The rumor was the small notch allowed the tags to be stuck between the teeth (and therefore not lost) while the dead soldier was transported back home.įortunately, it’s just a rumor, as the actual purpose behind the notch was far less grim. The WWII version featured a small notch that was designed for twisted intentions. In the past, military dog tags looked a lot different than they do now. Navy didn’t make the wear of dog tags a mandatory piece of the sailor uniform until 1917. Regulations changed by 1916 when two dog tags were required. Army to display dog tags around the neck. The original military dog tags consisted of 1) the name, 2) rank, 3) the company, and 4) the regiment of the soldier.Īt first, it was mandatory in the U.S. Army made dog tags compulsory for enlisted personnel. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that the U.S. Later, metal tags or pins became more practical since they are durable and resistant to moisture and damage. Sadly, due to the high causality rate, there was a pressing need for a standard identification system.Ĭonsequently, soldiers adopted multiple methods (sewing names to a uniform, pinning notes to a uniform, etc) for creating identification. Meanwhile, in the United States, military dog tags have origins from the Civil War era. In the mid-19th century, Chinese soldiers wore tags attached to belts that were made from wood. Regardless, it was the Chinese military that became the first in the modern era to incorporate identification tags into the uniform. The legendary Greek warriors were known to carve their names on sticks which they then tied to the wrist.įurthermore, Legionaries in the Roman army wore lead disks around their necks engraved with personal details. The history of military dog tags is extensive.įor starters, you can trace the origins of identification tags back to the Spartans. It serves as a record of the event, while the first tag remains in place to identify the body. The purpose of the second tag is that it can be removed from the soldier in the event of death. It’s normal for soldiers to wear a pair of dog tags with duplicate information. Military dog tags are rust-resistant and traditionally worn with a chain that hangs around the neck. It includes personal information such as full name, blood type, and inoculation history (more information, below). Military dog tags provide essential information about the soldier. Nevertheless, more than a century later, military dog tags remain iconic as well as cherished by veterans. Hearst, a newspaper magnate, wasn’t a fan of the new retirement program and referred to the proposed metal plates as “dog tags” as worn by the military in a derogatory fashion. Hearst made the name up when he heard that the brand new Social Security Administration considered issuing metal nameplates with social security numbers. Reportedly, Hearst was not a fan of President Franklin D. It’s believed that newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst coined the nickname “dog tags.” for modern military identification. While military dog tags are primarily designed to identify soldiers that are seriously injured or killed on the battlefield, they are also a testament to survival.Ĭonsequently, many veterans value their dog tags as an incredible source of pride and honor.įor some, it becomes a sentimental token to a fellow soldier and friend lost in combat. However, dog tags (given the nickname because they resembled the ID tags worn by our favorite pets) also serve as a source of pride. Armed Forces need a method to identify soldiers, including when they are deceased.įor this reason, military dog tags were created over 150 years ago for this purpose. Related Article – Replace Military Dog Tags What Are Military Dog Tags? Image: Armed Forces identification, including the 8 things that are on military dog tags. Learn everything you need to know about U.S. However, the main purpose of dog tags is far more morbid. Military dog tags earned their nickname for the manner they drape around the neck. The iconic piece of identification has origins with the military that dates back more than 150 years.Īs a result, dog tags are generally considered one of the most symbolic features of military service. Military dog tags are one of the most recognizable features of a uniform.
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