Following a disturbing report showing that service members are sustaining crippling traumatic brain injuries as a result of firing their own weapons, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited American Legion Post 82 to announce legislation to address traumatic brain injuries among service members and veterans.
Service members who regularly fire heavy weapons are at increased risk of brain injury as a result of repeated exposure to explosions or blasts from their own weapons and explosives – otherwise known as blast overpressure. These brain injuries can cause depression, anxiety, cognitive problems, hallucinations, panic attacks, violent outbursts, suicidal tendencies, psychiatric disorders, dementia, and a variety of other serious health problems. At least a dozen Navy SEALs who have died by suicide over the past decade were later found to have suffered blast injuries, and many more service members have complained of health issues after blast exposure. Despite this, the Pentagon has struggled to properly investigate the impact of blast overpressure, effectively track the prevalence of blast overpressure-related injuries, or offer appropriate care to service members and veterans. Gillibrand is calling for more research and better treatment for those affected.
“After repeatedly being exposed to blasts from their own weapons during both training and combat, our service members are sustaining severe and crippling brain trauma,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This bill will require the DoD to investigate the prevalence and causes of these brain injuries; to track each service member’s exposure to blasts; and to help service members access care. This is a critical bill and I look forward to getting it passed in the NDAA.”
“Ensuring the safety of our service members is paramount,” said State Senator Lea Webb. “The Blast Overpressure Safety Act represents a critical step in protecting those who bravely serve our nation. This act includes provisions such as improving access to protective gear, training programs, and more effective safety standards to name a few. By addressing the risks associated with blast overpressure, we are not only safeguarding their health but also enhancing their readiness and effectiveness.”
“The Blast Overpressure Safety Act is a critical bill that will safeguard the health and safety of our service members and veterans for years to come. I commend Senator Gillibrand for her dedication to fighting for our nation’s brave service members and ensuring they get the care they deserve,” said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar.
“For the good of our veterans and their families, one step at a time. The bipartisan Blast Overpressure Safety Act is one of those important steps forward, that will significantly help service members and veterans who are experiencing traumatic brain injuries or other effects from their service. Thank you Senator Gillibrand for working to move this legislation forward for the health and safety of our service members,” said Susan Rogers, VFW Department of NY District 5 Commander.
“The Blast Overpressure Safety Act is an integral piece of legislative to assist our service members and veterans and to take preventative measures for their health and safety,” said Ann Marie Hogancamp, VFW Department of NY Legislative Chair.
Gillibrand was joined by State Senator Leah Webb, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, Broome County Veterans Services Agency Director Brian Vojtisek, VFW Department of New York Legislative Chair Ann Marie Hogancamp, VFW Department of New York District 5 Commander Susan Rogers, American Legion Post 82 Commander Henry Jarworski, and members of the American Legion.
Specifically, the Blast Overpressure Safety Act would:
- Mandate regular neurocognitive assessments over a service member’s career, including a baseline neurocognitive assessment before training.
- Create blast overpressure exposure and TBI logs for all service members.
- Increase transparency regarding blast overpressure safety in the weapons acquisition process. DoD must consider the minimization of blast overpressure during the acquisition process, require contracting entities to provide blast overpressure safety data, and publish blast overpressure safety data for weapons systems and its plans to better protect service members from in-use weapons systems.
- Improve data on concussive and subconcussive brain injuries service members sustain. This includes information on discharges related to and medical providers trained in these injuries, as well as efforts with allies and partners to better address these injuries.
- Enhance efforts to mitigate exposure and help service members access care. This includes retaliation protections for those who seek care; modifying existing weapons system to reduce blast exposure; updating and making publicly available blast overpressure thresholds and creating a waiver system for exceeding these thresholds; training high-risk service members to help them recognize exposure symptoms and creating strategies to mitigate their risk; and expanding the types of technologies in the Warfighter Brain Health Initiative pilot blast monitoring program.
- Support service member treatment by establishing a Special Operations Comprehensive Brain Health and Trauma program, making the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) a program of record and requiring DoD to provide child care services to those seeking treatment there, and mandating training for medical and training personnel on blast overpressure and exposure and TBI.