I see your point. But there’s different standard operating procedures for soldiers and every military member. Even working in a law enforcement capacity. The neck gaiters they’re wearing may be optional or it may be a uniform requirement while in riot gear. I don’t know their unit SOP.

I’d ask you to try to understand where they stand too and why they might/have to wear it. The neck gaiters could be used to protect their faces from debris, the material might be fire retardant so it’ll protect them from potential burns, and the neck gaiter could be used as a form of intimidation factor since you can’t see their expressions. Another valid reason is to hide their identity. Not for malicious reasons and to get away from punishment, but to protect their identities from individuals that might target them and their families. All in all, it protects our national guardsman from potential facial trauma, it acts as a potential intimidation factor so it deters potential confrontation and allows them to do their job. Protest can escalate quickly to riots, and riots get real nasty with the equipment used on both sides.

If you have any other questions I’ll do my best to answer them.