Can my Chain of Command make me buy Identification Tags? | AskTOP.net – Leader Development for Army Professionals

Can my Chain of Command make me buy Identification Tags?

Top, I really need some guidance and mentorship. Here is the deal. We are deployed and we all have one set of our ID TAGS. No our command is making us go buy another set of ID TAGs. We have to order them from an online service. I think the unit should supply these. Is it legal to make us buy them?

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Is it Legal?

Bottom Line the unit cannot force a Soldier to buy a 2nd set of ID Tags if they were not issued or if the unit did not require the items to be brought.  Usually the ID Tags are supplied during RFI, Pre-Deployment Health Assessments and SRC.

Let’s Look at the Issue from both sides

Chain of Command’s Side:

Apparently there is a need to ensure  each Soldier has 2 sets of ID Tags.  Now these are typically ordered by the unit. The unit turns in the proper paperwork to the nearest military personnel center and they are produced locally.  Since you are deployed this could be an issue because the capability to produce the ID Tags may be located a long distance from your position.

Why would the Chain of Command order you to use a 3rd party online system? I am not sure but it could be:

1. that they have exhausted all other efforts to obtain the ID Tags

2. someone forgot to tell everyone to bring 2 sets of ID Tags and now they have to find a way to get it done without drawing attention to the issue.

3. someone may not understand the procedures or alternatives available for resolving the issue.

4. It is possible that the Commander does not know this is going on.  Sometimes statements like: Make sure your Soldiers have 2 sets of ID Tags or Does everyone have 2 sets of ID Tags?… gets lost in translation and becomes “You will make sure all your Soldiers have two sets of ID Tags Immediately!

Regardless I do not believe online ordering is the correct method but there may be a reasonable explanation.

The Chain of Command has a duty and responsibility to take care of their Soldiers.  That means making sure you have all your equipment, are properly trained, and they can take care of you should the need arise to process you out of the battlespace.  This includes making sure you have 2 sets of ID Tags.

Soldier’s Side

Soldiers sometimes don’t see the reason why something is required and most of the time Leaders don’t like to explain themselves.  If there is a requirement to have 2 sets of ID Tags then the Soldier needs to do their part in obtaining the ID Tags.  There might be better ways to approach the solution than an online purchase from a 3rd party vendor that cannot or does not safeguard a Soldier’s Personally Identifiable Information (PII). If the Soldier feels the approach is unfair, illegal, unethical, unsafe then the Soldier has an obligation to approach leadership with their concerns.

Approaching Leadership

When you approach leadership do so from a non threatening perspective.  Be polite, professional, calm, and factual.  Offer solutions.  Don’t just bring a problem with an attitude attached to the issue.  This usually does not end well for the Soldier.

If you are professional, calm, factual, and bring a solution most leaders will listen.  If the leader is unreasonable be professional and then you must decide if you need to take it up the chain or disengage and let the sleeping dog lie.

Possible Solutions:

In order of precedence I believe some solutions might include:

1. The unit should find out if the capability to produce ID Tags exist in the deployed location and then turn the paperwork in to have them produced locally?

2. Have the Rear Detachment prepare the paperwork and get the ID Tags produced at home station.  Then the Rear Detachment can mail the ID Tags to the Unit S-1.

3. The Unit can buy the ID Tags using Unit Funds and have the Rear Detachment send them forward to the Unit S-1.

3. Obtain through a 3rd Party Source online:  Not sure I agree with this action as it requires a Soldier to give up Personally Identifiable Information (PII).  The military has a regulation that specifically outlines how this information is to be protected.  Therefore I am not sure it is wise to order Soldiers to share this information with a firm on the internet that could potentially use their PII in Identity Fraud, credit card scams, etc.  This would definitely be my last choice and definitely not an order but more of a polite request.

Bottom-line:

Is this worth the pain? Only you can decide if you need to bring this up to leadership.  Only you can decide on how to approach the issue and what potential solutions might work better.  Some times it is better to lose the battle and win the war.

Only you can decide if this is something worth the fight.  My only concern is that by using a 3rd party online source Soldier’s PII might be at risk and potentially cause harm to the Soldier.

ID TAGS provide vital information should you be wounded or injured and unable to provide critical information to medical personnel.  I would highly recommend you have 2 sets of ID Tags.  The key is how to Properly Obtain Them!

Please see the extract of AR 600-8-14 below with regard to ID TAGs.

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Hope this helps

Did you find this information useful? I would appreciate your feedback

TOP

Extract of AR 600-8-14

19.17. Army Identification Tags.

ID tags are issued to the military personnel of the Army and to civilians overseas reflected in Table 19.8.  Issue to:

Table 19.8. Categories of Personnel Eligible for Issue of Army Identification Tags.

1 Military personnel of the Army.

2 US Citizens.

3 Dependents of US Army personnel.

4 Other U.S. nationals under the jurisdiction of overseas commanders.

5 Dependents  who  are  not  citizens  may  be  furnished  ID  tags  upon  request.   The  phrase  ―Depn of US Natl‖ will be shown on the tags.

19.17.1. When Issued

Tags  will  be  issued  as  soon  as  possible  after  entry  on  AD,  initial  active  duty  for training (IADT), or assignment to a Reserve Component unit.

19.17.2. Medical Warning Tags

The   issuance   of   Medical   Warning   Tags,   which   serve   as   a   means   of   rapid recognition of  selected  health  programs,  is  covered  under  AR  40-66, Medical  Record  Administration and Health Care Documentation, 21 June 2006.

19.18. Requirements.

Military personnel will wear their tags at all times when:

19.18.1. In a field environment.

19.18.2. Traveling in an aircraft.

19.18.3. OCONUS.

19.18.3.1. Advanced Senior ROTC (ASROTC) cadets are authorized issuance of ID tags  when engaged in field training exercises or traveling in military aircraft.

19.18.4.ID tags are Government Issue and are not personal effects. 

When death occurs, ID  tags will be disposed of as specified in Field Manual 10-63, Handling of Deceased Personnel in  MWRs  of  Operations,  for  temporary  burials  overseas.    The  tags  will  be  placed on  the remains  when  prepared  for  final  burial  AR  638-2, Care  and  Disposition  of  Remains  and Disposition of Personal Effects , 22 December 2000

19.19. Processing Applications for ID Tags

19.19.1. The application request will be made in writing to the issuing office, individually or in bulk request by commanders or their designated representative.

19.19.2. No file copy of the request need be retained by the issuing office

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Mark is a Retired Command Sergeant Major with 26 years of military leadership experience. He held 3 military occupational specialties (Field Artillery, Nuclear Weapons Tech, and Ammunition Ordnance). Mark is one of the leading military authors in the fields of leadership, counseling, and training.

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