# military eye protection **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 24, 2013, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247 "2013-02-24T14:16:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![matt357](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@matt357](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt357)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247/1 "2013-02-24T14:16:28Z")
is there any info on the exact brand of eye protection the US military uses? I would like to buy a pair as I imagine its high quality. I know they have goggle types and glasses types. I am not happy with most eye protection available at home depot type stores. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247/2 "2013-02-24T14:20:07Z")
There is not one single type. There are several brands on the approved list made by several companies. Here is the list. [https://peosoldier.army.mil/equipment/eyewear/](https://peosoldier.army.mil/equipment/eyewear/) ---
**Author:** ![matt357](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@matt357](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt357)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247/3 "2013-02-24T15:24:16Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > There is not one single type. There are several brands on the approved list made by several companies. Here is the list. > > [https://peosoldier.army.mil/equipment/eyewear/](https://peosoldier.army.mil/equipment/eyewear/) so who decides what unit gets what brand? The list you posted are US military APPROVED eye protection, but what eye protection is CURRENTLY in use by the military? ---
**Author:** ![drillrod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@drillrod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drillrod)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247/4 "2013-02-24T15:33:34Z")
Honestly, it varies from unit to unit. Eye pro is often bought through contract by the unit or installation, as opposed to there being a single overarching model issued to the entire Army. During my last deployment (Oct 2010- June 2011), I was issued Revision, but some guys in the unit next to mine were wearing ESS. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247/5 "2013-02-24T15:47:55Z")
If it has a NSN the unit can order it. If they have a budget for it. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247/6 "2013-02-24T15:54:51Z")
For my workplace I supply several different styles of ANSI (American National Standards Institute)-approved safety eyewear, based on the needs of the individual workstation. I have my local vendors, so I don’t buy online, but you might want to browse [this link](http://m.safetyglassesusa.com/category/Safety%20Glasses.html) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247/7 "2013-02-24T16:00:29Z")
Firefox reports this as “This Connection is Untrusted”? Doesn’t seem to happy that I tried to go there. Is it safe? I’ve been looking for a military approved brand of shooting glasses. > [@Loach](#): > > There is not one single type. There are several brands on the approved list made by several companies. Here is the list. > > [https://peosoldier.army.mil/equipment/eyewear/](https://peosoldier.army.mil/equipment/eyewear/) ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247/8 "2013-02-24T16:01:41Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > There is not one single type. There are several brands on the approved list made by several companies. Here is the list. > > [https://peosoldier.army.mil/equipment/eyewear/](https://peosoldier.army.mil/equipment/eyewear/) For some reason, firefox doesn’t trust this site. Firefoxes are suspicious li’l predators. ETA: Ninja’d ---
**Author:** ![matt357](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@matt357](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt357)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247/9 "2013-02-24T16:03:27Z")
> [@drillrod](#): > > Honestly, it varies from unit to unit. Eye pro is often bought through contract by the unit or installation, as opposed to there being a single overarching model issued to the entire Army. > > During my last deployment (Oct 2010- June 2011), I was issued Revision, but some guys in the unit next to mine were wearing ESS. one thing I noticed is that in [https://peosoldier.army.mil/equipment/eyewear/](https://peosoldier.army.mil/equipment/eyewear/) when you click on a pair of safety glasses for a description it dosent mention any of their goggles having a internal fan to reduce fog , but on other websites like this [http://www.revisionmilitary.com/product/desert-locust-fan-goggle-system/](http://www.revisionmilitary.com/product/desert-locust-fan-goggle-system/) it does. Do the ones the military issue not have the internal fan? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247/10 "2013-02-24T17:22:14Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Firefox reports this as “This Connection is Untrusted”? Doesn’t seem to happy that I tried to go there. > > Is it safe? I’ve been looking for a military approved brand of shooting glasses. It’s a .mil government website not a private one. As safe as any run by the US military. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247/11 "2013-02-24T17:23:15Z")
> [@matt357](#): > > one thing I noticed is that in [https://peosoldier.army.mil/equipment/eyewear/](https://peosoldier.army.mil/equipment/eyewear/) when you click on a pair of safety glasses for a description it dosent mention any of their goggles having a internal fan to reduce fog , but on other websites like this [http://www.revisionmilitary.com/product/desert-locust-fan-goggle-system/](http://www.revisionmilitary.com/product/desert-locust-fan-goggle-system/) it does. Do the ones the military issue not have the internal fan? None that I have seen but I have not seen them all. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247/12 "2013-02-24T17:54:36Z")
**matt** The link takes you to an “Authorized Protective Eyewear List” (APEL), of various manufacturers and their models. If something appears on the APEL list, it’s authorized for use in theater. You can order stuff through a handful of websites, that if ya need, I can post some of. . . I order eyewear routinely 'cause we go through them (appropriately so) instead of eyeballs. Tripler The best protection is not putting your eye into an incoming path of stuff. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247/13 "2013-02-24T18:09:23Z")
Yes, please post links to places that sell military glasses to the general public. I need a good pair of Rx shooting glasses. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247/14 "2013-02-24T18:33:38Z")
DISCLAIMER: I have no official connection with these companies. They’re just past links I’ve had saved in my bookmarks. These are all open to the public, though: [Tactical Tailor \>\> Accessories \>\> Eyewear](http://www.tacticaltailor.com/accessorieseyewear.aspx) [Ranger Joe’s \>\> Eyewear](http://www.rangerjoes.com/Eyewear-and-Jewelry-C92.aspx) [Brigade QM \>\> Search for ‘eyewear’](http://www.brigadeqm.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=eyewear) Just a few links. I’ll see what else I have at the office. I do know that Oakley makes a prescription lens for their frames. I used to have a pair before I got my PRK. Tripler I have other military supply links open to the public too–lemme know and I’ll do an MPSIMS. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247/15 "2013-02-24T18:57:23Z")
Thanks Tripler. I miss my dependent military ID. My dad and I shopped a lot at the BX and Commissary. ---
**Author:** ![matt357](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@matt357](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt357)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247/16 "2013-02-24T19:53:39Z")
I wonder if the goggles with the fan in them would suck dust and stuff into the mask? ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247/17 "2013-02-24T22:08:41Z")
For a little while, I had the same thought you did when it came to clothing, boots, sunglasses, etc.: “Screw this consumer-grade shit, I’m going to buy whatever the police/military/government/etc. uses!” After a little while, I realized that the government employees who decide what products they will buy are not the same people who actually use those products. Which means most of the products the government purchases are designed to appeal to the procurement bureaucracy, not the end-user. As a result, most of the stuff the government buys is crap. ---
**Author:** ![matt357](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@matt357](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt357)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247/18 "2013-02-24T23:38:52Z")
it says the fan draws outside air into the goggle, is there a filter their otherwise it would draw in dust and sand wouldent it? ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-eye-protection/651247/19 "2013-02-24T23:44:11Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > After a little while, I realized that the government employees who decide what products they will buy are not the same people who actually use those products. Which means most of the products the government purchases are designed to appeal to the procurement bureaucracy, not the end-user. As a result, most of the stuff the government buys is crap. That’s why we don’t buy crap. We buy what others in my field recommend, and we know are tested. Rucksacks, boots, pocket knives, hell even food. I don’t buy the normal “rank and file” crap. But then again, I _take care_ of my sh\*t so I don’t have to buy the same stuff over and over again. Seriously, with what I know about marketing and the buzzwords-du-jour, I oughtta open up my own Tactical Store. Tripler Tactical Glasses of Water (with IR and stealth features) for the Special Warfare Fluid Aspirator. BOOYAHHH!