Editing Dog tag

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Wikipedia}}
[[File:Reach-Dog tag.png|thumb|250px|[[Jorge-052|Jorge-052's]] dog tags, as seen in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.]]
'''Dog tags''' are simple identification devices that have been used by military forces for centuries.{{Ref/Novel|TF|Page=225|Quote=He paused to recover their dog tags, scavenged some ammo, and kept on going.}} the [[United Nations Space Command]] armed forces as well as other military organizations, such as the [[Sedran Colonial Guard]],{{Ref/Film|HN}} continue to use this form of identification in the 26th century.

Historically, dog tags were simple metal plates attached to necklaces. However, it is likely that with new technology developed since our time, the current design of dog tags was changed. The purpose of the dog tag is to provide information when it is most critical. This includes the soldier's name, rank, [[service number]], and [[blood]] type should they be injured and need medical treatment. Along with being smart IDs, dog tags were linked to biomonitor chips injected under the skin, which relayed the same information imprinted on the physical tags in addition to a soldier's vital signs.{{Ref/Novel|Id=EOD18|EOD|Chapter=18}}

Usually, dog tags are removed from a fallen soldier to identify and later report their death, without the need to carry the body, as this would be virtually impossible in a combat situation. For example, in his trek through [[Installation 04]]'s [[Library]], [[John-117]] found a dead [[UNSC Marine]] named [[Marvin Mobuto]], and took his dog tags.{{Ref/Novel|TF|Page=272}} Dog tags are supplemented by [[neural interface]]s, which are capable of displaying basic information for identification and additional information on a soldier's [[Wikipedia:Vital signs|vital signs]]. This information is accessed via a [[heads-up display]]. Dog tags are useful in that they do not require a heads up display to access basic identification information. [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s, more commonly referred to as ODSTs, have their name, rank, service number and blood type on a sticker on their shoulder, instead of dog tags, although this might simply be redundancy for easier identification.{{Ref/Generic|[[:File:DutchODST.png|This image]]}}

[[Gek 'Lhar]], a [[Sangheili]] [[Commander (Covenant)|commander]] in [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|reformed Covenant]], collected the dog tags of some of the soldiers he had killed; some of which were [[Spartan]]s. These [[keepsake|dog tag trophies]] were later recovered by [[Fireteam Majestic]], after [[Paul DeMarco]] succeeded in killing the Sangheili.{{Ref/SpOps|Expendable}}

On [[2560#June|June 6, 2560]], during the [[Battle for Zeta Halo]], the Master Chief encountered two soldiers who weren't wearing their dog tags near [[Lifeworker Central]], causing him to suspect that they might be [[Banished]]-affiliated. However, the two turned out to be [[ODST]]s who explained that the UNSC forces at [[Lifeworker Central]] had stopped using their dog tags, deactivating them and leaving the physical tags with their commander. This was because the Banished had started stealing the dog tags of dead soldiers, using them to pose as friendlies, and then ambushing UNSC forces.{{Ref/Reuse|EOD18}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:H4 Marketing Dog tags.png|{{UNSCShip|Infinity}} dog tags.
File:FUD - Chyler dog tags.png|[[Thomas Lasky]] holding [[Chyler Silva]]'s dog tags, with an attached [[Mgalekgolo]] armor fragment.
File:Nightfall - LockeAikenMacerWisner.jpg|Dog tags worn by [[ONI]] officers and [[Sedran Colonial Guard]] members.
File:DeMarco - 3.jpg|[[Paul DeMarco]] recollecting the dog tags stolen by [[Gek 'Lhar]].
File:HR-Jorge-DogTags.jpg|Closeup of Jorge-052's dog tags.
</gallery>

==List of appearance==
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Nightfall]]''
*''[[Halo: Smoke and Shadow]]''
*''[[Halo: Edge of Dawn]]''

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

[[Category:UNSC identification]]