What essential gear must be worn when engaging in small arms training?

When engaging in small arms training, wearing protective glasses and hearing protection is essential for safety. Protective glasses shield the eyes from potential debris, ricochets, or any sudden projectiles that may occur during shooting exercises. They also help prevent injuries from accidental discharges or equipment malfunctions. Hearing protection is equally critical, as small arms fire generates loud noise levels that can cause permanent hearing damage. Ensuring both eye and ear safety is a vital part of maintaining operational readiness and personal health for military personnel involved in shooting activities.

The other options, while they may be important in different contexts, do not specifically address the primary risks encountered during small arms training. Flame-resistant clothing is essential in environments where there is a risk of fire, body armor is critical in combat scenarios or high-risk environments, and gloves and knee pads may enhance comfort and grip, but they do not directly protect against the specific hazards presented during firearms training. Thus, protective glasses and hearing protection are identified as the key pieces of gear necessary for safely conducting small arms training exercises.