For most international fans and even some ̾k̾o̾r̾e̾an fans, the knowledge or understanding of the m̷i̷l̷i̷t̷a̷r̷y̷ service system in this country is unfamiliar to them. Only since BTS enlisted in the army have the issues surrounding the m̷i̷l̷i̷t̷a̷r̷y̷ service system in ̾k̾o̾r̾e̾a received fans' attention and understanding.
Therefore, it is not difficult to understand when some information about rules or culture in the m̷i̷l̷i̷t̷a̷r̷y̷ is spread incorrectly, especially news directly related to BTS members. Recently, a controversy broke out after a viral post about Jimin and Jungkook exchanging dog tags - a m̷i̷l̷i̷t̷a̷r̷y̷ symbol - with each other.
Upon learning the meaning of dog tags and receiving news about it, some felt emotional while others doubted its authenticity. Finally, we clarify the answer below:
There's no denying that BTS seems to be the most influential m̷i̷l̷i̷t̷a̷r̷y̷ celebrity as their m̷i̷l̷i̷t̷a̷r̷y̷ service story has been floating around for so many years now. Even when members enlist, their life stories inside the barracks are spread and discussed a lot.
Since then, the public and fans around the world have poured their curiosity into the laws and cultures of the ̾k̾o̾r̾e̾an m̷i̷l̷i̷t̷a̷r̷y̷. Recently, fans discovered an item that had an important meaning for sol∂ιєrs, appearing on the necks of Jimin and Jungkook on their first day of enlistment. Those are dog tags - an item that symbolizes all young ̾k̾o̾r̾e̾ans who enlist or serve in the m̷i̷l̷i̷t̷a̷r̷y̷.
According to what we searched, every trainees are given 2 dog tags to hang on their neck on the first day they enlist. The tags contain the information listed: Branch (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines), Service Number: the first two digits state the starting year of service and the other eight digits state the specific unit of the person, Name and Blood group followed by Rh factor.
The story of dog tags didn't end there when there was a post from a fan claiming to be an ARMY mother whose son had served in the army. This person said that for sol∂ιєrs who enlist under "accompanied enlistment" like Jungkook and Jimin, they will exchange 1 of their 2 dog tags with each other. This means that the dog tags hanging around Jimin and Jungkook's necks will have one for themselves and the other for the person accompanying them.
This news quickly spread among fans because dog tags are considered the most important thing to sol∂ιєrs, they only give their dog tags to those they trust and value the most. Many ARMYs felt touched because the two enlisted together and chose to trust each other during their enlistment, showing the close bond between the two BTS members.
However, there are also many fans who have great doubts about this spreading news. Regarding the important meaning of dog tags, a young ̾k̾o̾r̾e̾an man told about it that: "It’s a form of identification, and it’s made out of stainless steel. So, it’s a permanent material; it will not rust. And each sol∂ιєr has to carry two dog tags. And when a sol∂ιєr is кιℓℓed in battle, one dog tag has to remain on the d̾e̾a̾d ̾ body, and one is taken away by a surviving sol∂ιєr in order to report the dєαth of that sol∂ιєr, in order to secure the identity of that sol∂ιєr."
Obviously, these cards are almost identification cards and always include 2 identical tags for emergencies. So it's hard to think of them exchanging dog tags with each other. Even, if you're wearing someone else's Identification tag, it's suicidal. Because you can't recognize the other person's body when it's blown up, so it's used to identify people with this little iron plate. It's not an accessory!
Because currently, ̾k̾o̾r̾e̾a is in a time of peace and is unlikely to fall into a w@r situation, so the control of m̷i̷l̷i̷t̷a̷r̷y̷ dog tags may not be as strict as before, but the 5th Division still maintains the checking process of dog tags. In some cases, family members of m̷i̷l̷i̷t̷a̷r̷y̷ personnel may "temporarily wear" dog tags when they return home on vacation because the person worn them is considered the most important person to the sol∂ιєr.
But the final conclusion is that there is no chance of exchanging dog tags between two new recruits like Jimin and Jungkook, nor is there any regulation or culture about this between fellow enlistees. If you don't have one in body, you can get penalty points. You have to keep only your own. If you have someone else's identification card, you could ∂ιє in an emergency transfusion of someone's вℓσσ∂ type.
A note for fans, please wait for authentic news before believing in any information spread about BTS in the m̷i̷l̷i̷t̷a̷r̷y̷ at this time. This may just be harmless news, but it has also deceived fans' trust and blindly led them by the nose!
