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Service numbers were used by the United States Department of Defense as the primary means of service member identification from 1918 until 1974 (and before 1947 by the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy). Service numbers are public information available under the Freedom of Information Act , unlike social security numbers which are protected by the ...
The term "serial number" is often seen as a synonym of service number; however, a serial number more accurately describes manufacture and product codes, rather than personnel identification. In the Canadian military, a "serial number" referred to a unique number assigned each unit that mobilized for the Second World War.
A military service number of the Regular Army. Service numbers were used by the United States Army from 1918 until 1969. Prior to this time, the Army relied on muster rolls as a means of indexing enlisted service members while officers were usually listed on yearly rolls maintained by the United States War Department.
In 1908, the United States government purchased its first heavier than air aircraft. The aircraft, a Wright Model A, was used by the aviation section of the United States Army Signal Corps and was issued with serial number 1. Subsequent aircraft were numbered in sequence.
In 1931, the number of possible officer numbers was increased to two thousand with this number not yet reached upon the outbreak of World War II in 1941. During World War II, the officer service number range was extended to 50,000 and, during Korea, extended again to 100,000; this number was not reached by the officer corps until 1966.
Serial numbers are located on the tail and identify a specific aircraft. For example, MH-53M Pave Low IV serial number 68-10357 was the Pave Low which carried the mission commanders during the Sơn Tây raid. For more information on serial numbering of military aircraft, see United States military aircraft serial numbers.
The B service number series was issued from 1965 to 1971. In 1969, the Navy further activated a "D series" which reset service numbers to 10,001 to 99,999 (there was never a "C series" created). In 1972, Navy service numbers were discontinued upon the Navy formally abolishing the use of military service numbers in favor of Social Security numbers.
MIL-STD-129 standard is used for maintaining uniformity while marking military equipment and supplies that are transported through ships. This standard has been approved to be used by the United States Department of Defense and all other government agencies. Items must be marked for easy identification before they are transported.