The tradition of wearing military dog tags began during the American Civil War. It was a time when over 40% of the Union Army’s dead remained unidentified after the end of hostilities.
The war’s outcome demonstrated that worries regarding recognition were legitimate. It became necessary to provide soldiers with some form of identification. Thus, the tradition of creating military dog tags became widespread and used by service members throughout history.
Today, most military personnel are issued a single set, two matching pieces, during basic training or upon enlistment into their branch’s service component. However, there are still instances where additional copies are issued if the original pair gets damaged or becomes lost while on active duty.
What Do Military Dog Tags Originally Include?
When the concept of a dog tag came up, the question of what to include on military dog tags may have arisen. Since dog tags are not large enough to hold all the relevant information, just the most essential details are etched on them. They are engraved with the soldier’s name, blood type, service number, social security number, and religion.
These dog tags are made up of T304 stainless steel. This type of stainless steel contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel to resist corrosion and other damage to which the dog tags might be exposed. The dog tags are also made from anodized aluminum. This process hardens the metal and makes it more durable than regular aluminum.
Dog tags are essential pieces of military equipment. They are the only way a soldier’s identity can be confirmed if killed in action or captured by enemy forces. These dog tags serve as a permanent record of who the soldier was and what they did during their time of service.
Can Civilians Use Military Dog Tags as Fashion Accessories?
The fashion industry is a massive field, and it is growing at a rapid rate. The revenue is expected to reach US$0.87 trillion by the end of 2022.
This can be attributed to the fact that people are becoming more conscious about what they wear and how they look. They want to be stylish and make a statement whenever they go out in public or engage in an important event. To achieve this goal, they will do anything from wearing shoe earrings to using military dog tags (not the real ones) as fashion accessories.
Yes, these items are used by soldiers on the battlefields. Still, it has also become popular among civilians who wish to make a statement with their attire. Military dog tags are the best bet if you just want something different from what everyone else already has.
And if you look at this trend closely enough, you will realize that the two aren’t that different. Military dog tags are customarily worn around necks for identification purposes. In contrast, civilian ones are used for both identification and aesthetic purposes. Both serve very similar roles even though one might be considered “better” than another, depending on perspective alone.
From Celebs Like Rihanna to Pre-Teens Are Making a Fashion Statement Wearing Military Dog Tags
You can’t go wrong with any military dog tag style. It’s a classic, timeless piece that you can wear for years.
From celebs like Rihanna, Selena Gomez, and Justin Bieber to pre-teens and teenagers, it seems like everyone is wearing military dog tags as a fashion accessory lately. We’ve even seen them on celebrities like Kris Jenner.
What to Include on Military Dog Tags for Personal Touch?
You may wonder what needs to include identification details on military dog tags. In the United States in 2019, 12.15 million vehicles were involved in accidents, with passenger cars making for more than 50% of that total. God forbid, But if you ever become a sufferer of one such accident and end up in a hospital, having military dog tags with your personal information makes it easier for authorities to identify you.
Including your name, address, and phone number on the tags could be a good idea. You can also add other essential details like blood type and allergies, religion, and social security number.
You can also engrave birthdates/anniversary dates/other essential dates that mean something special to you or your loved ones. You can even write down some quotes or musical notes which are meaningful to you. Technically you can engrave anything except impersonating details.
How to Pair Your Military Dog Tag With Your Outfit?
These dog tags are a great way to make a fashion statement. Simply pair them with your outfit, and you’re good to go! Here are some examples:
- A casual outfit: If you want to wear these dog tags with a casual outfit, try pairing them with ripped jeans and a tee shirt. Don’t forget to throw on some sneakers or boots for that extra touch of coolness!
- A formal outfit: If you want to wear these dog tags with a more formal ensemble, consider pairing them with a silk blouse and pencil skirt. You can also add heels to boost the elegance factor even more.
- Men: If you’re a guy, you can wear these dog tags with just about anything. The best thing to do is to go for a casual look and pair them with jeans and a tee shirt or throw on some cargo pants if you want to make the outfit more rugged.
Use Military Dog Tags for Fashion Reasons But Not for Personal Gains
Military dog tags are more than just a piece of jewelry. They symbolize honor and pride for the men and women who dedicated their lives to protect our country. While you may be tempted to use them for fashion purposes, you should know that doing so can be an act of stolen honor, an offensive violation.
Suppose you choose to wear these tags as a fashion accessory. In that case, it is imperative that you avoid using them for personal gain or impersonating someone else in the armed forces or law enforcement field.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed our article on military dog tags and their use as a fashion accessory. As we always say, it’s essential to have something that makes you proud of your service and country. If the only way for someone to do that is by wearing an old dog tag from an old war, then so be it!
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at BlueFashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2013. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
