Senator Kirsten Gillibrand unveiled new legislation Monday aimed at tackling the alarming rates of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) among U.S. service members, many of whom are suffering from brain trauma after repeated exposure to blasts during training and combat.
Speaking at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2246 in Rome, Gillibrand emphasized the need for more research, tracking, and treatment to address the growing issue of blast-related brain injuries in the military.
“Many of our service members are experiencing severe brain trauma after being exposed to explosions from their own weapons,” said Gillibrand. “We owe it to them to fully investigate these injuries, track exposure, and ensure they receive the care they need.”
Gillibrand’s proposed bill, the Blast Overpressure Safety Act, follows a series of reports highlighting the significant health risks faced by military personnel who frequently handle heavy weaponry. These individuals are often subjected to “blast overpressure,” a force created by the shockwave from explosions, which can cause severe brain injuries. The symptoms range from depression, anxiety, and cognitive issues to violent outbursts, hallucinations, and even suicidal tendencies. Some of these effects have been observed in at least a dozen Navy SEALs who died by suicide in the past decade, with post-mortem examinations revealing blast injuries.
The Department of Defense (DoD) has faced criticism for failing to adequately address the prevalence of these injuries or provide sufficient care for affected service members. While many soldiers have reported long-term health issues after blast exposure, the Pentagon has struggled to thoroughly investigate the impact of blast overpressure on soldiers’ health or track the injuries in a systematic way.
Gillibrand was joined by several local officials, including VFW Post 2246 Post Commander Will Ginter, VFW Department of New York Legislative Chair Ann Marie Hogancamp, VFW District 4 Commander Matthew VanEtten, and Rome Mayor Jeff Lanigan, in advocating for the new legislation.
The Blast Overpressure Safety Act aims to introduce several measures designed to protect service members and improve their access to care:
- Neurocognitive assessments: Service members would undergo regular neurocognitive testing throughout their careers, starting with a baseline test before they begin training.
- Blast overpressure and TBI logs: All military personnel would have their exposure to blasts and any resulting brain injuries documented to ensure proper monitoring.
- Weapons safety: The DoD would be required to consider blast overpressure safety when acquiring new weapons systems. Contractors would need to provide data on the blast impacts of these systems, which would also be made publicly available to promote transparency.
- Improved injury data: The legislation would enhance data collection on brain injuries, including concussive and subconcussive injuries, and train medical professionals on diagnosing and treating these conditions. It would also encourage the U.S. to collaborate with allies in addressing brain trauma among service members.
- Mitigating exposure risks: The bill would enhance efforts to reduce service members’ exposure to blasts by modifying existing weapons systems and updating blast overpressure safety thresholds. High-risk personnel would receive special training to recognize symptoms of blast-related injuries, and technologies used in the Warfighter Brain Health Initiative pilot program would be expanded.
- Treatment support: A key provision of the bill would establish the Special Operations Comprehensive Brain Health and Trauma Program, making the National Intrepid Center of Excellence a permanent facility. The legislation would also ensure the availability of childcare for service members seeking treatment and mandate training on brain injuries for medical and training personnel.
The bill also addresses the need for protection against retaliation for service members who seek medical treatment, a concern that has been raised by some veterans in the past.
Gillibrand stressed the urgency of passing the bill, stating it would be a priority in the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) negotiations.
“Too many of our service members are suffering, and we must act now to protect them and ensure they receive the care they deserve,” she said.
The proposed legislation is expected to bring greater attention to the long-term impact of blast-related brain injuries, an issue that has often been overlooked in favor of addressing more visible combat injuries. With the introduction of the Blast Overpressure Safety Act, Gillibrand and her supporters hope to improve the quality of life for thousands of service members and veterans affected by these hidden wounds of war.
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