I'd prefer to hear what was around me.
right?! assuming that he IS maintaining radio contact with someone useful.. in that situation, you would think that things could go south real quick, right next to him. In my opinion, that whole thing looks like one big powder keg just waiting for the right spark-which is what they(government) want.
And if he is wired to a transceiver than he can do that without the ear protection. That way he can still be more aware of his surroundings.
I think that the earmuffs headsets are a fad among wannabe "operators" and "contractors". sure, they are easier to hear and probably save your ears in the long run, BUT so does a good earplug in the ear closest to the firing. I, myself would not want anything more weighing me down than necessary or restricting my head movement in any way.
unless noise and light discipline are a factor, a damn shoulder mic would be sufficent.
Those are most likely the sound reactive muffs. You can hear around you through a mic but when outside levels rocket up they cut the volume via compression.
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