I don't think that these inanimate objects "went" anything. It sounds to me like they were stolen.
I serviced NVGs as a Reserve miltech. As long as the units kept them locked up in the arms room and did monthly sensitive item inventory just as with the weapons, then no problemo.
Units that train in the field a lot are going to have all kinds of sensitive stuff signed out at all times. Got it. But as long as that NVG or radio or weapon is on a hand receipt with serial # and somebody’s signed for it, accountability should be easy to establish, just sayin’.
PS by your username you must be a `real helicopter pilot’. I was too, a gazillion years ago. Vietnam ‘71-72.