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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 protectingtreating, 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.

Protecting Brain Health

DOD promotes and protects the health and well-being of our nation's armed forces, dedicating significant resources to close gaps in knowledge about TBI. The Warfighter Brain Health Initiative, launched in 2022, brings together multiple resources across the department to optimize brain health. The plan combats TBI by addressing multiple concerns such as blast exposures, repetitive head impacts, and TBI’s long-term effects.

Symptoms of a TBI may reappear or worsen if military training and sports or recreational activities are resumed too quickly. If you are in a leadership role, understanding what to expect and what your responsibilities are will help ensure readiness for your service members. Know how to prevent injury, actively understand and encourage the importance of seeking care, and follow proper care guidance for a medically ready force.

Service members, veterans, families, and caregivers can all Be a Brain Warrior by learning how most TBIs are sustained, how to protect themselves, and how to manage symptoms should a TBI occur.

Treating Brain Health

Most people who sustain a mild TBI (also known as concussion) recover completely. Health care providers can Be a Brain Warrior by using the latest clinical tools to treat patients and improve outcomes, keeping up with the latest research, and following the Acute Concussion Care Pathway.

Be a Brain Warrior by seeking treatment for head injuries; most people recover from concussion. Know the signs and symptoms.

Optimizing Brain Health

Staying up-to-date on clinical tools, the latest research, and training and education by TBICoE educators are ways a military health care provider can Be a Brain Warrior.

Patients, their families, and caregivers can optimize brain health and overall health and Be a Brain Warrior by seeking medical care and maintaining stability through recovery with caregiver support. Check out TBICoE’s Patient and Family Resources page for TBI fact sheets, family and caregiver guides, and other patient resources.

More Events

Visit the National Museum of Health and Medicine for Brain Awareness Day.

Brain Awareness Day Saturday, March 15, 10 a.m. to noon at the National Museum of Health and Medicine

Download the flyer for details about the National Intrepid Center of Excellence events.

Page one of the downloadable PDF flyer listing the National Intrepid Center of Excellence's 2025 brain injury awareness events.

Join the NMHM and TBICoE for a Virtual Science Cafe.

Join NMHM and subject matter experts from TBICoE as we discuss the latest advances in TBI diagnostic devices and their impact of clinical decision-making. Attendees will be guided through topics such as FDA-cleared diagnostic tools, military-specific considerations, and future innovations in TBI care.

When: Friday, March 28, 2025, 11 a.m.
Where: Virtual @MedicalMuseum on Facebook
Cost: FREE! Open to everyone.

For more information, visit the NMHM event page on their website.

Graphic promoting the virtual science cafe event hosted by the National Museum of Health and Medicine and the Traumatic Brian Injury Center of Excellence. The topic is on Transforming TBI Detection and will occur online on Friday, March 28 at 11 a.m. ET on the museums Facebook page, @MedicalMuseum.

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Nov 22, 2023

Instruction: #6055.12, Hearing Conservation Program

This issuance implements policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures for administering a hearing conservation program to prevent hearing loss resulting from occupational and operational illness and injury; establishes the DoD Hearing Conservation Working Group; and, Issues requirements for the integration of noise control into the life ...

  • Identification #: 6055.12
  • Type: Instruction
Policy
Feb 24, 2023

Manual: #DODM 1332.18, Volume 1, Disability Evaluation System Manual: General Information and Legacy Disability Evaluation System Time Standards

This manual is composed of several volumes, each containing its own purpose. The purpose of the overall manual, in accordance with the authority in DOD Directive 5124.02 (Reference (a)), is to implement policy, assign responsibilities, and provide procedures for the DES pursuant to DOD Instruction 1332.18 (Reference (b)).

  • Identification #: DODM 1332.18, Volume 1
  • Type: Manual
Policy
Nov 10, 2022

Instruction: #DODI 1332.18, Disability Evaluation System

This instruction establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures for referral, evaluation, return to duty, separation, or retirement of Service members for disability.

  • Identification #: DODI 1332.18
  • Type: Instruction
Policy
Nov 9, 2021

Memorandum: Warrior Care Month Recognition

.PDF | 102.23 KB

Join me in recognizing Warrior Care Month, an important Department-wide effort to increase awareness of programs and resources available to wounded, ill, and injured Service members, as well as their families, caregivers, and others who support them. Established in 2008, the annual Warrior Care Month recognition occurs each November. The theme of this ...

  • Identification #: N/A
  • Type: Memorandum
Policy
Oct 25, 2019

Memorandum: Warrior Care Month Recognition

.PDF | 275.59 KB

This memorandum from Mr. Thomas McCaffery, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, officially recognizes November as Warrior Care Month, an important Department of Defense-wide effort to increase awareness of programs and resources available to wounded, ill, and injured Service members, as well as their families, caregivers, and others ...

  • Identification #: N/A
  • Type: Memorandum
Policy
Sep 11, 2015

Instruction: #DODI 6490.13, Comprehensive Policy on Traumatic Brain Injury-Related Neurocognitive Assessments by the Military Services

This instruction establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes standard elements, pursuant to section 722 of Public Law 111-383, requiring the implementation of a comprehensive neurocognitive assessment policy in the military services.

  • Identification #: DODI 6490.13
  • Type: Instruction
Policy
Apr 9, 2013

Instruction: #DODI 6025.20, Medical Management Programs in the Direct Care System and Remote Areas

Establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes uniform guidelines, procedures, and standards for the implementation of clinical case management (CM) in the Military Health System (MHS), for TRICARE beneficiaries including care of the wounded, ill, and injured (WII) in accordance with the authority in Reference (b) and DODI 1300.24 ...

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Policy
Sep 18, 2012

Instruction: #DODI 6490.11, DOD Policy Guidance for Management of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion in the Deployed Setting

This instruction establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures on the management of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), also known as concussion, in the deployed setting.

  • Identification #: DODI 6490.11
  • Type: Instruction
Policy
May 11, 2011

Instruction: DCoE Clinical Recommendations Post Injury NCAT

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In accordance with Section 1673 of the NDAA HR 4986, signed into law in January of 2008, the Secretary of Defense was instructed to establish a protocol for the pre-deployment assessment and documentation of the cognitive functioning of Service Members deployed outside the United States. In advance of definitive evidence of superiority for any single ...

  • Identification #: N/A
  • Type: Instruction
Policy
Dec 1, 2009

Instruction: #DODI 1300.24, Recovery Coordination Program

This instruction establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes uniform guidelines, procedures, and standards for improvements to the care, management, and transition of recovering Service members (RSMs) across the Military Departments.

  • Identification #: DODI 1300.24
  • Type: Instruction
Policy
Mar 8, 2007

Memorandum: Traumatic Brain Injury Questions for the Post Deployment Health Assessment

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This memo mandates that effective June 1, 2007, the DD Form 2796 addendum or electronic equivalent will be used as a part of the PDHA and the PDHRA for all service members returning from deployments, and the PHA for all service members, and will be captured electronically.

  • Identification #: N/A
  • Type: Memorandum
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Last Updated: March 13, 2025
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