Dog tag neckless - What is it?

Dog tags are the military identification tags commonly worn by soldiers and military personnel. They are small, flat and usually oval or rectangular trays made of metal, which are hung around the neck with a chain or ribbon. The tags contain important information about the wearer, such as name, social security number (or equivalent), blood type and any religious preferences.

The word "dog tag" comes from the similarity between these identification tags and the tags attached to dog collars to identify the dog's owner. Dog tags have been used in various forms since World War I and are still used by militaries around the world today.

In addition to their military use, dog tags have also become popular as fashion accessories and personal jewelry for the general public. Civilian versions of dog tags can be engraved with personal information, quotes or symbols and worn as part of a necklace or key chain.

Why do dog tags have two identical ID tags?

Dog tags have two tags for practical and historical reasons. Here are some reasons why two trays are used:

1. Identification of Deceased Soldiers: If a soldier is killed in action, one of the tiles is used to mark the deceased's body or personal effects. The other tag is left on the fallen soldier, ensuring that both tags can be used to correctly identify the person and facilitate handling of their remains.
2. Quick information: With two identical tags, important information about the soldier can be shared more quickly. If a soldier is injured or killed, one tile may be returned to higher command or medical personnel, while the other remains with the soldier.
3. Redundancy: Should one of the tiles be destroyed, lost or otherwise rendered unusable, there is still a second tile left to ensure the soldier's information is available.
4. Historical reason: During World War II, soldiers used to place one of the trays between the teeth of the fallen soldier and bend the tray to keep the jaw closed and prevent it from hanging open. The other tag was left on the body for future identification. However, this practice has been abandoned and replaced by more modern methods of dealing with remains.

In conclusion, two dog tags serve as an added security and efficiency when it comes to identifying soldiers and handling their remains during war and conflict.