Mary Allen
Introduction: The Purpose of Dog Tags
Dog tags are small metal tags that are worn by military personnel, as well as by civilians in certain professions. They serve as identification tags and provide crucial information about the wearer. In this article, we will explore the history of dog tags and the purpose of the notch that is found on some dog tags.
The History of Dog Tags
The use of identification tags dates back to ancient times, when soldiers would wear amulets or other identifying symbols to mark their allegiance. However, the modern dog tag as we know it today was first used during the American Civil War. Soldiers would write their name, regiment, and other identifying information on a piece of paper and pin it to their uniform. This practice was later replaced by metal identification tags, which were first introduced during World War I.
The Notch on Dog Tags: What is It?
The notch on a dog tag is a small cut or indentation that is made in the tag, usually at one end. It is a feature that is found on some dog tags, but not all. The purpose of the notch is to make it easier to remove the tag from the body of the wearer, either for identification purposes or in the event of the wearer’s death. The notch is also used to indicate which end of the tag should be inserted into the tag reader, to ensure that the information is read correctly.