by 
The Curious Bag
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Dog tags are used for identification by the branches of the military. They have been used by the U.S. since 1899. They are issued in sets of two and contain some information about the soldier.
What They're Used For
Dog tags are a method of identifying soldiers who have been injured or died in battle. Without these, the deceased are often difficult to ID.
In the Beginning
In 1899 during the Spanish-American War, soldiers were issued an identity disk. Before that, soldiers sometimes wrote their names on pieces of paper pinned to their uniforms.
Information
Traditional dog tags are engraved with some information about the soldier. They usually have first name, last name, military serial number, blood type and religious preference.
How They're Worn
Military regulations require that one tag be worn from the neck. The other is usually attached to a boot. U.S. Forces are also permitted to wear a small religious medallion, usually provided for them. This provides a quick, easily identifiable reference for a chaplain should his services be required.
New Name
Recently, the U.S. Army stopped using the term "dog tags," replacing it with "ID tags."
Source:
Resource:
Dog Tag Project
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