If captured, a SM's SSN is an open door for the enemy's cyber warfare. Should DoD go back to using serial numbers instead of SSNs?

MAJ Joseph Parker — Wed, 17 May 2017 20:25:35 -0400

When captured, SMs may disclose name, rank and SSN. However, disclosing an SSN to an enemy is giving them a bullet for cyber warfare, especially given the USG's poor record for information security. Wouldn't it be prudent for DoD to go back to using serial numbers ILO SSNs to protect information systems? The USG does not disclose SSNs in correspondence or on line. Why give them to an enemy?

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2017 8:29 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 May 2017 20:29:11 -0400

They are - transition is slow, however. New CACs have a DOD ID number on them and it is being used for OERs and NCOERs.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 17 at 2017 8:29 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 17 May 2017 20:29:23 -0400

Sounds Like a Great Idea To Me.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made May 17 at 2017 9:16 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Wed, 17 May 2017 21:16:00 -0400

Yes. Me and several others discussed this ten, fifteen years ago - and we were far from the first

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2017 10:39 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 May 2017 22:39:36 -0400

Totally agree.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made May 17 at 2017 11:42 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Wed, 17 May 2017 23:42:54 -0400

My retired ID has a DOD ID number, no SSN. It was done back in 2011 when my wife renewed her ID. I figured it would be the norm by now.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 18 at 2017 12:59 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Thu, 18 May 2017 00:59:57 -0400

May I recover my ancient RA 1947xxxx?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2017 9:18 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 May 2017 09:18:57 -0400

This is why we are converting to using DoD ID numbers.
It has been a slow transition. This has been discussed for over a decade.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2017 9:44 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 May 2017 09:44:09 -0400

Wasnt this another reason why the Military switched to DoD ID Numbers?

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made May 18 at 2017 11:01 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 18 May 2017 11:01:20 -0400

I remember when they went to the DoD ID number, sometime after the first BDU issue. Interesting tidbit. If you also do Federal Civil Service, that number remains the same so it really is a Federal Employee ID number. That way, when there are varied benefits, one person = one number. That way the SSN that's linked to it captures all the salary numbers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2017 12:38 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 May 2017 12:38:25 -0400

I'm sure any adversary already has my and thousands of other SSNs after the OPM breach. So oh well. If you have a security clearance, they have your SSN already.

Response by SSG Dale London made May 18 at 2017 1:49 PM

SSG Dale London — Thu, 18 May 2017 13:49:46 -0400

Absolutely - especially as the law under which the Social Security system was formed in the first place stated categorically that SSN's were NOT to be used for identification purposes.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made May 19 at 2017 4:47 PM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Fri, 19 May 2017 16:47:56 -0400

This is a great question and one of those that in 2017, I have to hit my own head. If I was still working, and especially as the G-2 for USA CECOM, I would have probably gone to the CG and tell him to fire me. I should have thought of this 5-10 years ago. It is just incredible to think that PVT Joe does not know the answer to Name Rank and Service Number. If you are captured, pray that the explosion that disabled you did not damage or destroy your ID card. Anyone memorized the number on the new ID cards. (Does that number change when you get a new ID card?) IF you failed to remember your serial number...? I guess we can not ask that in an inspection?
The good thing is ISIS will not ask for your serial number. BUT, we have troops near Russia supporting the old Warsaw Pact Countries. That battle would have a POW swap. I would hate to not qualify for a swap because I did not remember my serial number on my ID card.
(What are we teaching in SERE courses?)

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jul 23 at 2020 10:44 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 10:44:44 -0400

Cool they changed it, now have to change again, since SSAN gone away.. Was Name, Rank and Serial number. Change back to Name, Rank and Serial number. I've had 8 now. LOL