MIL-STD-130 is the standard to guide the UID marking system of all military and defense related items. The Department of Defense mandates that the items that are delivered to the organization should comply with the standards of MIL-STD-130 to get accepted. However, the standards have undergone certain changes from time to time and with each version of the MIL-STD-130, a new set of criteria have been introduced. Considering the loopholes of the MIL-STD-130L, the DoD has introduced the new version in the form of MIL-STD-130m. The new standard was introduced on 2nd December 2005. It has overcome the problems related to item marking method that were found in its previous version.



MIL-STD_130m and its Scope

As it is mandatory for all the items of the Department of Defense to have unique identification number, the MIL-STD-130m standards provide marking criteria to maintain marking requirements of the organization. It contains instruction about the marking procedures of military property and items that are produced, stored, stocked and issued for/by the Department of Defense. The criteria mentioned by the MIL-STD-130m are for both human readable information (HRI) and machine readable information (MRI). The changes to the standard have been introduced to enhance the functionality of the marking system.

Figures of MIL-STD-130m

The figures mentioned in the MIL-STD-130m standard are instructions given to the users to help them in understanding the practices of the texts. Although the presence of these figures have nothing much to do with the applicability of the stated practice or requirements, in some cases the figures provide a level of detail needed for the purpose.

Application Exclusions of MIL-STD-130m

The standards are applicable for the items that are subjected to have a DoD recognized UID. The items that don't qualify the criteria of UID item marking don't come under the MIL-STD-130m standards.

Application and Tailoring of MIL-STD-130m

According to the standard the items are evaluated acquiring the activity of the requirements. The standard is the measure to judge the extent to which the requirements can be tailored. It is determined in order to ensure only the minimum essential needs of the Government.

The MIL-STD-130m standard has determined two types of identification marking of the item.

Machine Readable Information Marking

According to the new amendment of MIL-STD-130m, machine readable information is an essential part of UID marking for all items. The kind of marking include bars, squares and other specific shapes and are decoded with the help of specially designed equipments. The machine readable information includes data such as part number, serial number, National stock number and manufacturer's identification number. The codes are either visible to human eyes or are applied to the items and parts as infrared, ultraviolet or digital protocol application.

Human Readable Information Marking

The MIL-STD-130m standard requires that the human readable information (HRI) should be etched to the item of labels with clear texts. The information should contain required information and should be visible and readable without the help of any interpretative device. The data of the HRI should include part number, item identifying number and LOT number of that particular military property.