thought i would find this in searching but either missed it or it wasnt there.

So i know when i get to BCT ill get a good ole pair of Birth control glasses, actually identical to the ones my father got 25 years go. i've been told that i'll be allowed to wear civilian ones after BCT but need to keep my army issues reachable at all times. But how does deployment work, i know you get a eye exam before you leave and if needed a pair of BCG's but do you have to wear them while deployed or can you stick with the civilian glasses?

You can wear whatever you want. Sometimes you'll need ballistic protection as well and those will be issued perscription. Personally I like the BCG sunglasses as they've got a durable frame and the lenses are good quality and scratch resistant. All three sets of mine survived 18 months in the sandbox without damage. I had my civilian glasses as well (Polycarbonate with glare tint, photogrey) but kept them tucked away until it was slack time in the tent because they werent free

What really sucks is the optical inserts for your protective mask because the way you put the mask on, you drag it down your face and some tims it rips the skin off of the bridge your nose.


You'll sign numerous statements that you agree not to wear contacts in the field or face punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

I was in an airborne unit and was issued "Go-fasters."

I ordered inserts for all of the high speed eye protection I wore on my first deployment.After that tour, I had PRK done by the Army for free.

quote:

Originally posted by wiles89:
do you have to wear them while deployed or can you stick with the civilian glasses?

As stated above, you can wear what you want at that point. My question would be, unless you are trying to pick up some hot Iraqi chicks, why would you want to bring/wear your expensive and delicate civilian glasses rather than just sticking with the free and durable military ones?

I always wore my civy glasses, unless I popped in my contacts. I do NOT recommend wearing contacts in the sandbox, as it is VERY easy to get something in your eye. That's to say nothing of, Heaven forbid, something happening to you and them melting to your eye.
I wore cheap cvilian glasses. I wore 3 pair of them when in country, but I also wore contacts a lot. My deployment wasn't a hard-core one though, so I got away with it.
I got PRK while I was on terminal leave. It's worth every single penny. And then some.
Bring your BCGs, but if you're not worried about losing or breaking your cheap yet more fashionable glasses, go ahead. Just spend the extra dough to make sure they're more or less shatter proof. If you don't work under flourescent lights, get a pair of translucent (sp?) lenses that change from light to dark.
Use the 5th principle of patrolling (Common Sense).

As has been posted, contacts in the warzone are prohibited.

While in Iraq, I bought UVEX Falcon eyewear from USCAV.Com. Each pair were like $10, so when they got too scratched to see through, I tossed them and bought new ones.

I know several people who bought flashy expensive eye-pro and either lost them, had them stolen, or spent a lot of time and effort trying to hang on to them.

Matt
SPC, AV
US Army
OCS Selectee
Class 303-10

I was issued three pairs of BCG before deploying to the sandbox in '90; one clear, one brown tinted (sunglasses), both with semi-stylish frames, and the M17 inserts.

I did bring my civvie glasses, which I ended up breaking a nose piece off of just before coming home.

Since then I no longer get glasses with the individual nose pieces; I get ones with the solid plastic nose piece that can be easily replaced, or removed for cleaning.

quote:

Originally posted by wiles89:
thought i would find this in searching but either missed it or it wasnt there.

So i know when i get to BCT ill get a good ole pair of Birth control glasses, actually identical to the ones my father got 25 years go. i've been told that i'll be allowed to wear civilian ones after BCT but need to keep my army issues reachable at all times. But how does deployment work, i know you get a eye exam before you leave and if needed a pair of BCG's but do you have to wear them while deployed or can you stick with the civilian glasses?

When you prepare to deploy you will be issued new glasses. It's part of the process.

On the FOB unless stated otherwise I have never seen anyone hemmed up over wearing it, it being civilian glasses. If you travel outside the wire ballistic eyepro is required, sometimes required on the FOB dependent on certain things.

IIRC the Oakley prescription lenses are NOT ballistic just for FYI. Wish that I had known that my last trip.

quote:

Originally posted by JerryG:
I was issued three pairs of BCG before deploying to the sandbox in '90; one clear, one brown tinted (sunglasses), both with semi-stylish frames, and the M17 inserts.

I did bring my civvie glasses, which I ended up breaking a nose piece off of just before coming home.

Since then I no longer get glasses with the individual nose pieces; I get ones with the solid plastic nose piece that can be easily replaced, or removed for cleaning.

Ditto here. I was issued the brown plastic frame glasses, two pair with clear lenses and one with tinted. I have been stuck on plastc frames since. Luckily plastic frames are in style now.

The only difference as mine weren't semi stylish.