Quick question :)

For my christmas/graduation gift, my aunt wants to buy me (give me money for) a nice pair of sunglasses. I noticed several cadets wearing some when I visited USAFA this summer, as well as in many of the photos online. I was wondering what kind of guidelines you have to follow for those? I'd like to be able to bring mine with me if possible, but I'd hate to not be allowed to for some regulation or another. Now that I think of it, are you allowed to bring your own in the first place? Thank y'all!

quick answer

You can't have them during Basic, but a lot of new cadets had them mailed out to their PO boxes for A-day. I couldn't find it in the Cadet Sight Picture, but they have to be fairly plain (black or brown), not too big, and cannot have mirrored lenses. I think those are all the requirements, but maybe someone else has more info. about it.

Found on Table 2.8

"Conservative ornamentation on frames and lenses. Authorize conservative ornamentation on non-prescription sunglasses or eyeglasses, frames may be
black or brown material or gold or silver wire. Brand name glasses may be worn with small logo on frames or lenses. Logo must be same color as frames or lenses. Conservative wrap-around sunglasses may be worn. Conservative, clear, slightly tinted or photosensitive lenses. Conservative lenses and frames (faddish styles and mirrored lenses prohibited). Not worn around the neck or on top/back of head or exposed hanging on the uniform. Eyeglasses/sunglasses will be worn in the manner for which they were made. No sunglasses (to include darkened photosensitive lenses) in formation (EXEPTION: Cadets with a valid Cadet Illness/Injury Report requiring sunglasses due to eye surgery will participate in Noon Meal Formation ONLY)."

Thank you both! That was really helpful, and I'll be sure to remember that. I really appreciate it. I'm so pumped for USAFA, I can't help but want to start preparing for it now.

many cadets purchase Oakley sunglasses. they are on the more expensive side, but they offer a military discount which makes it much better. usstandardissue dot com is the site for that, but again, you have to have a military or other governemnt worker id to get those prices

pn298ab said:

(EXEPTION: Cadets with a valid Cadet Illness/Injury Report requiring sunglasses due to eye surgery will participate in Noon Meal Formation ONLY)."

Click to expand...

A little known effect of having the PRK surgery at the Academy. You will not get to march in a parade for a whole year after the procedure.

Stealth_81

Eyeware Post - Legit?

SouthernFalcon,
Before you have your parents spend a lot of money buying Spectacles that could end up costing them a lot of money but that could end up not being a good fit for you please do some research.
I currently support the Army’s Program Executive Officer – Soldier (after 20 years in the Air Force). The Army has a Military Combat Eye Protection (MCEP) Program and one of the products it produces is the Authorized Protective Eyewear List (APEL). The MCEP Program test commercial protective eyewear to military ballistic and to American National Standards (ANSI). Eyewear passing these tests are then tested by soldiers for form and fit. The Army found out that different eyewear styles accommodate different facial features/head dimensions differently, impacting proper fit and retention of eye protection on the individual. Choice allows Soldiers to optimize fit/retention, increasing likelihood that eye protection will be worn/retained on the head, and thus maximizing safety.
I know that only eyewear on the APEL can be ordered through the Army supply system and I’ve heard the US Navy will only order/issue eyewear that is on the APEL. I’ve also seen data that the Air Force and the Marine Corp also orders eyewear that is on the APEL.
Currently there are nine spectacles on the APEL: ESS Crossbow, Oakley SI Ballistic M Frame 2.0, Revision Sawfly, Smith Optics Aegis, UVEX XC, UVEX Genesis, Wiley X SG-1, Wiley X Talon, and Wiley X PT-1.
All the vendors have websites that you can compare styles and cost and there are plenty of places you can obtain these products from. Also see if you can access the PEO Soldier web site and each spectacle has a fact sheet on that site. PEO Soldier Eyewear site is: https://peosoldier.army.mil/pmseq/eyewear.asp. PEO Soldier information can also be accessed by Facebook and Twitter.
Bottom line: in the military eye protection on and off duty is a huge issue and a choice should allow you to make a “Best Value” decision to best suit your needs.