Skip to main content

Military Health System

Test of Sitewide Banner

This is a test of the sitewide banner capability. In the case of an emergency, site visitors would be able to visit the news page for addition information.

Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps: “Ask for Help” for TBI

Image of Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps: “Ask for Help” for TBI. Concussions and TBIs are a significant health issue which affect service members and veterans during times of both peace and war. Between 2000-2023, there were a total of 468,424 first-time cases of TBI in the military worldwide, with just over 80% being considered mild TBI.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Troy Black recognizes that traumatic brain injuries can be a part of being in the military.

“There is no way to remove stress from combat. There is no way to remove concussions or TBI from combat,” said the 19th sergeant major of the Marine Corps on “Picking Your Brain,” a podcast from the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence.

Black joined U.S. Navy Capt. Scott Cota, branch chief of TBICoE, and moderator Amanda Gano on the podcast to raise awareness and educate service members about TBI and the resources available to recover from injuries.

The interview covered topics such as how service members should reach out if there’s an issue, and how warfighter brain health is a key factor in the Marines.

Concussions and TBIs are a significant health issue which affect service members and veterans during times of both peace and war. Between 2000-2023, there were a total of 468,424 first-time cases of TBI in the military worldwide, with just over 80% being considered mild TBI.

Warfighters May not Talk about TBI

As a Marine, Black has encountered numerous potentially concussive events and has “led by example by seeking care for his injuries,” said Cota.

Black noted he has lived through several concussive related events, and would have himself checked out if he felt something was wrong, but acknowledged not all service members do the same.

The group talked how about warfighters are often hesitant to seek help or talk about a possible TBI they may have suffered.

According to TBICoE, there are several reasons why a service member may be reluctant to seek help for a TBI, such as:

  • Stigma of weakness or unfitness for duty
  • Fear of judgment
  • Misconceptions about TBI
  • Perception of mental health issues
  • Cultural norms
  • Unrecognized TBI

“Stigma first starts with the individual,” said Black. “Ask for help. Be open with it. The invisible injuries are as important as the visible injuries.”

Black commented that there have always been concussive events in the military and on the battlefield throughout history, which has led to a better understanding of TBIs.

“In the last 20 years, we now have technology and [an] understanding of TBIs that are different now,” said Black. “The knowledge, the capability, the communities’ ability to understand the brain differently, has changed. But concussions have not.”

“What we have learned over time is that every time you are around an event, [TBIs] just culminate,” he added.

Black mentioned that TBI doesn't always occur after just one event; it is often this culmination of several events. These events do not always happen on the battlefield; they often happen at garrison during training.

“All the small events add up,” said Black. “All these things compound.”

Diagnosing TBI More Rapidly

Cota mentioned that things like triage tools, and more rapid decision making in the field are needed to diagnose TBI more efficiently and quickly.

“Our big thing on the MHS side is looking for resources to help with recovery to get you at your optimum level,” said Cota. “The resources throughout MHS and that we offer here at TBICoE, can assist with understanding TBI and how to recover from TBI.”

“So, it's just a matter of requesting that support, and they can easily do that across the spectrum,” Cota said.

MHS medics are also trained in the Military Acute Concussion Evaluation 2. MACE 2 was created to quickly evaluate a warfighter for a TBI, and is a standardized exam used to evaluate mild TBI, or concussion, in a combat or other deployed settings.

The Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metric has also been a game-changer, according to Black.

“Getting the baseline at pre deployment, then at post deployment–that was phenomenal,” said Black. “That is an advance. We must learn about how the brain works.”

Black also noted that sometimes being able to recognize TBI in yourself or others is important, even in stressful situations.

“The responsibility of the individual is to say, ‘Yeah, my bell's rung. I got to pull out of here for a minute until I can recover,’” said Black.

Common Symptoms of Possible TBIs

  • Confusion
  • Difficulty finding words
  • Difficulty making decisions
  • Memory loss
  • Poor concentration
  • Slowed thinking
  • Anxiety
  • Feeling depressed
  • Irritability
  • Mood Swings
  • Balance problems
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Ringing in Ears
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Blurred or double vision

Getting Diagnosed Improves Readiness

“Our job is to ensure someone can be in the fight. Not to find reasons to remove them from the fight,” said Black.

Setting an example is important for a Marine, Black noted.

“Know your Marines and look out for their welfare,” said Black. “When we communicate with each other, when we are open, we can help.”

Cota mentioned that a cultural shift is happening in the U.S. Marine Corps and has been “supportive with individuals getting assistance no matter what it is for.”

“We want to share knowledge and real experiences so that the warfighter understands that it is important to maintain cognitive capability as well as physical, mental and social capability,” said Cota.

“The acting, thinking, ready, capable, resourced and trained individuals in the military are the difference between success and failure in combat or warfare with any enemy,” said Black. “We train, we fight, we win. That’s what we do.”

TBICoE resources for providers can be found here and for service members and families here.

Listen to the entire episode of “Picking Your Brain” with Black on DVIDS.

You also may be interested in...

2022 TBICoE Annual Report

Report
3/21/2023

The Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence Annual Report provides an overview of accomplishments and activities in calendar year 2022.

TBICoE Research Review: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

Publication
3/17/2023

The purpose of this Research Review is to summarize current peer-reviewed scientific literature and expert assessment regarding the pathology, genetic pre-disposition, causes, clinical manifestations, and neuroimaging of chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Back to School: A Guide to Academic Success After Traumatic Brain Injury

Publication
3/16/2023

Back to School: A Guide to Academic Success After Traumatic Brain Injury is a free resource, developed by the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence that is tailored to help service members and veterans who have sustained a TBI and are pursuing higher education. Those who have sustained a TBI may face unique challenges, and this guide provides information and resources on how to navigate higher education while still prioritizing brain health care.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Frequently Asked Questions

Fact Sheet
3/15/2023

This fact sheet provides answers and information to commonly asked questions about chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.

INFORMATION PAPER: The Impact of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury on the Autonomic Nervous System

Publication
3/15/2023

The purpose of this information paper by TBICoE is to provide a general overview of the current evidence related to the impact of concussion/mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) on the autonomic nervous system (ANS). This paper will focus on heart rate variability (HRV), pupillary light reflex (PLR), and hyperhidrosis within the military and civilian populations.

Driving After Traumatic Brain Injury at Womack Army Medical Center

Article Around MHS
3/8/2023
The Womack Army Medical Center uses a rehabilitation vehicle that builds confidence for a service member, diligently working to regain independence in their life after a traumatic brain injury. (Photo by Sameria Zavala, Womack Army Medical Center)

Traumatic brain injuries can end military careers and create great strains on military families. That's why the occupational therapists at Womack Army Medical Center have created a therapy that most of us take for granted to get injured soldiers back on the road to recovery.

Optimizing Warfighter Brain Health and Performance

Video
2/21/2023
Optimizing Warfighter Brain Health and Performance

Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence research support cell chief, Dr. Stephanie Sloley, discusses her role in the organization and the importance of collaborative efforts in examining traumatic brain injuries. Dr. Sloley discusses the mission and vision of TBICoE and the importance of optimizing warfighter brain health and performance.

Brain Injury Awareness with the 19th Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps

Video
2/21/2023
Brain Injury Awareness with the 19th Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps

In this episode of Picking Your Brain, TBICoE Branch Chief, Capt. Scott Cota and clinical moderator Amanda Gano interview the 19th Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps, Sergeant Major Troy Black. The interview covers topics such as the DOD's Warfighter Brain Health Initiative, the commandant of the Marine Corps' Force Design 2030 efforts, and how warfighter brain health is a key factor in the human performance of Marines.

What You Should Know About Concussions Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet
2/13/2023

This fact sheet is designed to educate deployed service members about traumatic brain injuries immediately after concussion injury.

2000-2022 Q3 DOD Worldwide Numbers for TBI

Report
2/8/2023

TBICoE is the Defense Department’s office of responsibility for tracking traumatic brain injury data in the U.S. military. Here you’ll find data on the number of active-duty service members—anywhere U.S. forces are located—with a first-time TBI diagnosis from calendar year 2000 through the third quarter of 2022. The data is also broken down by each branch of the armed services.

2022 Q3 DOD Worldwide Numbers for TBI

Report
2/8/2023

TBICoE is the Defense Department’s office of responsibility for tracking traumatic brain injury data in the U.S. military. Here you’ll find data on the number of active-duty service members—anywhere U.S. forces are located—with a first-time TBI diagnosis in the calendar year 2022 through the third quarter. The data is also broken down by each branch of the armed services.

2021 DOD Worldwide Numbers for TBI

Report
2/8/2023

TBICoE is the Defense Department’s office of responsibility for tracking traumatic brain injury data in the U.S. military. Here you’ll find data on the number of active-duty service members—anywhere U.S. forces are located—with a first-time TBI diagnosis in 2021. The data is also broken down by each branch of the armed services.

FEB 2023 TBICoE Quarterly Education Series Flyer

Publication
2/8/2023

TBICoE Quarterly Education Series: TBI Across the Lifespan. Join TBICoE at this virtual event to explore clinical best practices for prevention, assessment, and treatment of mild TBI, also known as concussion, for military dependents. Download the flyer for details.

Brain Injury Awareness Month: Hearing and Vision 4

Infographic
2/7/2023
 Brain Injury Awareness: Head Injury? Seek medical help if you have these warning signs.

DYK? If you sustain a head injury, you could also have vision, balance, and hearing damage problems. See your health care provider right away. https://vce.health.mil https://hearing.health.mil #BIAMonth #TBI

Brain Injury Awareness Month: Treat

Infographic
2/7/2023
Treat: See your medical provider as soon as you experience a potentially concussive event. Learn to recognize and manage TBI symptoms.

#BeABrainWarrior – learn to recognize #TBI symptoms and don’t delay treatment. Find resources to #ProtectTreatOptimize your brain health. https://health.mil/BIAMonth #BIAMonth

Page 2 of 19 , showing items 16 - 30
First < 1 2 3 4 5  ... > Last 
Refine your search
Last Updated: May 26, 2023
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery