A Definition of MIL-STD-130
Military Standard 130 (MIL-STD-130) contains a detailed set of requirements and specifications for identification marking of U.S. military property. The standard practice involved in MIL-STD-130 has undergone some revisions, including MIL-STD-130N, which was released in December 2007 and MIL-STD-130N w/ Change 1, which was released in November 2012. MIL-STD-130 is just one of several standards developed by the United States Government to guide individuals and organizations both within and outside of the Department of Defense (DoD) through uniform engineering and technical requirements for military-unique or modified commercial processes, procedures, practices, and methods.
As per the MIL-STD-130N w/ Change 1 Foreword, the DoD “continues to provide evolving clarification, increased insight, guidance, and marking criteria regarding implementation of machine-readable information (MRI) for identification marking of U.S. military property and automatic data capture. MRI provides a valuable tool for life-cycle asset management from acquisition through manufacture to distribution and final disposition. However, the use of MRI may not be suitable or adequate for every identification marking need. The application of free text item identification marking in combination with or in lieu of MRI is still necessary for many end users of the identified item.”
The foreword also states, “As with product designers, simply stating that items produced under a contract shall be marked per MIL-STD-130 is not sufficient. They must clearly state what identification marking is required, to include the specific item unique identification (IUID) provisions as applicable, and that development of specific item marking requirements be based on the criteria provided in this standard.”
MIL-STD-130 and UID: The Basics
So, what does MIL-STD-130 mean for you? It’s important to know that there are complex item marking requirements involved in complying with MIL-STD-130, and that it can be daunting for military prime contractors and their subcontractors to understand all of them. A particular type of marking within MIL-STD-130 is Item Unique Identification (IUID), commonly referred to as UID (unique identifier) which when specified requires all military contractors to place specific markings on their equipment. The government calls for unique and specific numbers to be assigned to government-owned and government-purchased tangible equipment, in accordance with established rules and guidelines as set forth by MIL-STD-130. The UID compliant marking must be applied to the asset or directly marked on the asset for its lifecycle. The number associated with the UID marking is the unique item identifier, or UII, which is designed to be globally unique.
UID tags will satisfy a wide range of applications, from tactical applications with zero-reflection requirements, to applications requiring extreme sand and gravel resistance. Camcode provides mark engineering services, durable label design and manufacturing services to ensure compliance with MIL-STD-130 regulations, and offers UID registration. Camcode is one of the few companies that also offers on-site marking installation services for hassle-free UID compliance.
MIL-STD-130 Best Practices
Because the UID Labels must withstand extreme environments and last for the useful life of the asset, it is important to choose a company with durable label solutions for UID compliance. It also is impor
tant to choose a full-service UID provider who understands the defense industry and the ins and outs of MIL-STD-130 so that your method for marking assets, managing data, installing labels and marks, and registering items meets compliance at every step of the way. You then can be assured that you are reaping all of the benefits associated with automatic identification and data capture in relation to your UID labels. These benefits can include property accountability, preventive maintenance management, operational cost reduction, warranty information management, logistics support, and accurate reporting. That way, UID and MIL-STD-130 compliance can add value to your business by helping you improve asset tracking of your items. Examples of such business value include export control management (e.g., International Tracking in Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements) and managing your asset check-in/check-out) efficiently.
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