Used underwear issued to military conscripts in Norway amid Covid supply chain crisis

Covid supply chain issues have affected holiday gift shipments, fuel deliveries, and availability of masks, vaccines and electronic components, to name a few. As reported by major news media, Norway’s military is now facing a supply shortage that is personal. Recruits are being asked to wear previously used undergarments returned by conscripts after they have completed military service.

The plan was originally meant to be voluntary, but a Norwegian state broadcaster reports that officials have now made it mandatory to hand over all clothing and equipment for laundering and reuse upon graduation. Until recently, the conscripts were allowed to keep undergarments such as underwear, socks and T-shirts, in addition to headgear and field boots. Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Vegard Norstad Finberg told the defense publication that the "returned" garments are laundered and checked for quality, with defective and worn items thrown away, while minor damage is repaired.

In the United States, outside of basic training, service members are free to choose what they wear under their uniforms. Undergarments are considered personal items to be purchased at the individual’s expense following recruit training. So now you know the rest of the story (a nod to Paul Harvey).

Note from your blogger: some fellas would pay good money for previously owned "military" underwear. Just sayin'.