What Is A Dog Tag?
Dog tag is the commonly used term for metal identification discs issued to members of the military. A dog tag is one or more metal discs that have information permanently stamped, etched or engraved on them. They are typically worn on a chain as a necklace.
Dog tags come in many different shapes, sizes, and materials with stainless steel being the most commonly used.Soldiers during World War 2 started calling them dog tags as they looked like the kind of tags municipal governments issued to owners of dogs.
What Are Dog Tags For?
Dog tags convey important information for a variety of purposes. The most iconic use of dog tags is that of the military. Not surprisingly dog tags are used to identify dogs, cats, horses, and other animals. They are also used by civilians for many purposes.
Military
Identification tags or discs, commonly called dog tags, are issued by the military to its’ members. The tags contain vital information to identify the wearer and provide basic information about them. The specific information varies by military branch and has changed over time.
Animals
In addition to tags issued by local governments to show that a pet is up to date on their vaccines many animal owners will get custom dog tags. These tags will usually have the animals name and contact information for the owner in case their pet gets lost.
Civilian
There are nearly limitless uses for dog tags but the most common and the most important one is for medical and/or emergency contact information. Civilians don’t have to follow military tags regulations for the type, format, and placement of information allowing them to create tags for any need or want.
Equipment
Whether it is your keys, luggage, tools, industrial equipment, or your airplane dog tags are just as effective at identifying them and what they are for.
Why Use Dog Tags?
Dog tags are very useful because they are:
- Durable
- Light
- Easy to carry as a necklace or on a key chain
- Immediately identifiable
- Obvious to understand their usage
- Simple to use, no tools or internet needed
When Did The Military Start Using Dog Tags
Roman soldiers were issued a piece of lead called a signaculum. This tag may have contained personal information.
During the American Civil War there were some attempts to organize the issuance of some form of identification to soldiers however nothing came of this. Individuals could purchase personalized engraved pins or stamped coins to identify themselves and their unit. This can be seen as the precursor to military id tags, but they were not widely used, and they were not issued by the military. Many soldiers improvised writing their information on a pinned piece of cloth or etching it onto clothing.
In the early 1900s the US military along with other countries started issuing tags. These tags were often round and made of aluminum.
Dog tags as most people think of them came into being during WW2 when the M1940 style of rectangular rounded edge tags with the notch in one end was adopted for use by the US Army. The US Navy and Marine Corps continued to use an oval tag.
Are Dog Tags Still Used In The Military
Currently in 2019 the US Army, Air Force, and the Marine Corps still issue and use dog tags.
The US Navy has recently canceled their regulations for dog tags and no longer issue them to sailors.
The US Coast Guard has not regularly issued dog tags since 1974. When deploying to a combat zone members of the Coast Guard were issued tags.
Why Do Dog Tags Come In Pairs
Most but not all military dog tags are issued as a pair. In case of death one tag stays with the body while the second tag is taken by the unit and returned to their command. Some countries, like Canada, issue a single tag which has a groove to allow them to be snapped in two serving the same purpose as a pair of tags.
What Do The Numbers On Dog Tags Mean
The answer depends on what military branch issued the tag, what the regulations of the time were, and the individual choices made by the press operator at the base.
For more information on the history of numbers used by the US Military check out our article on Dog Tag Numbers.
What Do Red Dog Tags Mean
The US Military issues an extra dog tag to personnel who have specific medical conditions. This tag is different from the standard dog tag as it is:
- Red
- Made of aluminum
- Is longer
- Issued as a single tag not as a pair. It is worn alongside the standard set of dog tags.
The medical warning tag is worn on the same chain as the standard set of dog tags. You can see or order an army medical dog tag whether you are a civilian, a veteran or active duty military personnel.
What Are Dog Tags Made Of
Most dog tags in existence are made of stainless steel. This metal is durable, corrosion resistant, and plentiful. During WW2 several metals were used for periods of time including brass and Monel. The metal used was changed when there were either shortages of it or other uses like munitions were prioritized. Monel is an alloy of nickel and copper along with other elements. Interestingly most US military regulations explicitly mention Monel as the metal to be used even though it quickly became unavailable during WW2 and stainless steel became the de facto standard.
