U.S. Marine Corps veteran Micah Norgard spent 12 years as an infantryman, serving in a variety of roles and locations. But his biggest battle was in recognizing the cumulative effects of 21 potentially concussive event exposures and multiple undiagnosed traumatic brain injuries. In this video, Norgard discusses how after he left the military, he ...

Army veteran Beth King was on a routine mission when her helicopter was struck by an RPG, ultimately resulting in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In this video, Beth shares the impact of her TBI and how she discovered her new passion along the way. Visit health.mil/brainhealth to learn about resources to prevent, recognize and recover from brain ...

While he was deployed, retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Victor Medina was in a vehicle that was hit by an explosive device. He sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that severely impaired some of his physical functions and ability to speak. Medina’s wife, Roxana Delgado, continued her pursuit of a Ph.D. in health sciences and became his caregiver. As ...

Dalton was on his way to his biggest challenge in his military career: Army Ranger School. He had been training for several months, running 20 miles per week, and working out three times a day. As he was setting up a TV in his room, he had a seizure and fell, hitting his head on the side of his bed — resulting in a concussion, or a mild traumatic ...

Timothy Bleigh clearly recalls when the bomb went off. The Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) tactical vehicle he was in with five Marines flipped several times through the air before it landed partly on its roof. He was near the end of his first tour in Afghanistan, assigned to a Marine personal security detachment, when the improvised explosive ...

Last year, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness signed policy implementing within the Defense Department and across the military services the requirements laid out under the Brandon Act. 

Service members who sustain a concussion may have many symptoms that impact combat readiness. This video explores the various concussion symptoms in service members and their effect on combat effectiveness and readiness.

Military leadership has a responsibility to promote warfighter brain health among service members. That means prompt reporting of potentially concussive events and ensuring service members with TBI get medical attention. This video covers the steps leaders should take after a potential concussion.

This video provides an overview of how the Department of Defense identifies and classifies TBI. It highlights the three indicators of TBI and how they can impact consciousness and memory in the warfighter.

What Happens to the Brain After a TBI? This video explores the effects of concussion on a warfighter's brain, commonly caused by falls, sports, or car accidents. It emphasizes the importance of prevention through protective measures like helmets, seatbelts, and safe training practices, which are essential for maintaining brain health.

After a TBI, a service member’s nerve cells in the brain may no longer be able to send messages to each other the way they used to. This video explains the various symptoms of TBI, including physical, cognitive, and mood changes.

The Military Health System remained committed to warfighter brain health in 2023, spearheading advancements in training, technology, and care.

"A top priority for the DOD is taking care of our people,” said Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. “This priority includes promoting brain health and countering traumatic brain injury in all its forms. As the military community’s understanding of brain health has evolved over the years, the Department’s ...