Hi,
I kept my dog tag that I got when I was drafted some 20 years ago. I still have the original cover with my battalion symbol on it.
Wearing dog tags is not unique for the IDF soldiers, but I think their shape is special. Each dog tag has cuts along its middle, which allows you to bend it and break into two.
Each soldier carries two dog tags: one on his neck and the other in his shoes (we break it into two parts and put one in each shoe). The rumor says that the one on the neck is bent and broken if the soldier is dead – one part is left on the ball chain on the soldier body’s neck, and the other is taken to the adjutant.
When we got drafted, we got our fingerprints taken, and our teeth pictured – all in case of something will happen.
After the slaughter and the abuse of all the bodies during the Black Sabbath, it takes a lot of time for the police to recognize the civilians and the policeman. This is why the police had decided to ask all the policemen to wear dog tags as well.
I am telling you this because I have just been called up to get my fingerprints taken. I guess it was because I am one of the oldest soldiers in the battalion. I told everybody it was for the weapon that had been stolen from us. When they do not believe me, I tell them it was because when I been drafted, we did not have fingerprints – we all still had webbed foot….
Take Care
Gad
A dog tag I found during one of the guarding shifts I have taken during the days.
The dog tag with the writing in Hebrew Our heart hostage in Gaza, and in English Bring them home now! (Source: bringthemhomenow.shop)
The Dog Tag of Yossarian Aram I carry around on my keys
My fingerprints scanned to the database.