In recent article in the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research titled Ten Problems with Technology writer Raphael Cohen listed out ten reasons why even though the US military sinks “billions of dollars into new technology” it isn’t always used by the new “i-pod generation” of American Fighting man.
Number 10 on the list was “The Coolness Factor” and here Cohen said this about Oakley eyewear.
In terms of ballistic protection, a cheap set of no-name ballistic sunglasses will work just as well in most situations as a $100 pair of Oakley M Frame sunglasses, but they will not look as “cool” and certainly do not carry the same status. Soldiers often choose equipment that highlights their machismo. Just as teenagers model their look on what movie stars wear, young soldiers take fashion cues from their “movie stars”–usually operators in the special operations community.
Raphael’s suggestion: let them wear Oakleys when they’re out killing people to protect our freedom.
[Link: AEI]
