How to properly discard old uniforms, training gear

Due to the upcoming uniform changes and increase in mission oriented protective posture gear training, all Airmen need to be sure they are properly discarding their Airman Battle Uniforms, MOPP gear and all other military uniforms.

Whether the uniform is for training or operational purposes, military gear of any sort needs to be discarded in the proper fashion.

There are a few different ways Airmen can dispose of their gear.

Do:

• Airmen can donate their old military uniforms to their local Airman’s Attic or Little Rock Spouses’ Club Thrift Shop. The Little Rock Air Force Base Airman’s Attic and LRSC Thrift Shop is located in building 864.

• Local Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps units use old uniforms for their cadets. Airmen are able to donate their old Airman Battle Uniforms to these units.

Do Not:

• Throwing any uniform into a dumpster is violation of operation security. Uniforms can be used by the adversary to imitate an Airman which could give them access to areas on an installation. Therefore, if an Airman needs to discard their uniform, they can use one of the methods above.

• Airmen cannot sell their issued items to other individuals. According to AFI 36-3014 section 2.2, depending on the kind of discharge, Airmen can either keep uniformed items, return uniformed items to the Air Force for reissue or return uniformed items to the Air Force so the Air Force can prepare them for disposal.

• Airmen are issued training MOPP gear upon arrival to LRAFB. Before Airmen leave they are required to turn in their issued MOPP gear. Therefore, individuals should not attempt to discard this training gear in any way. If MOPP gear somehow gets used in a real world situation, there are steps taken by qualified shops to discard of the gear appropriately.

Airmen who wish to discard old uniform items because they’re leaving the service, the uniform items don’t fit, or for any other reason should take the correct steps in doing so to protect OPSEC.

For more information on donating items to the LRAFB Airman’s Attic, call (501) 987-4105. For more information on donating items to the LRSC Thrift Shop, call (501) 988-1191.