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I was reading the topic about the M1A Brush gun et al and saw the Peltors in the pics of the one shooter (already forgot the name ) and was wondering...
While most all of us wear hearing protection religiously at the range, and many do while hunting (particularly the young guys), how does the Army and Marine Corps address hearing protection on the battlefield nowadays? In my time it was even iffy at some ranges in my early days. I don't see video of them wearing any, not even the plugs. So, is anything done at all and how are you guys and your buddies faring?
I think this is important because there are some of us hunters who don't use hearing protection squirrel, rabbit, or big game hunting. I don't wear it dove hunting either. Yes, I've had some hearing loss over the years. Not all of it was from gun fire but also from industrial noise and too loud bar bands...
Sincerely,
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
In the 80's they fitted you in basic with a color coded plug, by size, for your ears. You were given a light olive colored case that held them and the lid acted as a holder for base of the plug to insert them in your ear. The holder had a beaded chain with a dog tag like release that was to go under the left breast pocket button closest to your sternum. The unit I was in didn't require this but all of the soldiers in other units on base did.
In Iraq we were given the new plugs. One end was yellow, the other brown. I don't recall which end but one was completely covered eliminating most sound. The other end had a hole through the center and vented out through the sides to allow some sound in. The HMMWV I had used a Bose intercom system and radio headseat. Their were three other sets in the vehicle. I always had my guys use it. It was easier to say in conversation tone of voice, 'Turn left' instead of yelling, 'TURN LEFT. WHAT? TURN LEFT YOU %$^^%@' or to the gunner 'Watch that vehicle on the right.' instead of WATCH THE VEHICLE ON THE RIGHT. SHOOT THE VEHICLE ON THE RIGHT? NO WATCH IT YOU %^$%#$. Plus everyone could hear any of the radio conversations and know exactly what was going on.This was adequate protection from loud noises. You could also leave the headset on, unplug from the vehicle and use the headset as an amplifier of sound like some of the range muffs available today. I didn't but you could.
Patrolling the villages or doing an assault the temptation is to leave the plugs out to hear, of course the first few rounds close in the ringing starts. In the vehicle their really is no excuse not to wear something in my opinion. The vehicles are so loud and you can feel the pressure in the vehicle change even on a distant explosion, so you know something happened. If it's just a bullet their is a chance the gunner could hear it if it goes over and misses the vehicle.
When we left our FOB their was a large sign that said, Don't forget your eyes and ears and Speed saves lives.
Last edited by reo on Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
Back in the day, I found cigg. butts worked as well as what the Army issued me, and you always have a few butts in your pocket (if you smoked, that is..most did when I was in)
The Rotten Fruit Always Hits The Ground First
Proud Life Member Of:
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Most of us are wearing headsets (special Operations issue Elec Muffs with radio interface) and most of the people traveling off the FOB are wearing muffs to avoid the over pressure of IEDs. At least are told to with their armor. But the bottom line is some of them are lucky to remember where they left their weapons and forget the rest.
Both boys were in Iraq when this started, then went back twice more the older to Iraq and Afghanistan, the other Iraq. Both have some hearing loss (they were Marine grunts). It's not just the sound, but also blast pressure. And even with hearing protection, an M4 in a stone building will do some damage. But if that was the worst thing they had suffered, I'd be doing the happy dance. Both still carry Iraqi steel in their bodies.
Heck, you should have seen it the last time the three of us tried to fly. They used to joke about me not being able to go thru a metal detector. Pay back is a....
Jeepnik AKA "Old Eyes"
"Go low, go slow and preferably in the dark" The old Sarge (he was maybe 24.
"Freedom is never more that a generation from extinction" Ronald Reagan
"Every man should have at least one good rifle and know how to use it" Dad
Like Reo mentioned I use the newer tactical plugs you use them yellow side out for sustained noise like being on a Helo or machinery. You wear the brown side out for when you are shooting they block a chunk of the noise but at the same time you can talk with out yelling all the time.
Jeremy
GySgt USMC Ret
To err is human, To forgive is devine, Neither of which is Marine Corps policy Semper Fidelis
First Gulf War didn't use any. In 03 and begining of 04 in Iraq, I wore some peltors when flying helos (every week) and when in convoys. Second half of 04' and til Jun 08 been using electronic ear muffs with com connectors. This last trip was right after I retired and was there as a contractor. I did 24+ years active duty and have 40% hearing loss in my left ear. The last 4 years hearing protection has been seriously looked at by the 5th SFGA.
Here's a pic of me in May
CD
De Oppresso Liber
Iraq 91,03,04,05,06,08, 09, 15 & 16
Afghanistan 09,10, 11 & 14
Great pic, are you in a MRAP? Never saw one in person. Came after I was there. Interesting chair your in. By the way, forum rules dictate not to go in to much detail, which is appropriate. Just in case you didn't know. And welcome to the forum.
) and was wondering...
And welcome to the forum.