Ballistic Eyewear Protection for Military Personnel

There was an item that the LA Times' Iraq medical care articles that was kind of skipped over, but I'm going to emphasize it here. They're the most important lines in the story:

"It wasn't until she got the official call from a lieutenant at Ft. Bragg that she learned the true nature of his injuries. He had not lost an eye. His ballistic goggles had saved his vision" (emphasis mine).

I've heard variations on that last line rather a few times, and seen a bunch of recommendations from people who know the field and have been there. If you're going, or know someone who is, get ballistic glasses and wear them at all times. First recommendation I made to Roggio when he told me he was going to Iraq.

In fact, I've seen recommendations for ballistic glasses AND ballistic goggles over top, to cover a larger area and provide a second layer of eye protection. So, what specifically to wear on deployment? Here are some recommendations:

Ballistic Glasses

• Wiley-X SG-1 with ballistic lenses, padded frames that keep out dirt et. al., and toughened goggles are widely used and get high marks. They will stop 12 gauge 00 buckshot fired from 7 meters away (insert Dick Cheney joke here). They have National Stock Numbers. Prescription ballistic lens for Wiley-X can apparently be obtained through www.sportrx.com in San Diego; they'll even sell you the glasses and lenses together. Will says try them before purchasing, to make sure your head is shaped right and they're comfortable. The PT-1 are also an option for those without a need for prescription lenses, and XL-1 and JP-1 are on a continuum between PT-1s and SG-1s.

• Another option is ReVision in Montreal, who also passes the shotgun test (insert Dick Cheney next career joke here). The British liked these ballistic glasses so much they bought them as standard kit, and so has the Canadian Forces. The Sawfly USA Military Eyewear System is on the US Army Authorized Eyewear List. Smoke coloured and yellow lenses come with. Note that the Bullet Ant model is specially designed to work with British equipment; Americans will want the Sawfly.

Strongly consider wearing ballistic glasses at all times, even while inside the wire on base. They can even be worn when using Night Vision Goggles (NVGs). Wearing them tight against the face using the head strap keeps out wind, dust and sand (SG-1, XL-1). Note that some folks say to be warned re: the smoke-coloured inserts, wearing dark shades and talking to Iraqis can create cultural friction because they can't see your eyes and that's important for trust.

Goggles

The military issue sun, wind, dust goggles DO NOT come with a clear ballistic lexan lens. Another option is to buy large ballistic protective goggles, which are useful. You cannot wear them at all times 24/7/365 like Wiley-X or shooter's glasses, but if you're on patrol they're a good instead/ in addition option. Saved this snippet, trying to remember where from:

"The Wiley-X is a very small goggle/ eyeglass and does not cover a large facial area. If you are going into expected enemy contact, place large ballistic goggles over your Wiley-Xs to cover more facial area from their perch on your helmet after withdrawing your camouflage cover. This renders a second ballistic layer. If you need prescription magnification you can wrap the large goggle around your Wiley-Xs. However, it is an option to get large goggles with optical inserts in them, but this means you have to remove or drop your prescription Wiley-Xs down around your neck so you don't get double magnification. ...you have to decide beforehand if you will embed your prescription into your large goggles or to take care of corrected magnification solely through your Wiley-X glasses/goggles."

Have seen several recommendations for ESS Special Forces Profile NVG goggles as a perfect "no compromises" choice. If you go with prescription goggles, get the Rx Lens Carrier Insert too. This accessory lens holder comes with the jig for the Optical Dispensary to grind the perfect fit.

Now, whether you bought ballistic goggles or took the standard-issue stuff - get camouflage covers. Especially important in Afghanistan, where long-range target acquisition and avoiding it from the enemy is vital. Saved this snippet, but can't remember where from:

"At NTC (National Training Center) we as OPFOR (OPposing FORces, they were playing the enemy) could target and kill... from miles away because of the glint reflection from... the helmets [when people put their goggles up on their helmets]."

ESS has one, but it's black which won't blend so well with the uniform. Two off the shelf solutions to address this are:

• Eagle Industries Cover UNLINED (Do not buy lined version! Doesn't wrap well!). Comes in Tan.
• Goggle sock lens protector and anti-glare cover, reversible and comes in camo colors.

The US Department of Defense emall can be helpful here for purchases, or the links above will have other options. Talk to your unit, too, there can be volume discounts and they may be able to help you through the buying process.

Readers are free to add recommendations from personal experience of that of people they personally know and have discussed this with. Use the comments section....

UPDATE: Will has some excellent advice:

"This is one of the more overlooked aspects of prep for combat..... The main thing to keep in mind is that no set of glasses/lenses will last the whole tour, so replacement cost/availability is important, whether it be through the supply system or personal purchase. I put in a lot of effort to maintain a stock of ballistic eyewear replacements for the crews and I suggest that anyone deployng lean on their supply/S4 section to procure as many glasses/lenses in as many types as possible."