This MIL-STD-129P standard is used for shipping containers carrying military items. It has been approved to be used by the Department of defense and all other agencies. Basically this standard is used for maintaining uniformity while marking military equipment and supplies that are transported through ships. Marking is very important for easy identification of the items that are transported. When a particular stock goes short of the balance level; the marking helps the military personnel to fill the requisition.
Based on the requirement standard of MIL-STD-129, containers can be categorized into 3 types. Like Unit containers, Intermediate containers and Exterior containers. Basic format like national stock number (NSN), part number, item description, part number are mandatory for all type of containers. Only for Exterior containers certain additional labels are required like serial number barcode, military shipment level (MSL), Direct-vendor delivery level (DVD)
On 19th September 2007, changes have been made to the old MIL-STD-129P (3) and the new standard is known as MIL-STD-129P (4). For exterior containers this new change standard set two barcodes along with the earlier ones. So now Shipment Numbers (SN) and The Contract Line Item (CLIN) are mandatory to be bar-coded along with the NSN, Contract and CAGE.
Though linear serial number will remain, but an additional 2 dimensional serial number symbol representing the bar code symbol will need to be appeared on each item. When Serial numbers are assigned it should be in ?SER NO? format. There should be spaces or dashes in NSN. The description of items should be exactly that are present in the contract. There is also an option to include Contract No which should be a four digit number.
Though certain changes that are done in the new MIL-STD-129P are in conflict with the earlier MIL-STD-129 standards, every attempt has been made to take care of any unforeseen situation that may arise.
All military and defense related items needs to be standardized according to the MIL-STD-130L standard to be UID compliant. However, certain problems were observed regarding the item marking method and that's why the Department of Defense (DoD) made certain amendment in the previous MIL-STD-130L standard and a new standard known as MIL-STD-130M was proposed on 2nd December 2005. As compared to the earlier standard, this new MIL-STD-130M has been proposed in a thoroughly detailed manner so as to offer better guidance.
Starting from label verification to direct part marking, the new MIL-STD-130M standard is involved in every aspect of item identification process. Permanent labels must be used in all tangible military items. However, those labels must be non-removable, chemical resistant, fade resistant, scratch resistant and legible for the life of the item being affixed. Various materials such as polyester, brushed aluminum foil, polyimide, high quality paper, laser etching and dot peened tags are used.
Scope of MIL-STD-130M
As per the MIL-STD-130 SPEC, there was an impending requirement for military product data content to be available for both human-readable information (HRI) i.e. free text and machine-readable information (MRI) applications of item identification marking and the new MIL-STD-130M addresses that very criterion. This item identification marking method is a must for all military property produced, stored,, stocked, and issued by or for the Department of Defense (DoD). The figures in this MIL-STD-130M standard are intended only for better illustration of the textual context and hence the presence or absence of figures has no bearing on the applicability of the stated standard.
The two types of identification marking as per the new MIL-STD-130M standard are discussed briefly as follows.
Human-readable information (HRI) marking
As per the new MIL-STD-130M standard, HRI marking should be done in a clear text conveying required information, fully visible and readable without the use of interpretative devices. This is defined in section5.2.2 of the new standard. The HRI based text should have information about the item identifying number, part number and LOT number of the tangible military products. Guidance for the machine-readable information marking protocol utilized should also be included as supplement in the HRT text form.
Machine-readable information (MRI) marking
Along with human readable marking, machine readable marking (MRI) is also mandated for all items according to the new amendment in the MIL-STD-130 SPEC. for MRI marking, pattern of squares, bars, dots, or other specific shapes containing information interpretable through the use of equipment are designed specifically. The patterns can either be visible or can also be applied for ultraviolet, infrared, or other non-human visible reading capabilities including digital protocol applications. It should have serial number, part number, manufacturer's identification number and National Stock Number (NSN).
However, certain military items such as Electron Tubes, Batteries, Rayon or Woven garment, Rocket Motors, Petroleum and related products and Integrated Circuits manufacturing are excluded from the provisions of this standard as per MIL-STD-130 SPEC. Mechanical Tubing, Carbon and Low-Alloy Steels, Aircraft Tubing and Copper Base Alloy Mill are some of the industries which are also excluded from using the new MIL-STD-130M standard.