How inconvenient is it having glasses?

A

another guy

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I know some of yall are rolling your eyes at how dumb this sounds but I've been wondering about it. I am aware this has been asked elsewhere years ago but I want to get the perspective of those at West Point and generally those who went through training with prescription glasses.

My eyesight is good enough to where I can survive without them but bad enough to where if I want to recognize things more than 20 meters away I should probably wear my glasses. Now I already hate wearing my glasses but I was wondering how inconvenient they were in a field environment. Like I expect them to get pretty dirty and you have to wipe your face with muddy gloves every couple minutes which is already a headache thinking about. Another thing was what am I going to do if I wanted to wear sunglasses because I like to be able to see when I'm facing the sun. Can I wear tinted goggles over my glasses? Is that even less comfortable? It's little things that I just think about as R-Day comes closer.
 
Most Army units have Field uniforms now that require eye protection as a component for all. Basically safety glasses you wear and they have prescription inserts that the Army provides. They also have tinted lenses that are removable. So you can have and should have glasses and even tinted lenses. Even if you don't initially wear your glasses. As a lifelong glasses wearer and. 20 year plus Soldier I know it is a bit annoying but you and your unit need you scanning your sector pulling security and able to engage with your weapon before your target is 20m out.
 
another guy said:
I know some of yall are rolling your eyes at how dumb this sounds but I've been wondering about it. I am aware this has been asked elsewhere years ago but I want to get the perspective of those at West Point and generally those who went through training with prescription glasses.

My eyesight is good enough to where I can survive without them but bad enough to where if I want to recognize things more than 20 meters away I should probably wear my glasses. Now I already hate wearing my glasses but I was wondering how inconvenient they were in a field environment. Like I expect them to get pretty dirty and you have to wipe your face with muddy gloves every couple minutes which is already a headache thinking about. Another thing was what am I going to do if I wanted to wear sunglasses because I like to be able to see when I'm facing the sun. Can I wear tinted goggles over my glasses? Is that even less comfortable? It's little things that I just think about as R-Day comes closer.
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It is extremely manageable. You will be issued two pairs of glasses with prescription lenses (make sure to do and submit your eye exam results because you will not be allowed to wear your personal glasses until after march back), as well as two cases. Additionally, you will be issued eye protection (eye-pro) with prescription inserts, so I highly recommend using them while you're out doing stuff like basic rifle marksmanship (some cadre may allow you to use your regular glasses if that is more comfortable). Yes, you will be a bit dirty in the field, but I never got mud or anything crazy on my lenses. However, I will say that I lost a pair during the great flood, so be sure to always keep track of your stuff, even when you're not in the field.

You can't wear sunglasses, and even though you are issued shaded eye-pro, you will be forced to use the regular, non-shaded lenses. The Sun will rarely hinder your vision, as there are plenty of trees.
 
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