Republic of Viet-Nam Armed Forces Military ID Cards and Certificates Background Civilian identification cards ("The Can Cuoc") were issued by the local police and everyone had to carry one. When a person was drafted or enlisted in the military, his civilian ID card was confiscated to discourage desertion. During basic training he was issued a temporary military ID card that was valid for only a short time. After basic training and/or technical or trade training was completed, an actual military ID card was issued. ID cards had to be carried at all times. The police and military police (MP) performed frequent random ID checks at checkpoints and in people's homes at night to catch draft dodgers, military deserters and Communist sympathizers. When an MP checked a soldier, the soldier had to produce two types of cards; a military ID card showing proof of military registration, and an "active service certificate" showing the unit to which he belonged. If one of the cards was missing, the MP could take the soldier into custody. If the soldier had a military ID but no active service certificate, he could be a deserter without a unit. A soldier with an active service certificate but no military ID could be considered an unregistered "ghost soldier". Some units took bribes to create fake IDs to help people avoid being drafted. KBC Numbers Republic of Viet-Nam Armed Forces military identification cards and certificates are of interest to the military postal historian as they help identify units and locations associated with specific KBC ("Khu Buu Chinh") numbers, or military postal distribution codes (representing postal zones). KBC numbers were used to route mail to troops while obscuring units and locations from the enemy, similar to those used by American APOs (Army Post Offices). Each ARVN unit was assigned a four-digit KBC number. Some KBCs remained in one location while others moved with the troops. To date, no official records have surfaced listing all KBC numbers, dates of operation, locations and units served, as this information was apparently destroyed after the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. Many South Vietnamese military documents, mail, uniforms, certificates, and awards were likewise destroyed by soldiers and their families trying to avoid being placed in a re-education or concentration camp. Commissioned officers and members elite units such as the Rangers, Marines or Airborne units were especially at risk for persecution. Many of those who fled the country had their documents confiscated upon arrival in another country. Fortunately, enough documents survive to enable study of the Republic of Viet-Nam military postal system. A list of KBC numbers is being assembled from military documents such as the ID cards shown below. To contribute information, please contact Andrew Crenshaw at . Many thanks to Mr. Minh K. Luong and Mr. Toan Nguyen for providing invaluable background information and for helping with the translations. Any errors are likely my own. Active Service ID Cards - "Chung Chi Tai Ngu" (unlaminated card) A soldier's actual KBC unit issued his "active service certificate" (cards 6-19 below) that was carried in a plastic sleeve. This type of card verified a soldier belonged to an actual unit, not just being in the military on paper. The cards did not have photos and were renewed every six months. A soldier was required to carry both his active service and military ID cards for proper identification. Card 06 - KBC 4245, Headquarters Card 07 - KBC 4828, Company 4, 558th Battalion, Regional Forces Card 08 - KBC 4905, 4th Battalion / 11th Regiment Card 09 - KBC 3050, 7th Infantry Division Engineers Battalion Card 10 - KBC 3504, 6th Armored Cavalry Group Card 11 - KBC 3009, Air Force Card 12 - KBC 3328, Naval Ship 602 "Minh Hoa" Card 13 - KBC 6803, Regional Forces 432nd Battalion Card 14 - KBC 4297, Air Force Headquarters Technical-Supply/Logistic Support Unit Card 15 - KBC 4122, 7th Artillery Battalion Card 16 - KBC 6684, Nam Can Naval Base Card 17 - KBC 3198, 1st Air Division Card 18 - KBC 4298, Logistics Unit in 1st Corp, Military Morgue Section Card 19 - KBC 6660, River Group 42 Military ID Cards - "The can cuoc Quan Nhan" (laminated card) Military ID cards (cards 20-25 below) were issued by the regional HQ / Human Resources office for the relevant KBC when a soldier enlisted or was drafted. This may have been different from the KBC in which the soldier actually served. Cards included a photo of the enlistee and were updated upon change of rank. Card 20 - KBC 3317, Navy Card 21 - KBC 3317, Navy Card 22 - KBC 3317, Navy Card 23 - KBC 4182, Infantry Division Card 24 - KBC 3177, Strategic Army Corps Military Zone 3 Card 25 - KBC 3402, Strategic Army Corps Military Zone 4 Special-Purpose ID Cards The following cards are larger than the standard wallet-sized cards shown above. Card 03 - KBC 4685, Proof of military service Card 04 - KBC 4774, Automobile pass The VNAF Postal History article on this site has examples of several Republic of Viet Nam Air Force (VNAF) military ID cards Military Certificates Some military certificates indicate a soldier's KBC number. Certificate 01 - KBC 7619, Military Exemption Certificate 02 - KBC 4204, Demobilization Certificate and Report Certificate 03 - KBC 4493, Medical Corps Certificate of Professional Skills Certificate 04 - KBC 4088, Regional Forces Salary Book Early Vietnamese Military ID Cards Card E01 - Military School ID Dalat Card E02 - Hoa Hao Regional Forces ID < Imnaha Stamps Home Original content ©2006 Andrew Crenshaw - All Rights Reserved.