When I was in Basic, we shot M1s with no ear protection, although there was a roll of cotton batting to stuff your ears if you were sissy enough to ask for it.  In tank training, we did use the cotton for firing the 90mm gun and machine guns but it was woefully inadequate.  When I hired into GM a few years later, a hearing evaluation was part of the process and I was discovered to already be down 40dB in my right ear!  Was that due to the unprotected shooting? I have to think so.

I think, but don't know, that today's military is much more concerned with protecting the ears of its troops.  Does anyone here really know what current policies are in this regard?

Stu