In addition to the general identity information, such as last name, given name(s), date and place of birth, education, and the presence of a civilian specialty sports category, military ID can contain a number of specific information items, such as:[citation needed] Depending upon the level of access afforded to individual personnel, military ID cards are usually required to be presented to guards in order to receive entry access to military locations, including bases, as well as military-related services and operations.

Lastly, salaried personnel carry a staff ID (Finnish: puolustusvoimien henkilökortti, Swedish: försvarsmaktens identitetskort), which is also issued to the cadets of the National Defence University.

Both types of military ID are about the size of a credit card; the ordinary military ID is a smart card that serves as an identifying document, as an access card for the IDF's computer networks and systems, and as a public transport pass used instead of the civilian Rav-Kav (IDF soldiers in uniform are entitled to free public transport).

In modern Russian military, the ID cards of two different types are issued: ID for a soldier/sailor/sergeant/warrant officer (ru:Военный билет Вооружённых сил России), and ID for a military officer (Russian: Удостоверение личности военнослужащего, ru:Удостоверение личности военнослужащего).

[citation needed] Military identity card of the Russian Armed Forces (Russian: Военный билет Вооружённых сил России) is a document issued to soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and other "power" agencies, where military service is provided, as well as to those who are exempt from military service or upon admission to the reserve.