Military dog tags provide a critical service to the military by identifying service members and connecting them with their important medical information and military records. As such, they should be treated with respect, and it’s important to understand that they should never be destroyed.
Not only is destroying military dog tags against policy and protocol, it could also be considered a crime in some jurisdictions.
If for some reason the tags need to be disposed of, there are a few protocols that should be followed. First, if the service member is still alive, the tags should be taken out of circulation and turned over to their unit or command so they can either put them in the file of a service member who has passed away and has no family to receive the tags, or can properly dispose of the tags.
If the service member is deceased and has no next of kin to receive the tags, usually the best method for disposal is to send them to the Veterans’ Administration and request that they be buried with the service member’s remains, or simply mail them to the office of the branch of the service in which the person served.
Whichever method is used, it is important to not simply throw the tags away or burn them. Doing so would be disrespectful to the service person and their memory, as well as breaking military protocol and potentially be considered a crime.
Does the military let you keep your dog tags?
Yes, the military allows you to keep your dog tags. In fact, it’s a long-standing tradition to have and hold onto your dog tags from when you served. Dog tags are a reminder of your time in the military and the sacrifices you made.
Many soldiers keep their dog tags around their neck as a reminder of their time in the military and the experience and knowledge that came with it. Dog tags can also be kept as souvenirs or worn as a symbol of your service.
If a former service member wants to get more dog tags, they can always contact their local military personnel office for assistance.
What happens to your dog tags when you leave the military?
When you leave the military, you are required to turn in your dog tags. Your dog tags should be turned in to the Personnel Office which can be found at either a military base or at the discharge site.
Once the tags are turned in, they are recorded in the military’s personnel database, and they remain on file indefinitely in the database. After they are processed, the tags are usually recycled, because it would be impractical to keep them in storage.
Some people choose to keep their dog tags as a keepsake, however, and some military base or discharge sites may offer to return the tags for an administrative fee. If this option is available to you, then it is up to your discretion whether or not you take advantage of it.
What can you do with old dog tags?
If you have old dog tags, there are several things you can do with them.
One of the most popular options is to keep the tags as a memento. Dog tags are often a reminder of a special pet, who held a unique place in the owner’s heart. Whether the pet is still alive or has passed on, keeping the tags can help the owner to remember them fondly.
Another option is to repurpose the tags as jewelry. The tags can be used on a necklace, bracelet, or other type of jewelry. This allows the owner to keep the tags as a reminder of their pet, while also wearing them in a decorative way.
The tags can also be used to create art, such as a framed collage or a sculpture. This is a great way to turn the tags into something that can be enjoyed and shared with family and friends.
Finally, the tags can be used to help other animals. For example, some animal shelters accept donations of old dog tags to create jewelry that can be sold as a fundraiser for their organization. This is a great way to help animals in need while also keeping the memories of your beloved pet alive.
Can you burn a dog tag?
No, you should not burn a dog tag. This is because dog tags are usually made from stainless steel or anodized aluminum or nickel-plated brass, which are all heat resistant materials. Even if you attempt to burn a dog tag, the heat from the flame will not be hot enough to melt the metal.
Furthermore, burning a dog tag is disrespectful to the men and women of the armed forces who wear this symbol of their commitment and dedication to serving their country. Additionally, as dog tags are meant to last, burning it will not only render it unusable, but will also deny the next of kin the opportunity to keep a treasured keepsake of a loved one who has served in the military.
Is it illegal to walk a dog without a dog tag?
The laws surrounding whether it is legal to walk a dog without a dog tag vary depending on where you live, as each local government may have varying laws in place. In most places, such as the UK, it is not illegal to walk a dog without a dog tag, but it is strongly advised against as it can lead to a lot of problems.
If a dog is not wearing a valid dog tag that has the name, address, and contact information of the owner, then the local authority may be unable to reunite a lost dog with its owner. Additionally, if a dog is found to be straying, then the owner is liable to receive a fine.
Therefore, it is always best to ensure that your dog is wearing a valid dog tag when out for a walk.
Are dog tags still a thing?
Yes, dog tags are still a thing. Dog tags have been around for centuries, and have been used for military identification purposes since the Civil War. They are still commonly worn by many members of the military, and can be used to identify personnel, their blood type, and other important information.
The traditional dog tag is a flat aluminum or stainless steel disc, about the size of a quarter, that is typically worn on a chain or a lanyard around the neck. Some military personnel may also opt to wear plastic dog tags, which are more lightweight, flexible, and customizable.
Modern dog tags can now include GPS tracking, radio frequency identification (RFID), and barcodes. Some people also choose to engrave their own personal information into the tags as a way of ensuring that they are more easily identified in the event of an emergency.
Is it OK to wear someone else’s dog tags?
Generally speaking, it is not considered acceptable to wear someone else’s dog tags. Dog tags are military identification which are assigned to a specific individual and they can also be used as a sign of remembrance to honor a fallen solider.
Military dog tags have emotional significance, beyond just being a way of identification. As such, it would not be considered appropriate to wear someone else’s dog tags without that person’s permission.
Even if a person has permission to wear someone else’s dog tags, they should not do so lightly. It should be done in a respectful manner and with a great deal of regard for the person whose tags they are wearing.
In some cases, it may be more respectful to just display the dog tags instead of wearing them. Ultimately, when deciding whether or not to wear someone else’s dog tags, that person’s wishes and the circumstances surrounding it should be taken into account.
Can I wear my dog tags in civilian clothes?
Yes, you can wear your dog tags in civilian clothes. Wearing your dog tags is a personal choice and it’s up to you how and when you would like to wear them. It is a great way to show your pride in your service or to honor a loved one who served in the military.
Some people wear the tags as part of their everyday wardrobe, while others only wear them on special occasions or during important events such as Veteran’s Day. Of course, you will want to remove them in more formal settings such as weddings or job interviews.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide when you would like to wear your dog tags and in what situations.
How long do animal tags last?
The length of time a tag or device embedded in animals can last is highly variable and depends on the type of tag or device used. For example, for ear tags, the lifetime of the tags will be affected by the material used and how the ear tag is attached.
Typically, these tags will last for two to three years before they need to be replaced. Other devices, such as microchips, may even last for the entire lifetime of the animal. Most often, animal tags will be utilized to assist in the identification and tracking of animals, and the tag should remain in place until the animal no longer needs to be identified and tracked.
What to do with military dog tags after death?
The military regulations and protocols regarding what to do with a service member’s dog tags after death depend on the branch of the service. After death, United States Army regulations call for the dog tags to be buried with the deceased service members, in their military uniform if available, normally inside an individual grave marker or in an urn for cremated remains.
United States Air Force and United States Navy regulations call for dog tags to not be buried with the service members. Instead, these branches typically call for the dog tags to be retired as part of a memorial service.
This may be done by attaching the dog tags to a wreath or in another meaningful way.
The protocols for the United States Marine Corps dictate that dog tags should be turned into the Casualty Assistance Center. This is done so that an inventory of dog tags for deceased Marines is kept up to date.
If a service member’s dog tags were lost or missing and never found, the branch of service should be able to provide a replacement set. This can be done by sending a request to the branch’s relevant office or to the commanding officer of the deceased service member.
Can dog tags be destroyed?
Yes, dog tags can be destroyed. Depending on what it is that you need or want to do with the tags. You can physically break them or cut them in half, discharge them with a hammer or a sledgehammer, or use a machine that is specifically designed for destroying dog tags.
If you want to dispose of the dog tags in a respectful manner, you can ceremonially dip the tags in water for a certain length of time, or you can bury the tags near where you found them or at a special location of your choosing.
Can I get my deceased father’s dog tags?
Yes, you can get your deceased father’s dog tags. Depending on the era in which your father served, the dog tags may have been issued in a variety of materials. For instance, during World War I and World War II, dog tags were made of metal and included a soldier’s name, serial number, and religion.
Today, dog tags are typically made of PVC plastic and can be found on military personnel and veterans.
If you want to obtain the dog tags from your late father, you could contact your local military veteran organizations or your father’s branch of service. You can also reach out to organizations such as the National Archives to help you locate and obtain any records from your father’s service.
If you know the specific unit your father served in, that also could help with the process. If you are unable to locate your father’s dog tags, you could consider having a replica set made as a tribute to his service.
Why do soldiers wear 2 dog tags?
Soldiers wear two dog tags for various reasons. For one, military dog tags provide a way for a soldier’s identity to be identified if the soldier is killed or injured and is unable to speak for themselves.
The two tags are stamped with the soldier’s name, branch of service, and Social Security number, allowing the wearer to be identified by health care professionals or the military.
Dog tags also serve as a way to quickly and easily track the unit a soldier belongs to. Tags are used in addition to other identification materials, such as a soldier’s uniform, helmet and weapons, as a way of helping to quickly discern which unit a soldier belongs to.
In some circumstances, things can happen that require data to be made available to medical personnel or other medical facilities. The dog tags help with this, providing clear, printed information about the soldier.
And with GPS technology, it can even tell which unit the soldier is a part of.
Having two dog tags allows for one to remain with the body in the event of death and the second one can stay with the injured soldier in case additional medical attention is needed. Having two dog tags can streamline the process of providing important identification details to any relevant parties in a timely and efficient manner.
Will dog tags rust?
Yes, dog tags can rust. Dog tags generally contain metal, usually stainless steel, and are sometimes plated with a different material, such as gold or silver. Despite the name, some pet tags are also plastic or nylon.
While stainless steel is typically rust-resistant, it can still corrode if exposed to moisture and oxygen over long periods of time. Also, if materials are plated or coated, the plating or coating can wear off and leave the base metal prone to rusting.
To ensure your dog tags stay rust-free for as long as possible, keep them polished with a soft cloth and away from moisture or humidity. Additionally, if you keep your tags in a special place when your pet isn’t wearing them, it will further reduce their chance of rusting.
