What is the primary role of the Navy's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during firearms training?

The primary role of the Navy's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during firearms training is to ensure the safety of personnel. PPE includes items such as hearing protection, eye protection, and other safety gear that guards against potential hazards associated with shooting firearms. During training exercises, the risk of hearing damage from loud gunfire and eye injuries from flying debris or spent casings increases significantly. Therefore, the use of PPE is critical to safeguarding the health and safety of all personnel involved in firearms training, allowing them to focus on skill development without the added concern of preventable injuries.

While improving marksmanship, complying with legal standards, and enhancing equipment durability are important in their own right, they are secondary to the fundamental purpose of protecting personnel from harm during training activities. Ensuring safety is the foundational priority that underlies all other aspects of firearms training exercises.