To accomplish the mission, TBICoE supports, trains and monitors service members, veterans, family members and providers who have been, or care for those who are affected by traumatic brain injury.

TBICoE works at the macro-level, screening and briefing service members heading into theater, performing pre-deployment provider training at military hospitals and clinics, gathering data mandated by Congress and DOD, and overseeing research programs. TBICoE develops educational materials for military and civilian providers, and for service members, veterans, and their families.

The DOD has further solidified TBICoE's role by naming it the Office of Responsibility for these tasks:

• Creation and maintenance of a TBI surveillance database
• Creation and distribution of the Family Caregiver Guide
• Design and execution of a 15-year longitudinal study of the effects of TBI in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom service members and their families

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Active duty and reserve service members are at increased risk for sustaining a TBI compared to their civilian peers. This is a result of several factors, including the specific demographics of the military; in general, young men between the ages of 18 to 24 are at greatest risk for TBI. Many operational and training activities, which are routine in the military, are physically demanding and even potentially dangerous. To get an idea of how many TBIs are sustained by each branch, each year since 2000 — check out the TBI DoD Worldwide Numbers page.

If you or a service member you care for is looking for more information about TBI, check out the Patient and Family Resources page — there you will find fact sheets, caregiver guides, and other patient resources. Review them with a medical provider as you work towards recovery or help the recovery process of a service member, veteran or family member.

Recent attention has been intensively focused on combat-related TBI, it should be noted that TBI is not uncommon even in garrison and can occur during usual daily activities. Service members enjoy exciting leisure activities: They ride motorcycles, climb mountains and parachute from planes for recreation. In addition, physical training is an integral part of the active duty service member's everyday life. These activities are expected for our service members and contribute to a positive quality of life; but these activities also can increase risk for TBI.

To learn more about how to protect yourself in non-combat daily life activities, check out our A Head for the Future initiative. You'll find TBI basics information, fact sheets to help guide you in protecting your head during sports and recreational activity, and read personal TBI recovery stories. 

Sign up for TBI Resources Update email for the latest in TBI information and resources for service members, veterans, and their caregivers and families.

Health care providers can make a significant difference in the life of someone with TBI by working to understand the strategies which are used to identify and treat a brain injury. Service members and veterans with TBI are a unique population because they may have experienced circumstances that further complicate their clinical picture. These circumstances include multiple deployments, prolonged periods of stress, chronic pain, and separation from family and friends.

Traumatic brain injury is a complex condition that can affect multiple aspects of physical, cognitive and behavioral functions. A wide range of medical specialties may be involved with the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of TBI patients, particularly in cases of severe TBI. These specialties can include, but are not limited to, audiology, ophthalmology, neurology, physical therapy, psychology, psychiatry, endocrinology, speech and language pathology and occupational therapy. Often, a multidisciplinary team is assembled to provide comprehensive care. In addition to specialty providers, primary care providers are integral in the identification and treatment of service members with TBI. Visit the Provider Resources and Provider Education pages for clinical recommendations, clinical support tools and provider education materials.

Sign up for our Providers' Brief email to get information on new and revised TBI clinical recommendations, educational tools, research trends, and other resources that help medical providers evaluate and treat those who have sustained a TBI.