Dog Tags

[Stonewall]

WIWAC, I absolutely had to have dog tags.  I bought them from the CAP Bookstore and wore them like they were the coolest thing I could have at the time.

In the Army, I only wore them when they required me to; in the field, flying or deployed.

Now, in the Guard, I actually wear them anytime I'm armed up, flying or deployed.

While playing globetrotter, I never wore them, nor did I carry my military ID in case we got hijacked, I didn't want to be ID'd as military, especially when I wasn't performing military duties.

[Major Lord]

I bought a set from Nametapes.com, but just for fun. Like you, I don't carry LE or CAP ID when traveling. I don't think Haji is going to make fine distinctions when he is looking for someone to behead....If the bad guys show up on the airplane, try to look Canadian, eh, ya hosers?

Major Lord

[SDF_Specialist]

I'm not in the military. I'd like to be, but that's not why I wear dogtags. I wear them because I like them. Kind of a cool thing for me.

[Stonewall]

Like you, I don't carry LE or CAP ID when traveling.

I sure as heck carry my LE creds if I'm carrying, onboard and aircraft or otherwise, but that's a given.

[pixelwonk]

My dog's tags say "Emma."
She only wears 'em  because otherwise she'd be naked.

[MIKE]

I used to wear them WIWAC.  Thought it was a good idea for KC-135 flights etc.  I don't recommend getting the subdued ones though... the pair I had turned my neck all black when the coating wore of the chain. 

I kinda wish there was a better format than the "standard" as was printed in the old Bookstore catalog though.  Something that better supplements the CAPF 60 and membership card you already carry.

[Hawk200]

I was required to wear them when I started my flight status. Most of the time, I just put them on without even thinking about it, and try to stay used to wearing them.

[MIKE]

As a point of reference on content.

[hatentx]

haha i hate wearing those thing they stay in my wallet and .... yep they are still there.  I had to look i oculd tell you the last time i pulled them out

[mikeylikey]

I have worn the same set since 1998.  I take them off about once a month and dip them in clorox, as they tend to "have a slight odor".  However, metal chain has been replaced by a hemp woven necklace I picked up in an Afghan market about 4 years ago.

Also got some awesome hookah's (Huka) if anyone is interested in purchasing them.  They are beautiful glass pieces produced by the finest Iraqi glass blowers.  I think I paid 10 US Dollars for 5 of them, then sent them back to the States in my buddies duffel, so he would take the heat if they (the man) found them.  They also sell pearls and a crap load of other "shiny" things in both Iraqi and Afghan markets.  I have a small fortune in silver pen-knives. 

What was this thread about.........

[SAR-EMT1]

My dog's tags say "Emma."
She only wears 'em  because otherwise she'd be naked.

You Sir, have earned my greatest revenge.

Porky Pig wears no pants.

[FlyingTerp]

What is the correct format for Dog Tags?

Is it something like this?

LASTNAME
FIRSTNAME MI
CAPID or SSN
BLOOD TYPE CAP
RELIGION

[MIKE]

^ Not according to the Bookstore catalog.

Edited to add: From the 2001 catalog.

NAME
SSN
STREET ADDRESS
STATE ZIP
OPTIONAL SPACE (NO BLOOD TYPE)

[SDF_Specialist]

What is the correct format for Dog Tags?

Is it something like this?

LASTNAME
FIRSTNAME MI
CAPID or SSN
BLOOD TYPE CAP
RELIGION

CAP doesn't want you to put your blood type for some reason. On mine, it's set like this:
Last, First name
SSN
DOB
Religion

What more information could paramedics need? They have your SSN and your DOB.

[BigMojo]

How would blood type NOT be valuable information in case of emergency?

[MIKE]

Supposedly because people put the wrong blood type... wearing dads tags etc.  Thats the rumor I've heard anyway.

[SDF_Specialist]

^^what he said^^

[Hawk200]

What is the correct format for Dog Tags?

Is it something like this?

LASTNAME
FIRSTNAME MI
CAPID or SSN
BLOOD TYPE CAP
RELIGION

For the military, that's pretty much it, with SSN, and blood type by itself. The Army adds a third red tag if you have any medicinal allergies, but that seems to be an Army thing, I don't know if any other branches do it.

[BigMojo]

One would think common sense would kick in here, and if you didn't know you're blood type, you wouldn't put anything, or wear someone else's when taking part in a mission/exercise.

But that's just me thinking logically! 

[jb512]

Supposedly because people put the wrong blood type... wearing dads tags etc.  Thats the rumor I've heard anyway.

Well that's their fault.  Stupid tends to have an upward effect on administrators and policy writers though.  I have my blood type written on both sides of my ballistic vest (LE) (although I've never worn dogtags).

[Flying Pig]

Ive never worn them for CAP.  If I crash on a CAP mission they are going to know who I am.  As far as blood type, regardless of what it says on your tags, they are going to type your blood before they stick you anyway. The ER isnt going to take your dog tags word for it.  It takes them no time at all to do it.  Aside from you being an unknown soldier....nobody is going to kick your dog tags into your teeth and send you back home in a bag.  I could see an alergy tag though.  Besides....it pulls my manly chest hairs.

[Eclipse]

CAP doesn't want you to put your blood type for some reason. On mine, it's set like this:

Its not that CAP "doesn't want" blood type on your tags - there are no specific guidelines for contents - just that CAP Mart, and I assume now Vanguard, would not make you a set to avoid the liability if you indicate wrong.

Mine are:

Last
First MI
SSN
Blood Type
Religion

Though frankly CAP members are rarely in a situation like combat where blood is needed with no time to type, so I doubt it'll make much difference.

I wear them whenever I am in uniform, or situations where I am traveling and if injured or incapactiated
being anonymous would be "inconvenient".

I also generally carry my CAP credentials when I travel.

[♠SARKID♠]

I used to wear them, but I haven't for the past few years.

[Mister Johnny]

I always wear dog tags when Flying

I also wear them when I am on my daily run, just in case I have the grabber

[RiverAux]

I bought a set from Nametapes.com, but just for fun. Like you, I don't carry LE or CAP ID when traveling. I don't think Haji is going to make fine distinctions when he is looking for someone to behead....If the bad guys show up on the airplane, try to look Canadian, eh, ya hosers?

Major Lord

Remember the CAP member who was detained in Cuba (I think) for a while in the late 1990s because he had his CAP ID with him?  I believe he was awarded some sort of POW award by the United Kingdom for it -- not sure why the UK would care though. 

[Eclipse]

I bought a set from Nametapes.com, but just for fun. Like you, I don't carry LE or CAP ID when traveling. I don't think Haji is going to make fine distinctions when he is looking for someone to behead....If the bad guys show up on the airplane, try to look Canadian, eh, ya hosers?

Major Lord

Remember the CAP member who was detained in Cuba (I think) for a while in the late 1990s because he had his CAP ID with him?  I believe he was awarded some sort of POW award by the United Kingdom for it -- not sure why the UK would care though. 

He may not have been a US citizen - cause if he was, he is not legally allowed to be there without a LOT of hoops.

[CFI_Ed]

I used to wear my old military ID tags but now I wear one of these.
http://www.roadid.com/common/id.aspx?hash=fixx#fixx  I saw the ad in a bicycling magazine; with the FIXX ID tag you can put  much more useful information on it.

(Note: I have no affiliation with this company other than being a wannabe roadie )

[Hoser]

If I wanted to wear dog tags I'd have stayed in the Coast Guard

[NIN]

I fly a lot, but mostly one way trips.  Don't want my tags sneaking out in freefall.  Plus I don't wear anything of that sort (jewelery, watch, necklace) to avoid snags and such. 

When I'm flying flying (as in "passenging") I wear that with my flight suit or under my BDUs.  As far as I'm concerned, they're part of my flight uniform.  I don't always wear them when I'm in BDUs at a squadron meeting.

When I wear ACUs, I tend to wear them, too.  Dunno why, force of habit, I guess....

[Stonewall]

Quick trivia ref dog tags.

How many beeds on the large chain?  365

How many on the small?  52

It may be obvious, but why is this?  Anyone?  Beuller?

I learned this as a cadet and then it was talked about at SERE school.

[Hawk200]

Quick trivia ref dog tags.

How many beeds on the large chain?  365

How many on the small?  52

It may be obvious, but why is this?  Anyone?  Beuller?

I learned this as a cadet and then it was talked about at SERE school.

Seems to correspond to days and weeks. Is it that obvious, or something more subtle?

[Eclipse]

And those of us with bigger necks have longer chains...

[Stonewall]

Don't quote me on the exact wording, but yes, they correspond to 365 days in a year and 52 weeks in a year.  If you're a POW or evading during survival conditions, I guess there is a way to separate the beads to count the days and weeks; keeping track of your time in captivity or elsewhere.

[O-Rex]

I wear them when flying as a vestigial remnant of my former life when I got paid to do it for Uncle Sam: under the rolled collar of the flightsuit, and under the T-shirt (Don't know about the other services, but old-timers Ft. Rucker/Ft. Wolters alumni will understand.)

Some folks wear them "Vietnam-style" in their flight boot laces, which is a bit 'over the top' for CAP.

For me, it's more of a personal quirk than functionality: if you are unconscious/dying/dead in the red white & blue Cessna, chances are you'll be identified.

[Hawk200]

I wear them when flying as a vestigial remnant of my former life when I got paid to do it for Uncle Sam: under the rolled collar of the flightsuit, and under the T-shirt (Don't know about the other services, but old-timers Ft. Rucker/Ft. Wolters alumni will understand.)

Still a tradition. I started aircrew training five weeks ago on Blackhawks, and my SI taught me that. I've even done it on a couple of flights as a mission scanner. Probably don't really need it in a Cessna, just been doing it out of habit.

[DeputyDog]

Remember the CAP member who was detained in Cuba (I think) for a while in the late 1990s because he had his CAP ID with him?  I believe he was awarded some sort of POW award by the United Kingdom for it -- not sure why the UK would care though. 

He may not have been a US citizen - cause if he was, he is not legally allowed to be there without a LOT of hoops.

He was a U.S. citizen. I believe he was going to Cuba to do archaeological research (memory is a bit hazy over that). He had permission to go based on the academic purpose of his trip. He was a professor at a university in Florida.

[NIN]

Still a tradition. I started aircrew training five weeks ago on Blackhawks, and my SI taught me that. I've even done it on a couple of flights as a mission scanner. Probably don't really need it in a Cessna, just been doing it out of habit.

That's my habit, too.

Had some dip-dunk Lt Col bark at me at a mission once about "allowing my jewelry to show." I pulled out my tags and said "At least my remains will go in the correct box. I'd prefer if yours weren't intermingled with mine..." That caused him to stop talking for awhile.

I worked with a student today who had his packing tool (small titanium bar with a 12-14" length of Spectra line attached, used for extra leverage when closing parachute containers) around his neck. I suggested he remove it when jumping, and he asked me why. I said "Unlike jewelry or dogtags, that Spectra and that titanium won't yield and snap if something gets hooked on it. Like during deployment.   Think about how strong that Spectra is and how not strong, in comparison, the flesh of your neck is."

He took it off.

[dougsnow]

For the military, that's pretty much it, with SSN, and blood type by itself. The Army adds a third red tag if you have any medicinal allergies, but that seems to be an Army thing, I don't know if any other branches do it.

Marine Corps does as well - mine said ALLERGIC TO BEE STINGS - and all of my medical records from MEPS on were stamped in BIG letters with that, and on the cover of the medical records jacket.

[NIN]

Don't quote me on the exact wording, but yes, they correspond to 365 days in a year and 52 weeks in a year.  If you're a POW or evading during survival conditions, I guess there is a way to separate the beads to count the days and weeks; keeping track of your time in captivity or elsewhere.

Hey, UK, I hate to rain on your parade on this one, but that's like the whole "Whats in the ball on top of the flagpole" thing.

I just came across three brown packets in my insignia box:

NSN 8465-00-261-6629
NECKLACE, PERSONNEL
IDENTIFICATION TAG
1 EACH
DLA 100-89-F-EF40
A/B 5-31-90

LOT NO. 7

They were stapled shut, so I opened one and counted the balls on the small chain.

45

Then I used it against the large chain. Counted out two lengths, then used that 90 on the large chain to count out 180, plus about 45 more. (Once I saw that it was a LOT shorter than 365, I moved into my "best guesstimate mode" for time saving).

So about 225 on the longer chain. 

They compare favorably, length-wise, to the two other sets of U.S. Army issued dog tags I have.

You don't happen to know where a guy can find 25 gallons of rotor wash, do ya?

[Stonewall]

Don't quote me on the exact wording, but yes, they correspond to 365 days in a year and 52 weeks in a year.  If you're a POW or evading during survival conditions, I guess there is a way to separate the beads to count the days and weeks; keeping track of your time in captivity or elsewhere.

Hey, UK, I hate to rain on your parade on this one, but that's like the whole "Whats in the ball on top of the flagpole" thing.

I just came across three brown packets in my insignia box:

NSN 8465-00-261-6629
NECKLACE, PERSONNEL
IDENTIFICATION TAG
1 EACH
DLA 100-89-F-EF40
A/B 5-31-90

LOT NO. 7

They were stapled shut, so I opened one and counted the balls on the small chain.

45

Then I used it against the large chain. Counted out two lengths, then used that 90 on the large chain to count out 180, plus about 45 more. (Once I saw that it was a LOT shorter than 365, I moved into my "best guesstimate mode" for time saving).

So about 225 on the longer chain. 

They compare favorably, length-wise, to the two other sets of U.S. Army issued dog tags I have.

You don't happen to know where a guy can find 25 gallons of rotor wash, do ya

Hey dude, I'm not one to pass on bad p00p.  I have personally counted DT chains before and it came up exactly 52 and 365.  Now I'm going to have to break out my DTs and see for myself, again.  Last time I counted, when I was that friggin bored, it came up to the amount said.

Seriously, I ain't pulling one of those newby jokes...

BTW, can you go get the keys to DZ, they're right next to the rolls of woodline.

[Stonewall]

Just pulled out a new set of chains and like you said, they were short at least by 100.

Sorry for the bum info, I personally counted a set years ago and counted 365 and 52.  Maybe they realized it was rediculous to have chains that long and no one would ever be able to keep track of beeds smaller than a .177 cal BB.

Look, I hate passing on bad intel, and I wouldn't have done it if I hadn't personally counted.  At SERE school in '05, an instructor brought it up during a class.  Maybe he said "they used to be 365/52", but nonetheless, they obviously aren't that way now.

Push-ups, push-ups complete.

[Hawk200]

Had some dip-dunk Lt Col bark at me at a mission once about "allowing my jewelry to show." I pulled out my tags and said "At least my remains will go in the correct box. I'd prefer if yours weren't intermingled with mine..." That caused him to stop talking for awhile.

Nice. I gotta remember that one. Aviation guys get that a lot, now I've got something to work with. 

[O-Rex]

I got that once too, to which I replied "Jewelry? This ain't no pomise-ring I'm wearing, and I didn't get it a Zale's Jewelers: I got it from Uncle Sam for the going price of four-plus years of my life: these tags have more mileage than a '63 Volkswagen-where's yours?"

Guaranteed to put the brakes on some nitpicking onslaught.

[JayT]

http://www.snopes.com/military/notch.asp

Last paragraph.