What Glasses does the Military Use?

February 02, 2021

UARM

Especially when it comes to men’s fashion, some of the most popular glasses to wear are those used by the military. For instance, the ‘’Aviator’’ sunglasses were popularized all the way back in the 1940s and are still one of the most recognizable designs. But, sunglasses are nowhere near the only type of glasses used by the military, especially if we include the Army, Navy, and the Air Force. Depending on the mission, requirements, as well as the operator, there is a wide range of approved choices. Generally, military glasses are divided into three categories:

Glare protection
Ballistic protection
Gear compatibility

Ideally, a pair of glasses should encompass all three options. The selection of eyewear should be, at worst, unobtrusive for the operator allowing them to see better, and at best protective and complementary to the needs of the mission.

Military Glasses vs. Ballistic Glasses

Military and ballistic glasses are by no means synonymous. While there are standard-issue ballistic glasses that are widespread, especially in the army, there are also glasses, goggles, and sunglasses that offer no direct ballistic protection. Additionally, while high-end ballistic glasses will stop a .22 from penetrating the operator, this is not their direct purpose. Namely, the ballistic capacity is present to stop any high-velocity debris or shrapnel, as well as flying casings from the soldier’s own weapon. The main purpose of military glasses in general is to sustain the vision of the soldier in the fields regardless of the conditions. In most cases that will be to fight off glare and front-facing sunlight. Also, there is protection from water in some maritime situations and wet conditions. Ballistic protection is only for combat situations that have a high probability of debris flying towards the eyes. But, as these glasses are not heavy or have any other downsides many soldiers use them in day-to-day operations.

Health and Survivability

Survivability is the biggest concern for armies when it comes to soldiers in the field. Risks of head-facing sunlight and glare have been known to generals for eons that nobody wants to lose tactical ability just because the enemy is few degrees to the side. This is why the primary concern for anyone ordering or buying tactical sunglasses is the sharpness of vision and reduction of visual artifacts. In most cases, it is better to lose some of the color visible than to have visibility diminished in certain situations. Lowering exposure to UV light and the elements is also beneficial for the wearer’s overall health, which for the military brings long-term benefits.

Compatibility with other Gear

It is important for any gear made for the military to be compatible with the rest of the setup carried by the soldiers. This means that the glasses issued need to be compatible with the helmet, communication systems, as well as any optical gear used. Thankfully, with the proliferation of modular gear, this has become easier and now most tactical glasses have these capabilities. Still, if some specialized gear is used an additional step should be taken to ensure that your glasses can fit without any issues.