Is wearing a flag patch on a backpack against regulations?

I'm pretty sure the answer to your question can be found in AR 670-1. I know that I had a backpack issue when I was a LCpl. Was being told that I could only wear an issued Coyote Assault pack in cammies, MCO 1020.34g (now 1020.34h) stated "black, olive drab, brown, tan or a combination there of" with "manufacture tags/logos in subdued colors no larger than 5 inches long by 2 inches wide"

Now for your issue, AR 670-1 states, "the bag must be black or match the camouflage pattern uniform being worn, and may not have any commercial logos."

So I would ask, does a flag patch count as a commercial logo? I would seek further guidance from a SNCO, preferably the highest that you can comfortably talk to (IE as a Sgt I would have either spoken with my Gunny, or the Company 1stSgt, but I also had special access to the Battalion SgtMaj as the Battalion Color Sergeant).

Is it a Military Issue ALICE PACK. If it is probably not. The Flag Patch is only authorized on the Class "C's" and no other Class of other uniform. If its on a civilian backpack then its up to the command if it is appropriate with the military uniform. Only Flag patch can only be a U.S. Flag with the U.S. Military uniform. Will it been 24 years since I retired. So things change and I may be out of the loop.

I retired a MGySgt E-9 and I used to tell Marines all the time the senior enlisted inturpit the uniform regulations usually the SgtMaj.

Not even a little bit. There's no Army Regulation, DOD Instruction, or federal statute saying that you can't have a flag patch on a backpack. US Code Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8 (j) does not apply unless the backpack in question is part of a costume or athletic uniform. US Code Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8 (d) does not apply because a backpack isn't apparel.

Flying an American flag upside down is not a distress signal and it never has been. That said, a lot of folks think that and so you should probably check on anyone displaying the flag in such a way. If it turns out to be a bunch of know it all wanna be hippies disrespectful of the colors, then you are presented with a "teachable moment" and you can enjoy yourself showing them the error of their ways.

I know the Army wears different flag patches representing different meanings but I think that's an absurd question to ask as a Marine... Almost to the extent of questioning it if its out of line for a cop wearing an outside vest/plate carrier that has "Police" or "US Marshall " etc velcro'd across the back of their carrier... anything that can make an operator's identity better known to their men is a good thing... Any good command who is about doing the job at hand doesn't have officers who pull rank on men imposing BS GARRISON discrepancies in the field... every Combat Operator is different and their gear and how its worn on their body specifically in the field, should be at nobody else's discretion but the individuals. I can remember personal accounts of officers making comments who weren't even from my platoon, bitching about how every one else had their ammo pouches, but backs, and IFAKs attached to their plate carriers and " who told you that you guys could wear chest rigs?" Coming from some non combat or infantry officer. (But usually non infantry because for some reason they're always so gung ho about the rules and order and uniformity... I joined to be a Scout Sniper in a Recon team and that's what I did... if I wanted to live the cookie cutter, preconceived notion of all the prior, I would have became a Drill Instructor... that life may be awesome and everything to some guys but it's not to others... I never took a gung ho supply guy, hand him a ghillie suit, take him out on a stalk and then tear them apart for being a Garbage FIELD Marine... So i never appreciated in garrison when some Motard would start bitching at me in the PX after just getting out of the field and grabbing a quick drink or smokes and had a hole in the knee of my cammies smaller than the size of a quarter... and even after apologizing hoping they would just drop it but kept egging me and egging me, pulling their rank, until they finally asked what unit I was with. As soon as they heard 2nd Recon or Scout Snipers they would just drop it, because they knew they were wasting their breath and that our officers would tell them to go "F" themselves.... I can understand guys getting bent outta shape in garrison but as far as this issue pertaining to out in the field, its absolutely a waste of energy that could be used on something more important, that's actually critical to the mission at hand... then again what do I know, Army is different. Always thought it was kind of ridiculous the Army has so many unnecessary decorations, patches and badges that just clutters the uniform, the funniest one (to me at least) was when i saw that the Army has an actual grenade throwing/qualification badge... kinda overboard to wear a badge celebrating that you can toss something... Rifle/Pistol, Scuba bubble, jump wings, EOD, and Special Operation badges is all that's necessary if rated... I dunnnnooo, personally I think it's a huge joke to even make issue of someone having a flag on their back pack or rucksack...worry about the mission...you really wanna be "that guy" busting some grunts balls for proudly wearing a 2 x 3 inch flag of the country that he's here to fight for...to die for if necessary...let's get real.

How should I know? I'm a Vietnam Era, Cold War Era, Navy Submarine Navigation Center, Electronics GPS Fix Taking Equipment maintenance technician veteran!

I cannot say if is is or is not regulation, but I have never seen a flag patch on a military backpack or duffel bag. So I think not!

I don't know. But you like to find out.

Also, you guys Westin your camp baseball caps with the IR flag, you look Like huge tools and wannabes. Stop it please, you look like an idiot.