How should stock that has degraded or is declared unserviceable be handled?

• A. Move to a quarantine area and repackage for storage.
• B. Isolate and label as unserviceable, remove from stock, and dispose or return per policy, with updated records.
• C. Continue storing with intact stock but mark as degraded.
• D. Notify purchasing to replace and leave in place.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is to prevent any chance of using degraded stock and to clear it from inventory through proper disposition. When ammunition or components are found degraded or unserviceable, they must be isolated and clearly labeled as such so no one can mistake them for usable stock. Then they are removed from active inventory and disposed of or returned following the organization’s policy, with the records updated to reflect the change. This approach minimizes risk from corrosion, moisture, or other damage and ensures there’s an audit trail for safety and accountability.

Quarantining or re-packaging for storage doesn’t address the safety risk and can create confusion or accidental handling of unsafe items. Simply keeping degraded stock alongside serviceable stock, or just telling purchasing to replace it without removing or documenting the status, fails to prevent inadvertent use and doesn’t provide proper disposition.