Would you wear second-hand underpants? If you’re in the Norwegian military, soon you may not have a choice.
Owing partly to COVID-induced supply chain headaches, the Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation is now ordering all conscripts to return their underwear, bras, and socks as they leave the service, so the garments can be washed and issued to new recruits.
“This move is necessary as it provides the Armed Forces with greater garment volumes available for new soldiers starting their initial service,” the NDLO said.
All Norwegians must perform between 12 and 19 months of military service, with around 8,000 called up each year; while previously they were allowed to keep their government-issued delicates and return them if they so chose, the armed forces have now made the undies’ return mandatory due to shortages brought on by COVID-19 as well as other issues such as finance and contracts.
“With proper checks and cleaning, the reuse of garments is considered an adequate and sound practice,” said NDLO press spokesman Hans Meisingset.
We’ll take his word for it.
