May 24, 2018
Heavy weapons may be damaging troops’ brains
As brain injuries in the NFL gain more attention, the brains of service members are under more scrutiny.
That scrutiny led to the discovery that shoulder mounted heavy weapons may be causing head trauma to troops during training.
“What we now know after doing a lot of research and based on a lot of science is some service members suffer from short term cognitive deficits from heavy weapons usage shot during training exercises,” said Lauren Fish, a research associate at the Center for a New American Security. “While these symptoms dissipate after about 96 hours, we don’t yet know the long term effects.”
The potential for brain injury from frequently used weapons like Carl Gustaf recoilless rifles is making the Defense Department rethink how it protects the brains of its troops.
There is currently no requirement to protect troops’ from blast waves even though primary blast pressure waves are mechanisms for brain injury.
CNAS made a number of recommendations on how DoD can protect troops’ heads during training.
One suggestion is to create a log of blasts troops are exposed to in order to track pressure to the brain.
The log would give troops something to show the Veterans Affairs Agency when they leave the military to prove any health issues caused by the blasts.
Listen to the Interview and More from Federal News Radio
More from CNAS
-
Experts Make Their Picks for Acquisition Reform Litmus Tests
Commentary
If the department cannot pass these easy tests, there is little reason to believe it will do well on the harder ones....
By Stacie Pettyjohn
-
Trump Rues State of Iran Talks, Says Prefer Not to Strike
Video
President Donald Trump expressed displeasure with the current state of negotiations with Iran but stopped short of threatening fresh military action in the nine-week conflict ...
By Becca Wasser
-
Leveraging the Defense Innovation Ecosystem for Maximum Effect
Commentary
Introduction At a moment when the resilience of the wartime acquisition system is a national priority, start-ups, primes, investors, and the U.S. government must align to turn...
By Aaron Peterman & Sohaila Mali
-
Markets React as Trump Orders Military Action in Hormuz
Video
President Trump orders the U.S. military to target any boat laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions with Iran and sending oil prices sharply higher. Bloomber...
By Becca Wasser
