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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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
