MIL-HDBK-129, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HANDBOOK MILITARY MARKING (15 MAY 1997., This handbook provides detailed guidance formilitary marking and procedures for their application, per MILSTD-129. This handbook is for guidance only. This handbook cannot be cited as a requirement. If it is, the contractor doesnot have to comply. This handbook is applicable to all personnel involved in the marking of military supplies and equipment. As defined in ASTM D 996, marking is ""the application of numbers, letters, labels, tags, symbols, or colors to provide identification and to expedite handling during shipment and storage.