Crossword Genius

Follow old reserves with German military ID (3,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dog tag

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'military id' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'follow old reserves with german' is the wordplay.
'follow' becomes 'dog' (dog can mean to follow or torment).
'old reserves' becomes 'ta' (Territorial Army, army reserves. I am not sure about the 'old' bit.).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'german' becomes 'g' (abbreviation).
'dog'+'ta'+'g'='DOG TAG'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dog tag that I've seen before include "source of information on GI" , "Pet identifier" , "US soldier's metal identity disk" , "Canine ID" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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