Warfighter Brain Health Hub

Protecting the Mind and Powering Mission Success

Clear thinking and rapid decision-making are vital for mission success. In high-stakes environments, split-second decisions protect lives and accomplish the mission.

The Warfighter Brain Health Initiative works to protect service members from preventable injuries, provides guidance for fast and effective care, and helps medical care teams verify every warfighter performs at their best.

What the Brain Health Initiative Does

We work across the Military Health System to monitor, protect, and restore brain health through every stage of military service.

  • Prevent and Protect: Identify risks early and reduce exposures to operational hazards, like blast overpressure.
  • Monitor Baseline Health: Conduct regular cognitive checkups to catch changes in brain function early.
  • Detect and Treat Injuries: Quickly diagnose concussions and traumatic brain injuries to speed recovery.
  • Support Long-Term Care: Connect warfighters with specialized rehabilitation that helps address physical and mental complications
  • Drive Groundbreaking Research: Study brain health to develop better protective gear, safety guidelines, and clinical treatments

Supporting warfighter brain health and performance helps medical teams catch issues early, keeping service members ready, resilient, and mission capable of maximizing Joint Force superiority and lethality in all operating environments.

Guidance for the Force

You also may be interested in...

Video
Aug. 17, 2026

How post-traumatic stress disorder influences traumatic brain injury recovery

Talking PTSD and TBI Recovery with TBICoE

A 15-year study by the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence found that PTSD can significantly influence neurobehavioral outcomes after a TBI, regardless of injury severity. Understanding whether symptoms are linked to TBI, PTSD or both helps clinicians tailor care to the individual, supporting recovery, medical readiness, and a safe return to duty.

Video
May 19, 2025

Transforming TBI Detection

Transforming TBI Detection

Experts from the National Museum of Health and Medicine and the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence participate in a brain injury awareness Science Café, discussing the latest advancements in TBI diagnostic devices and their impact on clinical decision-making. Topics in the speaker series include FDA-cleared diagnostic tools, military-specific ...

Video
Oct. 15, 2024

Talking Blast Exposure Impact With TBICoE

Talking Blast Exposure Impact With TBICoE

Can blast exposure impact the brain? TBICoE's Branch Chief, Dr. Katie Stout, explains. While some service members may experience blast exposure without an immediate diagnosable injury, there may still be effects on the brain. TBICoE is advancing blast exposure research to help assess risk and protect service members. To learn more, visit health.mil ...

Video
July 23, 2024

Military Leaders: Prevent, Recognize and Treat Brain Injuries

Warfighter Brain Health for Leaders Training Video

The Warfighter Brain Health for Leaders Training video is an essential resource for enhancing the Department of Defense's Warfighter Brain Health Initiative. It empowers military leaders with strategies for preventing, protecting against, and managing brain injuries. Additionally, the video enhances leaders' abilities to assess and recognize symptoms ...

Video
March 28, 2024

Headaches and TBI: A Journey of Treatment Over Time

Headaches and TBI: A Journey of Treatment Over Time

Dr. Joanne Gold, a pharmacist and neuroscience clinician with TBICoE, and experts from the National Museum of Health and Medicine discuss the treatment of headaches, past and present. Their conversation explores the museum's collections related to TBI and headache treatment, discusses ways to improve headache treatment, and highlights relevant TBICoE ...

Video
Jan. 31, 2024

Be a Brain Warrior: Protect. Treat. Optimize.

Be a Brain Warrior: Protect. Treat. Optimize.

The Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence is championing the theme 'Be a Brain Warrior: Protect, Treat, Optimize' during Brain Injury Awareness Month. The theme showcases the idea that service members, veterans, healthcare providers, caregivers, family members, and advocates can be warriors for brain health. Visit health.mil/BIAMonth to learn more.

Video
Jan. 29, 2024

TBI Testimonials: Roxana Delgado & Victor Medina

TBI Testimonials: Roxana Delgado & Victor Medina

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 ...

Video
Jan. 24, 2024

From Patient to Provider: One Sailor's Brain Health Journey

From Patient to Provider: One Sailor's Brain Health Journey

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 ...

Video
Jan. 19, 2024

What Steps Should A Military Leader Take After A Potentially Concussive Event?

What Steps Should A Military Leader Take After A Potentially Concussive Event?

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.