On the military dogtag chain, is it still 365 beads on the long and 52 on the short?

CPL Paul Burke — Thu, 29 May 2014 18:30:08 -0400

I know its beaded to prevent the enemy from strangling you. What is the history behind that, Who came up with that design and how long ago did that start? also how long ago was the dogtag invented?

Response by CPL Paul Burke made May 29 at 2014 6:32 PM

CPL Paul Burke — Thu, 29 May 2014 18:32:56 -0400

just curious i thought it was ingenious to come up with that, and interesting that in the service EVERYTHING has a purpose.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2014 6:40 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 May 2014 18:40:39 -0400

Very long history: dog tags date back to at least Chinese 1851 Taiping revolt

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_tags

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dog-tags/ [login to see] 7838?sk=info

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 29 at 2014 7:05 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Thu, 29 May 2014 19:05:51 -0400

Unfortunately the 'bead count' is simply urban legend. The small chain has approximately 40 and the large approximately 200, give or take. The story has been around for years in various forms, but has never been factual.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2014 9:43 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 May 2014 21:43:53 -0400

I'm pretty sure it's so you can count days and weeks if you find yourself captured...pretty smart I think.