor and show respect to veterans and fallen soldiers during their funeral. The internment flag is made from cotton and measures nine feet six inches fly by five feet hoist. 
• Distinguished flags. The Military uses distinguished flags to indicate the headquarters or location of high-ranking officers. 
• Color flags. The US military also has color flags which it uses to identify and differentiate various sectors and their officials.

2 – The UK Military Flags

Like the US, the United Kingdom military uses many flags. The history of the UK military flags can be traced back to when the military flag also represented the monarchy. 

The first time the UK adopted a military flag was during the reign of King Henry VIII in the early 16th century. The flag remains the official symbol of the Military.

The UK military flag has three crosses representing Ireland, Scotland, and England. These crosses have names. The one for Scotland is St. Andrew’s cross, the English one represents St. George’s, and the Irish one symbolizes St. Patrick’s. 

The flag also has two lions, each with three crowns representing King Henry VIII’s family members. 

Today, the UK military uses many flags, each with a distinct meaning. These military flags include:

• The Royal Navy flag
• The Royal Air force flag
• The British Army flag
• The Ministry of Defense flag
• The Chief of the Defense flag
• The vice Chief of Defense flag
• The monarch’s flag
• The defense secretary’s flag

3 – India’s Military Flags

The Indian armed forces flag has a tri-service emblem and sky blue, navy blue, and red colors. In addition, India has a day dedicated to celebrating their armed forces flag.

Since 1949, Indians have celebrated Armed Forces Flag Day every December 7. On this day, Indians join their armed forces to honor soldiers who have lost their lives while protecting their country’s honor.

The day also honors the families of the martyrs and soldiers living with injuries accrued in the line of duty. Every Indian citizen is encouraged to donate funds on this day to help care for, rehabilitate and support these soldiers and their families.

Apart from the Indian armed forces flag, the other military flags in the country include the following: 

• The Indian Navy flag. This flag has a white background with the national flag in its canton. It also has a navy blue octagon that encloses its crest. 
• The Indian Air Force flag. This flag has a sky blue background and the nation’s flag as its ensign. It also has the air force’s roundel. 
• The Indian Army flag. This flag has a red background with the national flag in its canton. It has an enlarged army badge on the fly. 

The Indian Military has many other flags representing senior officials’ ranks. 

4 – Egyptian Military Flags

The Egyptian Military has a war flag that has the national flag in its background. In addition, the military flag has two white-crossed swords or sabres in its canton.

The several branches of the Egyptian Military have flags, insignia, and emblems that represent them. Each branch flies its flag in the various military academies, camps, bases, and ships. 

The Egyptian Navy Flag

The Egyptian Navy was the first component of the Egyptian Military to be created. 

The navy was founded in 1800, and its flag was adopted the same year. The Egyptian Navy flag has a navy blue background and an image of the Egyptian military flag on its canton. The navy flag has the naval ensign consisting of two anchors enclosed by two white branches.

The Egyptian Army Flag

The Egyptian army was created a few years later, in 1805. The army adopted its unique flag as it was funded. The Egyptian Army flag has three horizontal stripes, similar to the national flag. It also has two overlapping swords and a golden eagle on its white stripe. 

Egyptian Air Force Flag

Egypt’s Air Force was formed in 1937. It was given its flag to signify that it had become an independent branch of the country’s Military. The Egyptian Air Force flag has a sky-blue background and the national flag as its canton. It also has the air force roundel, which has similar colors to the national flag. 

Egyptian Air Defense Force Flag

The Egyptian Air Defense Force was formed in 1968. It has a flag that resembles that of the air force. It has the national flag on its hoist side and the country’s Coat of Arms on its left. 

5 – The Chinese Military Flags

The Chinese Armed Forces flag is red like the national flag. It has a golden star in the upper section of its hoist, but this star is smaller than the one on the national flag. 

Three tiny lines next to that star represent the Chinese numerals one and eight. 

These numerals represent the first day of august to mark the day the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was established in 1928. The Nanchang Uprising triggered the formation of the PLA. 

The Chinese Armed Forces flag’s star symbolizes China’s unification after its army secured victory over foreign imperial armies. 

The flag proportion is 4:5

Regiments, larger military units, and defense academies use this tri-service flag.

The other flags used by the Chinese Military include the following:

• The armored units’ flags. These include the Vostok-2018 flag, which the Chinese military use in their joint training range with Russian forces. 
• The iron company flag. This flag represents military units. The unit name is usually written on the hoist’s white strip. 
• The ground force flag. This flag resembles the PLA flag but is green on the lower side. About 40% of the flag is green. 
• The naval ensign. The Navy jack resembles the national flag but has horizontal blue and white stripes.

Unlike many other militaries worldwide, the Chinese navy does not have rank flags. The communist principles have made rank a sensitive issue for the PLA. The entire society, including the armed forces, is keen to maintain a classless society. 

6 – Israel Military Flags

The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) flag is blue and contains the national flag on its canton. The flag has a yellow emblem on the lower end of its fly. The emblem consists of an olive branch, a sword, and a ribbon with “Israeli Defense Force” written on it in Hebrew. The military flag has yellow fringes around three of its edges.

The military flag has a proportion of 6:11, while the national flag is 8:11. 

The IDF does not fly its flag regularly. You may only see it during national ceremonies when they fly it next to the national flag. 

The IDF has other military flags used by its various units. These include

• Command flags. These flags are used by the various regional commands, including the North, South, Central, Field forces, Air Force, Navy, and the Homefront. All have unique flags that identify them.
• Service flags. The service flags use different colors to represent various corps or services. For instance, infantries use green and yellow colors, amours use black and green, engineers use black and orange, and medical corps use white and red flags. 
• Field Flags. The IDF field flags have a diagonal line that displays the relevant corps and the two colors indicating the unit. Brigadiers wear shoulder patches representing their field flags. Meanwhile, battalions use the flags to distinguish themselves.

7 – North Korean Military Flags

The Military in North Korea comprises different units, each with its distinctive flag. 

The North Korean national flag also serves as its naval jack. The navy also has an ensign that has the navy’s badge, a red star that shines over the oceans. In addition, north Korean navy ships accorded the “Guards” title have the “Guards” badge added to their fly.  

As with the Chinese Military, the North Korean Navy does not observe ranks because of socialism.

The Korean People’s Army (KPA) flag resembles the national jack. But KPA’s flag has the country’s Coat of Arms in place of the red star. 

Each branch of the armed forces has ceremonial flags with a badge on the observer side and the Korean People’s Party badge on the reverse. These flags also have inscriptions about the country’s independence, freedom, and liberation. 

The North Korean Military also comprises the Worker-Peasant Red Guard, a paramilitary unit.   The red guards’ flag has an inception praising Kim Jong II and encouraging the armed forces to defend their nation to death. 

Conclusion

Countries with military forces have flags representing their armed forces. Some countries, such as the US, UK, and Israel, have military flags completely different from national ones. In contrast, others like Egypt and China have military flags that resemble national flags. 

Some militaries include the national flag in their canton. However, most militaries, except the Chinese PLA, use flags representing different ranks, units, and battalions within their armies.

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