Do Coasties wear dog tags?

Yes, at least those personnel assigned to a expeditionary warfare unit (i.e PSU) do wear dog tags.

And where is the requirement to wear them?

They wear them at PATFORSWA. I think the requirement would have something to do with a combat zone.

I've worn them in Saudi and Haiti.

In fact, I've had the reds ones for my allergies made, too.

Still have both sets.

are you allowed to wear them?

They were issued to us by the CG, and we did while we were deployed.

What is the issue?

"This member", both of you, are curious about this. Why?

If I decide to wear them everyday, it's my choice, right?

IMO, silly question.

nothing really my friend who is in the Army said that the coast guard doesnt issue them during basic..i was just curious to see if that is true or not

Don't know about that, I was issued my first set by the Army, wore them for three years, and left them hanging in a wall locker at Fort Dix when I out processed.

I did three years USAR, got out, and was issued my next set by the USCGR before going to Saudi in 1990.

I was on the Bear in 99 over in the Adriatic, and never heard one thing about getting tags. However we didn't know we were going until 24 hours before we deployed, so maybe that's why

I was issued them by the Coast Guard and wore them in Iraq.

One day I saw a soldier hooking his second dog tag in a boot, and I asked him why. He answered "so they can match the parts back together."

I was issued them at a MSST.

quote:

Originally posted by davidsonjb:
I was issued them by the Coast Guard and wore them in Iraq.

One day I saw a soldier hooking his second dog tag in a boot, and I asked him why. He answered "so they can match the parts back together."

We did that in Saudi during GW I. One laced into the right bootlaces.

I still carry one on my car keyring.

If anyone wants a set of their own, U.S. Cavalry, Brigade Quatermaster and other police & military equipment supply houses can make them for you.

Even at some shopping center kiosks make them in different colors for you.

I was in from 1986 until 1996. I spent eight of my ten years in operational units. We were never issued them in boot camp and I never received any during my tour of duty.

I enlisted in 1960 and they were issued in boot camp then. Still have mine.

We were issued them at TACLET prior to being deployed to Bahrain for Op. Southern Watch.

MSST'S issue them

Was issued mine in Boot Camp, '72. Hanging in a shadow box now.

I never had them when I served in the USCG from '82 to '88 but I think they are a good idea. Kind of nice to know the blood type right off should you get injured. I don't know how simple it is for a hospital to determine...maybe all of a minute but still.

My son has them with the Marine Corps. I think all the other branches have them, no reason the USCG should feel they can't wear them if desired.

On the subject, I saw something the other day that made me think of how dangerous it can be in a combat zone....some servicemen wearing one tag around their neck and the other in their boot laces since they said you never know which end they will find and have to ID.

Don

I was issued mine while assigned to PSU-305. As for the dog tag in the boot, when I deployed to Egypt, CENTCOM standing orders required us to lace one in the left boot.