What are your thoughts on religious symbols worn with dog tags

2015-03-31T11:29:17-04:00

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Mar 31 at 2015 11:30 AM

2015-03-31T11:30:46-04:00

I promise points to the first person to ID every symbol in this image.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2015 11:44 AM

2015-03-31T11:44:20-04:00

It's not a half bad idea. We already write our religious preferences on them...stamping the symbol instead could be done. Allow the service member to have the symbol close to their heart. The problem I see with it is it would be costly and not nearly as efficient as writing the words.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Mar 31 at 2015 1:07 PM

2015-03-31T13:07:00-04:00

I guess my thought is this: Dog tags are for fast identification in the event of death. Religious preference is already put on the tag in wording... I don't know most of the symbols that are on that poster, so if you place a stamp of the image, would do ME no good in trying to arrange for your "religious wishes" during end of life...just before or after. If you want to have ADDITIONAL image on your tags, should be your personal expense, as long as everything else fits and stays the same. If I recall correctly, you are already ALLOWED to wear a religious symbol around your neck in addition to your dog tags... must stay inside your t-shirt if I remember correctly. Adding image to dog tag at govt expense is waste of time and money.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2015 1:12 PM

2015-03-31T13:12:48-04:00

Some guy wants a Cross or Star of David or pentagram hanging on or with their dogdag chains, let em. I mean it's worn under the shirt anyway so the significance and effect are both purely personal. They can buy them themselves though (or get em for free, I can't hardly move five feet without getting a rosary or crucifix shoved in my face along with a fist full of pamphlets).

Response by LTC John Shaw made Mar 31 at 2015 2:38 PM

2015-03-31T14:38:22-04:00

Technology has advanced since WWII, we no longer need the pieces of metal around the neck. We did not use them to identify remains in my Kandahar, Afghanistan deployment, so I think it is time for them to go.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2015 8:22 PM

2015-03-31T20:22:10-04:00

I really don't have an issue with it. As long as they conceal their tags as they are supposed to and their display of faith is conservative as not to distract from having an military appearance.

Response by SSgt Randy Saulsberry made Mar 31 at 2015 8:32 PM

2015-03-31T20:32:40-04:00

What does it matter if someone is wearing a religious symbol with the dog tag. It's under a shirt and Noone will ever see it. What they do in the name of their religion is what's most important.

Response by PO2 David Hagwood made Mar 31 at 2015 8:34 PM

2015-03-31T20:34:13-04:00

Looks like the 29% who think it should be banned must be the PC folks. The last I checked Chaplains share a few of the same uniforms we wear and they wear the symbols on their uniform. Also, you don't see the dog tags in uniform anyway, they're tucked away in our t-shirts. Either way, it's good enough to have the name religious beliefs stamped on it; but the symbol should be paid for out of pocket if the individual wants it, not that it would cost much.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2015 9:36 PM

2015-03-31T21:36:16-04:00

Everyone on this post has made great points. I'm now convinced that just keeping the written form is probably best...until dog tags are phased out in lieu of a digital implant or something.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Mar 31 at 2015 9:39 PM

2015-03-31T21:39:37-04:00

If they want it, do it themselves. There are so many out there how can DoD keep track of them all? Oh and if they don't have mine, I'll sue for discrimination.

Response by CH (COL) Geoff Bailey made Mar 31 at 2015 9:47 PM

2015-03-31T21:47:09-04:00

Religious freedom is a hallmark of our country and the DoD places a strong emphasis on each person's right to adhere to his/her faith. This is why service members are permitted to wear personal religious items IAW their respective service branch guidelines.

The First Ammendment to the Constitution prohibits the government from inhibiting free exercise while simultaneously not establishing or endorsing any faith group. To ban personal religious items, one would need a compelling argument establishing that article's negative impact upon mission accomplishment. Most of those reasons would also preclude wearing ID tags as well, and are therefore not concerned with personal religious sentiments/practices.

Response by SGT Tyler G. made Mar 31 at 2015 10:16 PM

2015-03-31T22:16:28-04:00

This is one of those areas where it is a matter of personal expression that doesn't affect me or others of different or no faiths. So, in a change of pace, I will support the right for those who are religious to wear their holy symbol with their dog tags.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Apr 2 at 2015 9:40 PM

2015-04-02T21:40:42-04:00

In an age where we as a nation seem to be getting involved in fighting within nations which are largely Islamic against many enemies which take the Koran seriously and try to follow its guidance including death to infidels, it makes sense to leave personal statements of faith off "dog tags" as long as the faith is included in the "official" personnel files. Since Al Qaida, ISIL and similar groups are not subscribers to the Geneva Conventions they have no obligation to treat prisoners or wounded with respect. We may fight more conventional wars in the future; but, I think keeping minimum essential information on dog tags is the best way to proceed. I had no-preference on my dog tags from my enlistment in 1974 onwards. Caveat: I went from being an atheist to a believer in Christ in 1987, and as far as I know, I did not have another dog tag made before I transferred from the retired rolls to in 2008.

Response by PO3 Tanis Huston made Apr 2 at 2015 10:04 PM

2015-04-02T22:04:14-04:00

I couldn't give an answer based on what was provided, but I have RC for Roman Catholic on my dog tags and my husband has LDS on his for Mormon. I believe that any individual has the right to have their religious designation on the dog tags for last right purposes is fully acceptable and is the right of every person that fights for our country and the beliefs of all men with in its borders. However I think a religious symbol is way to much! For starters my husband is Mormon and there is no religious symbol for the religion so often a cross is used and second as a person that is religious I think there are some symbols that get misinterpreted as to what they represent. Leave the letters designation cause in the end the letters are there to tell someone what you want in the event of your death, other then that we have our own voice that will speak far louder then any symbol!

Response by PO1 John Miller made Apr 3 at 2015 4:56 AM

2015-04-03T04:56:32-04:00

Since the military endorses religion (why else would we have Chaplains?) why shouldn't those of us who identify as religious be able to show our faith on our dog tags?

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2015 10:51 AM

2015-06-23T10:51:44-04:00

I love having my dog tags, because it actually makes me feel a little military. In fact, the day my RDC's threw them at us (or rather away from us so we could chase them for their enjoyment, but it was all in good fun) was probably one of the better days I spent in boot camp. However, now I simply keep one of them hanging on my rear view, while the other is just stowed away, but I know one day I'll look at them and think back to my old Navy days. Anyway, I don't feel they need changed in any way, whether paid by the individual or not. But I absolutely feel they're still a great part of the military.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Aug 10 at 2015 1:41 PM

2015-08-10T13:41:35-04:00

You know, it's odd what can provide comfort in a stressful situation.

I had a friend that would play chess with himself (no that isn't a euphemism, he would get out his note pad and a pencil).

I caught myself reaching over with my left hand and rubbing my combat patch. On more than one occasion.

So, if the feeling of a cross, or a star of David, or a Crescent, or whatever around your neck provides comfort when it feels like the fan is a manure spreader... well the "politically correct, overly sensitive" need to take a seat and shut the F up.

Response by SGT Christopher Churilla made Aug 10 at 2015 2:05 PM

2015-08-10T14:05:42-04:00

What's wrong with it being spelled out? With symbols, they may be misinterpreted. When it's spelled out, any ambiguity is removed.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2015 2:36 PM

2015-08-10T14:36:56-04:00

If a troop wants to spend their money on it I don't see the issue. Its worn under the uniform and is a personal choice. Its not like its a required uniform item. I kept my St. George medallion tucked inside the DAPS on my body armor overseas. I'm sure there is someone somewhere who would be offended by that. I think the atheists need t lighten up a bit on this. We don't ban religious tattoos and they're much more visible depending on their location.

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Aug 10 at 2015 2:45 PM

2015-08-10T14:45:57-04:00

If it is under your t-shirt and not visible, doesn't interfere with your duties, and is of a reasonable size (IE: no bigger than your dog tags) then there shouldn't be a problem.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made May 30 at 2017 7:58 AM

2017-05-30T07:58:04-04:00

It's not issued it doesn't belong.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Dec 18 at 2018 3:44 PM

2018-12-18T15:44:56-05:00

I have never had a Commander or Senior NCO tell any soldier they couldn't wear a religious item with their dogtags. Furthermore the wear of religious items is protected by Army Regulations and proper wear is detailed in AR 600-20 + Here is more detailed information from the Army Soldier Guide:

Religious Items
Soldiers may wear religious apparel, articles, or jewelry subject to some limitations based on mission or other requirements. The term “religious apparel” applies to articles of clothing worn as part of the observance of the religious faith practiced by the soldier. These religious articles include, but are not limited to, medallions, small booklets, pictures, or copies of religious symbols or writing carried by the individual in wallets or pockets. See AR 600-20, Army Command Policy, paragraph 5-6g for more information on accommodating religious practices.
Soldiers may wear religious apparel, articles, or jewelry with the uniform, to include the physical fitness uniform, if they are neat, conservative, and discreet. “Neat, conservative, and discreet” means it meets the uniform criteria of AR 670-1. In other words, when religious jewelry is worn, the uniform must meet the same standards of wear as if the religious jewelry were not worn. For example, a religious item worn on a chain may not be visible when worn with the utility, service, dress or mess uniforms. When worn with the physical fitness uniform, the item should be no more visible than identification (ID) tags would be in the same uniform. The width of chains worn with religious items should be approximately the same size as the width of the ID tag chain.
Soldiers may not wear these items when doing so would interfere with the performance of their duties or cause a safety problem. Soldiers may not be prohibited, however, from wearing religious apparel, articles or jewelry meeting the criteria of AR 670-1 simply because they are religious in nature if wear is permitted of similar items of a nonreligious nature. A specific example would be wearing a ring with a religious symbol. If the ring meets the uniform standards for jewelry and is not worn in a work area where rings are prohibited because of safety concerns, then wear is allowed and may not be prohibited simply because the ring bears a religious symbol.
During a worship service, rite, or ritual, soldiers may wear visible or apparent religious articles, symbols, jewelry, and apparel that do not meet normal uniform standards. Commanders, however, may place reasonable limits on the wear of non-subdued items of religious apparel during worship services, rites, or rituals conducted in the field for operational or safety reasons. When soldiers in uniform wear visible religious articles on such occasions, they must ensure that these articles are not permanently affixed or appended to any prescribed article of the uniform.
Chaplains may wear religious attire as described in AR 670-1, CTA 50-909, Field and Garrison Furnishings and Equipment, and AR 165-1, Chaplain Activities in the United States Army, in the performance of religious services and other official duties, as required. Commanders may not prohibit chaplains from wearing religious symbols that are part of the chaplain’s duty uniform.
Soldiers may wear religious headgear while in uniform if the headgear meets the following criteria:
It must be subdued in color (black, brown, green, dark or navy blue, or a combination of these colors).
It must be of a style and size that can be completely covered by standard military headgear and it cannot interfere with the proper wear or functioning of protective clothing or equipment.
The headgear cannot bear any writing, symbols or pictures.
Soldiers will not wear religious headgear in place of military headgear when military headgear is required (outdoors or indoors when required for duties or ceremonies).