Abstract: A protective face mask has a face shield arranged to fully span a face area of the user while being secured relative to a protective helmet worn by the user. The face mask has a central viewing portion formed of a transparent material that is rigid so as to resist deformation when impacted. One or more breathing openings are formed in the face shield so as to be arranged to receive breathing air when inhaling and/or exhaling. A control structure is supported on the face shield in operative association with each breathing opening in non-interference with the central viewing portion of the face shield in which the control structure is one of (i) a filter member spanning across the breathing opening, or (ii) a valve member operable between open and closed positions so as to only allow flow through the breathing opening in one direction.