Need larger text?

Be a Brain Warrior: Protect. Treat. Optimize.

The Department of Defense leads in the treatment and research of brain-related injuries and is committed to identifying breakthroughs to improve the lives of individuals who have sustained brain injuries. DOD’s efforts address a holistic view at brain health and brain injuries—before, during, and after any blast exposure or other injury.

The DOD considers protecting, treating, and optimizing brain health a top priority.

Evergreen Brain Injury Awareness image

TBI, considered one of the signature wounds of war in the 21st century, presents complex and challenging problems for many of our service members.

More than 509,000 service members have sustained TBI since 2000, according to reports from the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence.

See below for TBI resources for health care providers, leaders, service members, veterans, families, and caregivers.

TBICoE Activities

No events to display.

Brain Injury Awareness Additional Information

You also may be interested in...

Video
Jan. 19, 2024

TBI Military Leadership Reel

TBI Military Leadership Reel

Military leaders are the first lines of defense to prevent, recognize, and aid the recovery of service members with TBI. This video highlights how leaders can prevent, recognize, and facilitate recovery, emphasizing the importance of early detection and medical assistance to ensure combat readiness.

Recommended Content TBI Resources for Military Leadership
Article
Jan. 11, 2024

How the U.S. Army Outfits Wounded Soldiers for Life After Recovery

Adaptive sports equipment, such as wheelchairs for rugby and basketball, are just a portion of the supply chain that soldiers in recovery use to thrive into their future as they overcome a wound, injury, or illness. (Photo by Mary Therese Griffin/Army Recovery Care Program)

There are many moving parts to the Army Recovery Care Program, not the least of which is adaptive reconditioning. This includes equipment and logistics for soldiers who want to recover and overcome their wounds, injury, or illness. “Part of our job is to help coaches, logistics folks, etc., work together to ensure our units and soldiers have the best ...

Recommended Content Warrior Care
Fact Sheet
Jan. 9, 2024

Hearing Protector Fit-Testing Requirement in the Department of Defense

.PDF | 331.11 KB

Significant updates to the Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 6055.12 “Hearing Conservation Program” are expected to be published in April 2023. The significant change is a new requirement for initial hearing protector fit-testing to be conducted for all DOD personnel who have documented noise exposure greater than or equal to 95 dBA 8-hour time ...

Recommended Content Hearing Center of Excellence Public Health
Article
Dec. 15, 2023

Department of Defense Taking Action with Warfighter Brain Health Initiative

"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 ...

Recommended Content Warfighter Brain Health Hub Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence
Fact Sheet
Dec. 14, 2023

PTSD and Other Stress-Related Disorders Following Concussion/Mild TBI Fact Sheet

.PDF | 542.68 KB

Co-occurring concussion and stress-related disorders, including PTSD, are common among service members. This fact sheet defines concussion, also known as mild traumatic brain injury, and provides an overview of common stress-related disorders, the overlapping symptoms, and how to manage those symptoms.

Recommended Content Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence TBI Resources for Service Members, Families, and Caregivers Be a Brain Warrior: Protect. Treat. Optimize. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder MHS Mental Health Hub Warfighter Brain Health Hub
Fact Sheet
Dec. 13, 2023

Low-Level Blast: VA Provider Fact Sheet

.PDF | 820.18 KB

This fact sheet was developed specifically for VA medical providers. Low-level blast is defined as blast generated from firing heavy weapon systems or explosives in combat or training environments. Exposure to low-level blast does not typically result in a clinically diagnosable concussion, also known as mild traumatic brain injury.

Recommended Content Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence Blast Overpressure Exposure and TBI TBI Resources for Military Leadership Warfighter Brain Health Hub TBICoE Research
Publication
Nov. 29, 2023

TBICoE's Low-Level Blast Research Efforts Infographic

.PDF | 2.12 MB

This infographic illustrates TBICoE's work to better understand how low-level blast influences warfighter brain health. These efforts directly support Line of Effort 2 of the Warfighter Brain Health Initiative.

Recommended Content Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence Blast Overpressure Exposure and TBI TBI Resources for Military Leadership TBI Resources for Medical Providers Be a Brain Warrior: Protect. Treat. Optimize.
Infographic
Nov. 29, 2023

TBICoE's Low-Level Blast Research Infographic

What is TBICoE doing to help warfighters exposed to low-level blast? Leading the charge: 1. Collaborated on Military weapons training studies and Epidemiology studies 2. Led health and performance efforts in support of the Section 734 Program Advancing the science: 1. Measured LLB exposure effects on performance 2. Provided recommendations on LLB surveillance 3. Advanced DOD’s understanding of LLB health and performance effects Answering the call: 1. Outlined next steps for LLB research 2. Helped to develop guidance for managing brain health risk from blast overexposure 3. Recommended the development of a tool to capture career blast exposure These efforts are in support of the Warfighter Brain Health Initiative LLB Relevant Aims 1. Understand the known and emerging threats and hazards to brain health 2. Monitor warfighters for brain exposures 3. Reduce risk of brain exposures that may negatively impact brain health

This infographic illustrates TBICoE's research activity on understanding how low-level blast influences warfighter brain health. This work directly supports Line of Effort 2 of the Warfighter Brain Health Initiative. Learn more about low-level blast exposure and TBI at health.mil/LLB.

Recommended Content Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence Blast Overpressure Exposure and TBI TBICoE Research TBI Resources for Military Leadership TBI Resources for Medical Providers Be a Brain Warrior: Protect. Treat. Optimize.