If you are a veteran, enjoy war history, or have a relative in the military, you probably know the importance of military dog tags. While they still serve an official purpose and function, military dog tags may be one of the best gifts you can give someone who loves the military. Here we talk about the five best gift ideas for military lovers.

Dog Tags

The U.S. Department of Defense explains that the use of military dog tags started at the end of 1899 during the Spanish-American War. They were a suggestion made by Charles C. Pierce, an Army Chaplain in charge of the Army Morgue, to identify who was severely injured or killed in action. Although there are multiple theories, these circular disks were named dog tags because they resembled the tags on dog collars.

Anyone who loves the military would be thrilled to receive a customized pair of dog tags for their collection, especially authentic ones! What makes these such a special gift for any military lover is they can be easily worn and put on display versus being part of a private collection that isn’t viewed as often.

Military dog tags are available from any branch and can be customized with any information, (name, address, medical warnings, emergency contact), making them a winning and versatile gift. You also don’t have to worry about quality, military dog tags live up to the standard of military grade.

Uniforms

Military lovers usually enjoy maintaining whatever uniform they or their loved one served in. Even non-veterans collect, wear, and display uniforms. Sometimes it can be very difficult to find pieces to complete a set. That is why anyone who loves the military would truly appreciate uniform items that they may be missing.

Hats and belts are popular combat and dress uniform accessories that would also make a great gift. Any part of the uniform from a particular branch can be found if you know where to look. USAMM is an example of an armed forces superstore, and you can find most, if not all of these items available for purchase.

Gear

Now we are getting to the fun stuff – tactical gear. No military lover’s collection can be complete without the corresponding gear. The real advantage to giving these types of items for gifts is that they are actually useful in daily life.

Emergency and survival gear are an excellent and practical gift for any military (or survivalist) enthusiast. A compass can be a meaningful gift for milestone birthdays or major life achievements – not to mention it is a great thing to have on hand! First aid kits, and MREs (meals ready to eat), should be part of everyone’s secret survival stash, but military lovers will be giddy over these items as gifts.

Every household should have flashlights, firestarter kits, and solar chargers kept in stock – and military lovers will love adding these items to their existing stash. After all, the military is prepared for anything, and we can all benefit from that philosophy.

Awards & Decorations

In addition to dog tags and uniform, awards and decorations tell the story of the veteran and their service. That is what makes them ideal gifts for those who served, especially when needed to complete any missing items that may have been lost in combat. These also make excellent gifts for any military lover.

Military medals and ribbons are an essential piece of an official uniform. These items are significant as they show rank and achievement in each designated military branch. These make great gifts for any veteran trying to finish a uniform ensemble, or any die-hard collector who enjoys displaying them.

Lapel pins are also very common and make a distinguished gift choice. While they can complete a uniform, they can also be worn with more modern clothing as a way to honor one’s service, relative or branch of the military.

A military medal can also be a great choice, especially if gifting to a veteran as you can find a specific assignment or campaign.

Badges

As with all military accessories, badges tell a detailed story. There are several badge types that would make special gifts for military lovers.

Skill and occupation badges show exactly that – what that soldier’s job was in the military, from every branch. This also included positions of management. Branch insignia badges represent a service member’s specific field of service.

Combat Service Identification Badges, or CSIBs, are worn only by a service member who has fought in a declared combat zone. For any military lover looking to complete a uniform or collection, this may be one of the most valuable gifts.

These top five gift ideas will resonate with collectors who truly understand and appreciate the authentic dog tags and other military memorabilia.