Is it OK to Discard Military Gear in Public? SAF Equipment Found Abandoned at HDB Void Deck

SINGAPORE: A resident recently discovered a bag of Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) equipment abandoned near a recycling bin at an HDB void deck, raising questions about whether it’s legal to dispose of military gear this way. The bag, found by Oliver Ong and posted on Complaint Singapore, contained items like knee pads, a helmet, and a field pack with a tag reading “Section 2.” Ong humorously captioned the post, “This one is really ROD loh!” referencing the “Run Out Date” when servicemen complete their duties and no longer require annual training.

In response, a Ministry of Defence (Mindef) spokesperson clarified that service members are expected to follow established procedures for equipment disposal after their service. Mindef has set up multiple collection points across Singapore, including SAF eMarts, Safra Clubhouses, and certain camps, to ensure equipment is properly discarded.

According to NS Matters, those who have completed their Operationally-Ready National Service (ORNS) can either return their equipment to any SAF eMart or Army Logistics Base or handle disposal independently. However, they must take steps to prevent unauthorized use, such as cutting up uniforms and helmet straps and removing any SAF tags before disposal. Failure to comply can result in criminal charges.

Some netizens reacted by pointing out the potential disrespect in discarding military gear improperly, while others saw an opportunity, asking, “Where is that? I need a new helmet!”

For those looking to properly dispose of SAF gear, Mindef emphasizes that adherence to guidelines ensures both public respect and prevents misuse.