The legal fight began in 2019 when an outside advocacy group filed a complaint arguing that replica dog tags combining military trademarks with biblical citations violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Shields of Strength, founded by water-skiing competitor Kenny Vaughan after scripture helped him overcome personal anxiety, had produced millions of replica dog tags since 1998. More than four million units had been distributed to service members, law enforcement officers, and military families. The tags paired branch insignias, such as the Army star or the Marine Corps eagle, globe, and anchor, with verses like Joshua 1:9 ("Be strong and courageous") and Philippians 4:13 ("I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me").
In response to the 2019 complaint, trademark licensing offices across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps revoked or withheld permissions. Shields of Strength could continue manufacturing inspirational jewelry, but military branch seals were barred from appearing on any item displaying scripture. Legal counsel from First Liberty Institute filed suit on behalf of the company, arguing the blanket denial constituted viewpoint discrimination under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
The dispute concluded in December 2025 with a formal settlement. Federal officials agreed to permit trademark licensing for private companies producing commemorative and devotional items, provided appropriate commercial disclaimers clarify that the Department of Defense does not formally endorse any specific faith tradition. The outcome lifted an administrative blockade that had lasted half a decade, releasing an immediate surge in commercial orders and public awareness.
