New MIL-STD-129 Revision R on Military Packaging

The MIL-STD-129, “Military Marking for Shipment and Storage,” has just been updated.  The new Revision R is the first update since 2007.  This new 147 page document is used for marking goods for delivery to the U.S. military.  It incorporates the MIL-HDBK-129, “Military Marking,” which was cancelled in 2002.

There are a lot of changes in the new edition of MIL-STD-129.  The authors note that these are the most significant:

  • Appendix A has information on a set of Macro PDF417 bar codes used when a single 2D PDF417 bar code isn’t able to handle all the required information.
  • There’s a new marking exception for DoD originated shipments that are overpacked for easier handling.
  • Palletized unit loads are now specifically called out for identification and bar code marking.
  • If you can include TTN (transportation tracking number) information on your military shipping label, it’s a conditional data element now.
  • Since the 2D bar code is recommended, some figures have been modified to remove the old-style linear (Code 39) format.
  • The 2D bar code is modified for unit pack and container markings.
  • Packing list requirements have changed.  Now there’s 2 types:  content packing list and shipment packing list.
  • The explosives and ammunition section is completely rewritten.
  • The  term “customer direct” is used now instead of “direct vendor delivery (DVD)”, to harmonize with DoD distribution definitions.
  • Changes were made to reflect the DoD transition to life cycle management for serialized items.  This means the use of item unique identification (IUID) and serialized item management.

Of course, this standard is widely used, since goods purchased by military customers have to be delivered.  I can’t tell you the number of times we’ve had new customers call us in a panic when their shipments have been rejected by the military customer’s receiving department.  Believe me, if the labeling information or shipping data is not complete, correct, and in the right location on the package, it will not be accepted.

As soon as these folks see the MIL-STD-129, it becomes clear that labeling for the military must be done the military way.  Correct the labeling, your shipment gets accepted and (most importantly) you are in line to get paid!  Don’t pay attention, and your shipment will be returned leaving you to ponder what exactly the problem is.

Here at Document Center, we’ve been providing military customers and contractors with standards and technical data to support government contract work since the 1980’s.  Not only do we supply the publications you need, we track them for you so that as new requirements come into force, you’re aware that they are taking place.

Don’t be caught using obsolete standards!  Trust Document Center to keep your conformance documents complete and correct.  Order the ones you need at our webstore, www.document-center.com.  Or contact our staff by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  Then when the item is revised in the future, you’ll be secure in the knowledge that you’ll get email notification promptly.

Remember, thousands of customers depend on Document Center.  Make us your Standards Experts!

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Claudia Bach

Claudia Bach is the President of Document Center Inc. and a world-wide recognized expert on Standards and Standards Distribution. You can connect with her on Google+

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