GI glasses

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GI glasses are specially made glasses worn by trainees/recruits and soldiers in the U.S. military. They are required during boot camp and in combat scenarios, for soldiers requiring prescription corrective lenses. They are large, to allow a wide plane of vision, and are thick with reinforced frames to prevent breaking. They are also waterproof. They are worn to prevent breakage which could injure, complicate vision, or otherwise impair someone in a critical situation.^[1]

When entering boot camp, soldiers may wear civilian glasses until government-issued ones are assigned. Contact lenses are never permissible for these exercises. After boot camp, soldiers are permitted to wear civilian glasses provided they are conservative in design and color.

Soldiers commonly call them "BC glasses" (birth control glasses), due to their unattractive appearance.^[1]

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b} Surviving Air Force Basic Training. About.com U.S. Military. Retrieved on 2007-02-11.