Mirrored Sunglasses in Uniform

T

tweety_bird

USNA 2025
Joined
Apr 12, 2020
Messages
168
Are sunglasses allowed to be mirrored, or are they considered a distraction? I've already read the uniform regulation, but I'm still not sure.

For reference, I am looking at purchasing these: https://www.roka.com/collections/ul...loy-aviator-sunglasses?variant=32578411298863 Which of the color options would be permissible in uniform?

(1) Prescription Glasses. While in Uniform, prescription glasses worn will not present a Uniform distraction. Prescription glasses that distract from a Professional Military appearance are not permitted. Retainer straps are authorized for FOD prevention and safety only. If Retainer straps are required, they shall be plain, black and worn snugly against the back of the head.)
 
I recall something like "Conservative sunglasses are permitted, except in Military formations."
Mirrored lenses are not permitted. Silver frame is good. If you're planning on handing over that much for a pair of sunglasses, get what pilots wear.
AO Optical Pilot sunglasses. They are still made in the USA - and best of all - they aren't Ray Bans.
 
Go conservative, functional and inexpensive to start. Then assess what makes sense with what you will then know about what is considered within regs, culturally and officially.
 
THParent said:
"Conservative sunglasses are permitted, except in Military formations."
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Capt MJ said:
Go conservative, functional and inexpensive to start. Then assess what makes sense with what you will then know about what is considered within regs, culturally and officially.
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^ Good words to live by, especially for a Plebe to Be ... be conservative and understand the difference between "culturally and officially" The definition of "conservative sunglasses" may vary by individual. Woe to the Plebe (or any Midshipman) who tries to argue with the Marine Captain in the Yard (just my experience, its usually the Marine Captain :rolleyes: ) who doesn't like your sunglasses, or your haircut (back in the day, parted down the middle was within reg, but some Company Officers didn't like it. The truth is, this carries on to the Fleet -- I recall one of my fellow JO's in the squadron pointing out that none of the senior officers had mustaches when I was growing my first deployment 'stache.
 
THParent said:
Look, I'm right here you two! ;)
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We are just trying to save a newbie a little money and stave off the inevitable outcome of an encounter with a squared-away Marine on a mission. It can be traumatic to tender squidlets.

And with the incoming Commandant a combat-experienced Marine…
 
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DD had vision-correction surgery done last semester. Then had billet interviews with the Dant staff not long after. So there she was, in dress blues, wearing the Walter Reed-issue “sunglasses” while speaking with senior officers and NCOs, Marines included. Surely the last time she’ll ever get away with that! 😎
 
Back in the day, we had eyes dilated at during the Precomm physicals...giving us the excuse to wear sunglasses for the rest of the day. I will admit, some went out of their way to stretch the limits of conservative sunglasses. My recollection is Varnet was in vogue back then.
 
THParent said:
Look, I'm right here you two!
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Unless you are about 5'2 (okay, maybe a little exaggerated) with a Napolean complex, i wasn't thinking of you. On the other hand, my Company Officer the last two years was a Marine Major, mustang, who was one of the best Officers that I saw at USNA. He was squared away and strict, but fair with us... and as a Mustang (prior enlisted) was not too hung up on some of the USNA BS.
 
We will have to agree to disagree on the quality, unless you're talking about the ones made by Bausch & Lomb (Canada) before they sold out to Luxottica (Italy/China) in the late nineties.
 
This brings up an interesting point. In the early days of the Iraq peacekeeping the British military decided to ban British peacekeepers from wearing sunglasses. They wanted to ensure they could make eye contact with Iraqis and help build trust. I still think this was a good decision.
 
sanman said:
This brings up an interesting point. In the early days of the Iraq peacekeeping the British military decided to ban British peacekeepers from wearing sunglasses. They wanted to ensure they could make eye contact with Iraqis and help build trust. I still think this was a good decision.
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I recall a story from "One Bullet Away" by Nathaniel Fick. He was leading a patrol in the Baghdad suburbs soon after the city was taken. Everyone in the column was wearing sunglasses. All the Iraqis they met were extremely glad to see them. A couple weeks later they patrolled the same neighborhoods. The Iraqis were sullen, avoided them, and generally were not glad to see them. They asked the neighborhood leaders what the problem was. The reply (via the translator) was "It's your sunglasses. They think they are x-ray glasses and that you can see beneath their women's outer garments." Fick gave one of the leaders his glasses to put on. The leader put them on and looked around. After a minute he said, (again via the translator) "How do you turn them on?". :D
 
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