Operation Helmet: "Skin in the Game"
Submitted by Troops and Vets on August 8, 2006 - 12:08pm.
Troops & Vets | Veterans & Military
Operation Helmet
The Troops & Vets team is working on a series about the significant injuries our troops are sustaining in Iraq and the long road to recovery and rehabilitation they face on their return home. We'll be introducing some of the troops and their families over the course of the series. We'll also highlight some of the organizations and individuals who are giving time and resources to help.
One of those organizations is Operation Helmet, about which Ice posted on Memorial Day. I think several of us were especially touched by this effort because it's such a practical and meaningful way to help the troops. We were so impressed, in fact, that we thought it deserved to be featured again.
In the course of our research for the series, we found an essay written by the sister of a Marine about her efforts on behalf of Operation Helmet. We felt that it was important to present her story first because we'd like to have fewer stories to tell in the future about severely injured troops. The team has corresponded with Dr. Stallings, and she's encouraged us to share her story wherever we can, so we're posting it here in its entirety.
Skin in the Game
Beyond Yellow Ribbons
Since my brother Chris was deployed last semester, I’ve learned much about being part of a military family. Most significantly, I’ve grown to understand that the war is always with you; you’re always aware, as the military says, that you have skin in the game.
Simply put: it’s consuming. I find myself watching the news with such urgency or repeatedly looking over Chris’s consistently benign e-mails. There’s just this hope that by being diligent, you’ll hit upon some small reassurance that he’ll be OK and come home whole. But, sadly, this search only yields an overwhelming sense of helplessness, a loss of agency that I suspect many of us share. Regardless of political ideologies, feelings about the war or direct links to deployed military members, it seems people would like, in a real, tangible way, to “support the troops.” The problem is how?
For me, this answer came in an unexpected fashion. I kept hearing about fatal or life-altering head wounds: something like 59 percent of troops who survive an improvised explosive device, or IED, attack suffer traumatic brain injury, most commonly from the enormous concussive effects of the blast. Fortunately, before Chris left, I also heard Capt. Bob Meaders, M.D. (U.S. Navy, Ret.), speak about a retrofit for helmets that can drastically, drastically reduce these numbers.
This is a battle of bombs, not bullets; so, for me, there was no way my brother was deploying without one. Immediately, I e-mailed Dr. Meaders, and a helmet insert was shipped that day. Chris confirmed he received it, thanked me (commenting on the increased comfort level of the helmet), and that was it.
I didn’t think much about it until a few months later when talking with my father; he asked me in an unusually quiet, still voice whether I thought Chris was using the insert. His angst in anticipating my answer had actually robbed him of normal inflection. Certainly, this $70 helmet retrofit was helping more than Chris get through the deployment.
In retrospect, that discovery seems so odd. Of course I realized my parents appreciated and were thankful for the upgrade. I knew that. But I had not internalized the depth of their feelings, nor did I understand that in their minds, knowing Chris had this piece of equipment somehow tipped the scale in favor of his safe return—that now, along with his good judgment and strong training, he had one more thing going for him. At that point, I decided to find a way to help give this same much-needed hope to the parents of Chris’s 35 men. Their children, too, needed this safeguard.
So the fund-raising began, starting with a series of mass e-mails that explained how
Capt. Meaders is working to provide ALL military deployed (Iraq and Afghanistan) the inserts for free, but that takes fund-raising, and consequently there’s a backlog (more requests than money)…. The inserts cost $70, not an insurmountable sum…. What I’m asking you to do is visit www.operationhelmet.org. Capt. Meaders has material about the actual product, the military’s approved use, tax information, etc. You will find him compelling.
I solicited everyone I knew, everyone my parents knew, even my friends’ parents and their friends, moving then to letters to editors and calls to representatives. Casual remarks of interest were always followed with a presumptive, “Make the check out to Operation Helmet” or “I’ll be glad to come back after payday.” And it worked. People were generous, both in their personal contributions and in passing along the word. When we got close to the target amount, Dr. Meaders mailed Chris 35 inserts, which were delivered to him far away, in the desert.
Later, sitting in an Internet café in a land where the native Texan has said that the 90-degree nightlows now make him cold, Chris wrote the following, which unintentionally inspired a campaign to retrofit the entire company.
We just got the inserts late last night in the mail….but when i got my platoon together and i explained the whole thing to them from dr. meador (that was his name right) being a passionate advocate of these things, and then how you heard about them and wanted to make sure every marine in my platoon had them and then all the benefits they provide (from concussions to stopping bullets from bouncing around inside the helmet) the marines were in a kind of shock that someone they didn’t know would go so far out of their way to provide something for them.
They knew they weren’t cheap and they started doing the math in their heads and figuring the numbers out. they were totally amazed. they were so thankful. marines are wonderful, in that they will always do what they are told, and they will do it, tired, hungry, sleepy, moody, wet, miserable, in pain, and everything else. and they will usually get it done with far less than any other military branch out there. marines are born to fight and get the mission done with less and do whatever it takes to make sure it happens with the proper outcome. so when they found out you were out there running around raising money for them to get inserts they could have gone without, but having just helps them and provides them with that much more comfort, ree, you should have seen how thankful they were. it was truly awesome, and in a way that cookies and magazines and candy (though appreciated) will never be because those things will not actually go out and help them accomplish their mission. and you and your efforts made it that much easier for 35 marines….
ree, you are truly awesome, and should be proud of this. you made 35 (36 including me) grunt marines extremely happy and we each owe it to you and those who helped you and those who do similar kind things to keep going…
As you can see, with the help of many giving friends and strangers, this is how I have been spending my summer: raising funds and awareness— basically, trying to put the war at the forefront in our minds again. This is a difficult challenge as the time frame seems to stretch. But the people over there, on the ground, in the heat, away from their loved ones, are all our brothers, sisters and children. We all have skin in the game.
If you too would like to order a helmet retrofit for a family member or friend, visit Meaders’s Web site, www.operationhelmet.org. Donations to the troops in general are welcome, and remember your gift doesn’t have to be grand. Every single dollar helps. At the site, you can view Meaders’s recent interview on “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” which provides a succinct description of the program.
You can also talk to me. I know this may seem a bit strange, privately having to equip the military, but that’s the reality of this war. Again, I am asking that we put politics aside in this case and simply support the troops.
Dr. Hilary Stallings is assistant to the dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Her brother, 2nd Lt. Chris Frey, is serving with the U.S. Marines in the Middle East.
How you can help
Operation Helmet is a nonpartisan, charitable grass-roots effort that provides helmet upgrade kits free of charge to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. These helmet upgrade kits consist of shock-absorbing pads and a new strap system.
Operation Helmet depends on tax-deductible donations. For $75 to $100, depending on the manufacturer, added safety and comfort can be provided for a soldier, but donations of any amount are welcome. The donation can be designated for a specific branch of the military, a particular unit or an individual trooper.
Dr. Bob Meaders, a Vietnam veteran, began the Houston, Texas-based Operation Helmet in 2003 when his Marine Corps grandson requested upgrade kits to make his unit’s helmets safer in combat. To date, Operation Helmet has sent upgrade kits to more than 19,885 troops.
One hundred percent of all donations go toward helmet kits. There are no administrative costs deducted. For more information, visit www.operationhelmet.org.
Note: Story originally published in the July 3, 2006 issue of The Record, Middle Tennessee State University.
Here's a local television news report about Dr. Stallings' efforts on behalf of Operation Helmet:
Interview with Lou Dobbs, CNN, 18 May 2006 (Video MPG Low Quality 1MB)
Video Demonstration of the Helmet Upgrade Kit by Mike Dennis of OregonAer
I've just posted on PTSD Combat asking folks to come on over and learn about the inspiring and important work being done by Dr. Stallings, Operation Helmet, and CCN on this issue.
Passing it on via a few other online channels today to spread the word. A snippet:
The Human and Financial Costs
So, why is preventing TBI important to all of us -- and not just the individual soldier or Marine who comes home with it? Although the human cost is obvious and by far gives reason enough to do what we can to prevent such violent and life-changing injuries, there are financial considerations as well for every American taxpayer.
From a Jan. 2006 paper, The Economic Costs of the Iraq War: An Appraisal Three Years After the Beginning of Conflict [pdf] by Linda Bilmes and Nobel Prize-winning economist Prof. Joseph E. Stiglitz:
"There is a special category of health care expenditures that go beyond those included in the above calculation -- for those with brain injuries. To date, 3213 people - 20% of those injured in Iraq - have suffered head/brain injuries that require lifetime continual care at a cost of $600,000 to $5 million. The government will be required to commit resources through intensive care facilities, round-the-clock home or institutional care, rehabilitation and assisted living for these veterans.
For the conservative estimate, we have used a midpoint estimate of a net present value of $2.7 million over a 20 year expected survival rate for this group, which is about $135,000 per year, yielding a cost of $14 billion. This amount seems low for brain-injured individuals who will require round-the-clock care in feeding, dressing and daily functioning. For the moderate estimate, we use a higher cost estimate ($4m) and assume a longer life duration for a total cost of $35 billion. In both cases we assume that the number injured will rise in a manner consistent with the duration of the conflict."
Looking forward to the rest in the series, CCN. Important work...
Blogging on PTSD Combat
a regular one-woman travelling PR campaign!
And thanks Troops & Vets team, and Carol especially for this moving and important entry to kick off the new official series launch.
When you can do good....
Great work all.
I posted on the Kos today about what the Brits have found on PTSD. I will post about how PTSD RAISES HEART DISEASE TOMAR. Now to the subject of Brain Injury the bill to cut 50% of the funding passed today in the Senate. As a Combat vet I will say this when you send a person into battle you better take care of them when they come home.We now have 33% of all the homeless as veterans. With all the cuts Bush and company have done that number will double. Cutting programs and research is not how to support the troops or veterans.
Glad you've come over, too. I think we've found ourselves a nice new home with many like-minded and energetic individuals. Will look for your next diary coming out...
Blogging on PTSD Combat
This is so important because it gives all of us a way to help. I'm forwarding the link to this blog to everyone on my list and will ask them to keep it going, as well.
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
bringing this issue to more attention.
now, if only our sorry MSM would do their job.
It's so sad that this isn't standard issue to every soldier.
But it also makes me angry. I've cross-posted this (mostly just a link to it) on Massa's site. I hope many people are inspired by this story to "buy" a helmet for someone.
me too, I'm just spittin' mad that these inserts are not standard-issue for all of our troops! ( tax breaks for the wealthy are just so imperative, aren't they? )
But I know a small service club here in NoCal that will take this on as a project...
information forwarded.
What would you do for a Klondike Bar?
For helping to get the word out about Operation Helmet.
Many people don't know because she's quiet about her efforts - but this is Cher's main cause and she's done tremendous things for the organization and the troops.
So hats off to Cher!
Jonathan Shays, author, psychiatrist, and scholar, has has some interesting observations about something called 'themis' (i.e. 'what's right'). He explains that not doing right by our troops in 3 key areas has a direct connection to how well they will feel about their experience of war.
Betray any of the following three areas, and you open the vet up to a heck of a lot of psychic (and obviously physical) pain to process:
- Appropriate training and equipment
- Unit cohesion
- Competent, ethical, properly supported leadership
In Preventing Psychological and Moral Injury in Military Service, Shay says:
Military psychiatrists have been telling us at least since World War I that these three things can prevent some (not all) of the life-long symptoms that can follow prolonged heavy combat. I want to add to this my belief that they can prevent, perhaps absolutely, the damage to good character that wrecks veterans lives, that destroys their families, that disrupts their workplaces, and in the extreme, that threatens democratic institutions. So the ethical, leadership, and policy concepts described here are win-win for the services, for service members, and for the nation.
It's our ethical duty to make sure that our troops are provided these three safeguards to ensure they have the best opportunity to deal with the stress of war. Unfortunately, I worry for our troops when we continue to hear of the equipment failures, among so many others. Sigh.
Blogging on PTSD Combat
Thanks for this info also....
I agree with you that this is our ethical duty...I also share your worry. :(
"The mark of leadership is not to standup when everybody is standing, but rather to actually stand up when no one else is standing" - Pulitzer Prize winning author Samantha Power, introducing Gen Clark
by Ilona (our new team member) here at EPluribus Media:
http://scoop.epluribusmedia.org/story/2006/8/8/15479/79029
Go take a look!
When news of this was first posted by Ice in May, I was shocked by what I read, and immediately sent the information to many in order to help gather more donations.
Thanks to the Vets & Troops team for keeping this project out in the light so that more of our men and women in harm's way will get the equipment that they need.
Great job everyone!
Proud to be an American.
The Marines have agreed to 'approve' requests for helmet upgrades by units...but don't provide funds for the actual purchase. The only kit the Marines have 'approved' is one by Team Wendy, a newcomer in the field, and the DLA (purchasing arm of DOD) is so backlogged that no one currently in Iraq will get the upgrade before their tour is over!
And there's over 200,000 helmet upgrade kits sitting in the warehouse at Oregon Aero, the pad sets described by Natick Soldier Lab as the 'gold standard' of pad suspensions. They are literally available overnight.
I'm asking Congressman Curt Weldon to hold a follow-up hearing (Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces) and kick some serious butt.
In the meantime, please join Hilary and us (and Cher) in providing this critical protective upgrade to our troops' helmets. Where else can you save a life and future for under a hundred bucks? If these warriors are willing to fight to protect our American way of life and possibly wind up disabled or dead, we owe it to them to provide every ounce of tried and tested protection money can buy!
Climbing down from my Soapbox now.
Doctor Bob, Operation Helmet...and Cher's having an auction at Sotheby's with a portion of the income going for the purchase of more helmet upgrades with us.
This is one of the most meaningful ways I've seen to support our troops.
My form and check will be in the mail tonight!
carol4clark
General Wes Clark * * * * 4 Stars Over Texas
I love these types of stories. As maddening as the reality is, I find hope when I hear of so many working to do right by our veterans. It's an honor to help spread the word on your organization. I hope you've received a few donations as a result today (my personal check coming to you, too).
Currently I'm finishing up the final manuscript for Moving a Nation to Care: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and America's Returning Troops. Set to publish in April 2007, I'll be honored to include the Operation Helmet story and contact information.
To doing right by our troops,
Ilona Meagher
Editor, PTSD Combat: Winning the War Within
Blogging on PTSD Combat
That's a fine soapbox you've got there, Dr. Bob....
Thanks for all you are doing...and thanks to the Troops and Vets team for highlighting this effort...
My donation will be coming momentarily.
"The mark of leadership is not to standup when everybody is standing, but rather to actually stand up when no one else is standing" - Pulitzer Prize winning author Samantha Power, introducing Gen Clark
Unbelievable!
Congress appears ready to slash funding for the research and treatment of brain injuries caused by bomb blasts, an injury that military scientists describe as a signature wound of the Iraq war.
Proponents of increased funding say they are shocked to see cuts in the treatment of bomb blast injuries in the midst of a war.
"I find it basically unpardonable that Congress is not going to provide funds to take care of our soldiers and sailors who put their lives on the line for their country," says Martin Foil, a member of the center's board of directors. "It blows my imagination."
The Brain Injury Center, devoted to treating and understanding war-related brain injuries, has received more money each year of the war — from $6.5 million in fiscal 2001 to $14 million last year. Spokespersons for the appropriations committees in both chambers say cuts were due to a tight budget this year.
"Honestly, they would have loved to have funded it, but there were just so many priorities," says Jenny Manley, spokeswoman for the Senate Appropriations Committee. "They didn't have any flexibility in such a tight fiscal year."
Other priorities??? Like cutting the estate tax???
What could be a higher priority than taking care of the troops whose lives have been catastrophically affected by this war????
carol4clark
General Wes Clark * * * * 4 Stars Over Texas
All right. Now I'm really mad. I'm going to make some calls tomorrow on this to see what we can do. They cannot be allowed to slash this funding. Just as outraged as you are.
Blogging on PTSD Combat
research/rehab for soldiers. Alexander Luria was a pioneer in the field of B.I.T. research, although Stalin's purpose was to get troops back in the field as soon as possible. I recall commenting on this on the General's 2005 speech on Normandy. Great work, I am really proud of my fellow Clarkies.
http://www.answers.com/topic/alexander-luria
"Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants."
Gen. Omar Bradley
Here's a link to Ilona's detailed analysis of this issue, along with a list of action steps:
A Military Bled Dry: The Budget Shortfall Crisis
carol4clark
General Wes Clark * * * * 4 Stars Over Texas
Was exhausted last night; saw your post on the USA Today piece and was incensed, and thought I'd write it up before going to bed. Which turned out to be this morning.
People are still very, very consumed with the CT race, and unfortunatley the Daily Kos version didn't make it on the Rec List. The ePluribus Media version is on the front page, however. ePluribus Media has been the front-runner of all communities out there supporting my PTSD work since last year.
I've heard back from Steve Robinson at Veterans for America, and they are working hard on this right now, too. He couldn't give me specific info, he is so swamped; but, they're preparing to pushback on this, too.
Hear and see Steve in the latest VFA Legislation Update (must know info). VFA is working on collecting vet information for an upcoming GAO report that will be delivered to congress. I will also be helping him collect that data via my research in the PTSD Timeline. (If anyone ever comes across any PTSD-related OEF/OIF incidents please contact me so that I can add them to the database. ptsdcombatmail -at- insightbb.com. Thx.)
OK...I'm off to do a bit more cross-posting, and will update as I hear anything else on this. I hope Gen. Clark can be reached in time to make a comment on this news. It is ugly, and must not be allowed to stand.
Blogging on PTSD Combat
Read the whole statement by VFA on the TBI funding decrease. A snippet:
“Cutting funding for traumatic brain injury is a moral outrage, and that’s the bottom line. As an Iraq War veteran, I believe there is no greater decision our country can make than to decide to go to war, so there should be an equally high priority for Congress and the American people to provide medical care for our soldiers both on the battlefield and when they return home.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a signature wound of the Iraq War, and given the 10 percent of soldiers already suffering from TBI, it is on the path to becoming one of the most frequent injuries suffered by our troops in Iraq. Our men and women who bravely serve in the U.S. armed forces are our Nation’s number one most important military asset, yet Congress cannot find $19 million dollars in a defense appropriations bill that is likely to cost upwards of $370 billion? ...
Bobby Muller, Chairman of Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation said:
“I am shocked and appalled to learn that Congress is not making the health of our soldiers fighting in Iraq a priority. The Iraq War is escalating, casualties are rising, yet Congress is on recess while their staff plans to slash desperately needed Traumatic Brain Injury research and treatment for our Nation’s men and women fighting on the front lines.
Since September 11th, 2001, 1.5 million service members have been deployed overseas to the Global War on Terror (GWOT). More than 3,000 have died. 50,000 have been wounded, injured or become sick with a physical or mental condition. The VA has reported that as of May, 2006, nearly 168,500 GWOT veterans have been treated, and the Veterans Brain Injury Center estimates that up to 150,000 veterans may suffer TBI from war. This budget cut is a serious moral outrage, and I call on Congress to explain to these 1.5 million men and women why the brain injuries they suffer in war are not a top concern for our country. This is the time for Congress to do the right thing and implement a comprehensive plan that addresses the needs of our veterans.”
Blogging on PTSD Combat
who has "skin in the game", I'd like to publicly thank all involved in this project.
And especially Clarkies who answer the call yet again.....
Thank you.
It now has become public (see the USAtoday link below) that the Bush administration along with its henchmen in Congress have gutted the budget for the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Centers and the Blast Injury Initiative. This means that not only our troops have insufficent protection again blast injury, but if head injured, they will receive even less support and care from our government. This inexcusable and utterly immoral for our government to be dismantling this program during an active conflict. This needs to be brought to the immediate attention of General Clark prior to his interviews latter today, especially if he is going to be facing Hannity.
It is my opinion that since a big part of what the DVBICS have been doing has been collecting the epidemiological data on head injury. The data are obviously becoming a source of irritation and embarassment for the Administration. Thus they have move to silence the collection of the data. In their view, if the numbers do not exist, the problem does not exist.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-08-08-brain-center_x.htm
I have forwarded a message to WesPAC staff that the community and various veteran's groups are requesting General Clark to speak on this new development and bring it into daylight as soon as possible. With links.
It may be too late for Hannity, but I tried.
Fortunately, he appears often-- and an issue like this is sure to frustrate and anger him as much if not more than it is us here.
Thanks everyone for the wonderful spirit of giving, caring and of community you've shown on this Troops & Vets blog. Let's hope the General gets the message and is able to speak out on this immoral, despicable decision.
They say the budget is a moral document--- a statement of values... Some priorities we show.
Thanks, ms.
I'd love to hear General Clark's response to this latest budget's affront to our troops.
Here's some of the statement posted by the Veterans for America:
“Cutting funding for traumatic brain injury is a moral outrage, and that’s the bottom line. As an Iraq War veteran, I believe there is no greater decision our country can make than to decide to go to war, so there should be an equally high priority for Congress and the American people to provide medical care for our soldiers both on the battlefield and when they return home.
carol4clark
General Wes Clark * * * * 4 Stars Over Texas
A good and necessary cause. I will be ahppy to support it.
The General gets it right.
Competence--What a concept!
Brainstorming possible ways to spread this message
Our VFW has a women's group, that I can contact. One of their leaders is also our post mistress. In a small community like mine, there are certain "power points" that can and will spread this message. When her son was in Iraq, she was completely radicalized because so many people weren't paying attention to the war.
Also, the man who runs the general store is retired Air Force and a Clarkie. He'll put a flyer out on the counter...for sure.
I'll look around for some other groups, but first I'll do a one-page flyer. Any other ideas? Thinking.....
One of my old students, a marine, suffered a head injury. He's okay, but there's plenty of scares to remind us all of what terrible injuries these soldiers are incuring.
Oh, and I'll call my representative tomorrow.
You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.--J. V. Marley
Donna,
Check out the Operation Helmet web site (www.operationhelmet.org). There is all sorts of wonderful material-- brochures, power points, fliers. I usually type brochure in the search section and it takes me directly to the material.
Thanks for spreading the news. Hilary
I'm excited to be here. The CCN folks are wonderful and seem so eager to help our troops. Thank you. Hilary
I want to thank you so much for your work, and wanted to let you know how inspiring you are to others. There might not be many 'good' stories that come out of war, but it's amazing to me when I see examples of personal goodness and the soaring of the human spirit.
Currently I'm writing a book on our returning OEF/OIF troops, and have a section planned which will close the book out offering examples of what people across the country are doing to make a differnce. I would be honored to include your story, as well as details on Operation Helmet.
Please feel free to contact me at ptsdcombatmail -at- insightbb.com, and I'll be happy to send you out a copy of what I'll include in my manuscript submission if you'd like a once-over before manuscript submission.
Again, many thanks. I just love what you're doing!
Blogging on PTSD Combat
Last year alone 600,000 veterans were cut. Now with these heroes coming home and not being treated how do we fight back? Brain Injury has been reported to be one out of two of the troops with a Combat MOS. One out of four with PTSD . How are we going to take care of them with Budget cuts?
Here is a great editorial by Bob Kerr of the Providence Journal:
http://www.projo.com/news/bobkerr/projo_20060811_frico11.1fc69b7.html
Yes, it is an excellent editorial!
Excerpts:
The brain injury often comes home under cover of other, more visible wounds. The missing leg will get a lot of attention. The missing ability to express thoughts and emotions might not.
--snip--
Scientists at the center, working at military and veterans' hospitals, develop methods to diagnose and treat brain injuries. And they push for a more thorough program to identify brain injuries inflicted by the mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and roadside bombs that have become the standard weapons of insurgents in Iraq.
In other words, they deal with the results of a war that was never planned for. They deal with the cruel things that happen when Americans are blown up by people they never see. In some ways, they point the way for military medicine for years to come.
And their efforts are being shortchanged and cut back.
Last year, the budget was $14 million. This year, there is $7 million in the House and Senate versions of the Defense appropriation bill.
There is no way to justify this kind of cut. It is an insult to every soldier or Marine or sailor pounding on the side of a hospital bed in anger and frustration over the inability to tell people what he or she is feeling.
carol4clark
General Wes Clark * * * * 4 Stars Over Texas
Now in my early forties, I still remember the nightly casualty reports from Vietnam being read by Walter Cronkite. At the time, to someone my age, these numbers were just numbers. I did not connect them to actual people, their parents, their children, or their spouses. As I got older, I came to understand the magnitude of what I had witnessed, and when I became a student of neuroscience, and in particular, brain injury research, I came to realize the lingering costs of the war in human suffering and the lack of attention given to those who served so honorably there.
Most of the brain injuries sustained in Vietnam were visible, because they were primarily caused by bullets and shrapnel. Veterans with injuries to certain areas of the brain were found to have much more severe neurobehavioral problems than those with other types of brain injuries. These neurobehavioral problems, largely ignored by our government, led to high rates of unemployment, divorce, and homelessness in this tragic subset of the head-injured population.
We are now facing a new influx of head-injured soldiers from Iraq/Afghanistan. Thanks largely to the protective benefits of body armor, traumatic brain injury (TBI) has emerged as the “signature wound” of these wars. But unlike brain injuries typical in the Vietnam conflict, much of the damage in the contemporary combat is the result of improvised explosive devices that produce blast-induced TBI, often without any visible scars. But inside the brain, it’s a different story.
Some soldiers with TBI have symptoms that are hard to distinguish from other mental conditions like depression and post traumatic stress disorder. Scientific research on soldiers with blast-related TBI indicate that many have damage to the same brain areas as Vietnam veterans with neurobehavioral problems. However, the total numbers of soldiers suffering brain injuries in the current conflicts appears to exceed the numbers from previous wars. According to Bob Bazell of NBC news,
“Brain injuries – thousands of them – could be the legacy of this war just as much as post-traumatic stress and problems from exposure to Agent Orange persisted among many of the troops who served in Vietnam…”
At least 18,000 troops have been wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan to date. Some reports suggest that up to 60% of those casualties (as many as 10,000) involve some degree of brain injury. These figures do not include civilian contractors such as convoy truck drivers and private security personnel, or members of the news media who have suffered brain injuries.
There are signs that our government is heading down the same road it followed during the Vietnam War – by denying the magnitude of the brain injury problem and thereby depriving casualties the treatment they need. Until now, the Defense and Veteran Brain Injury Centers (DVBIC) program has taken the lead in collecting information on how may soldiers have suffered TBI and how severely have they been injured. The DVBIC have accomplished this on a shoestring budget of $14 million per year spread out over seven centers. This program helps returning soldiers, their families, and our government understand the implications of TBIs and their future impact on soldiers’ lives, and facilitates the rehabilitation of these casualties.
To deal with the influx of brain-injured soldiers returning from combat, these centers requested that their 2007 fiscal year budget be increased from $14 million to $19 million, a paltry sum compared to the billions a month we are spending on the wars. Instead of granting the requested increase, the budget proposed by President Bush and rubber-stamped by both houses of congress eliminates the program.
Citizens of this country should demand answers to these questions: 1) Why does the White House want to kill this program, and why is Congress going along? 2) Are Bush administration officials embarrassed by the numbers of brain-injured soldiers returning from Iraq/Afghanistan? 3) Do they believe that if data collection is stopped, the problem will vanish? 4) What will happen to brain-injured troops when they no longer have access to these services?
Military discipline prohibits our troops from speaking for themselves. We must speak for them. Call, write, or email your United States Senators and your Representative today. Tell them you are outraged by the decision to eliminate the Defense and Veteran Brain Injury Centers from the 2007 fiscal year budget. Those who repeatedly admonish us to “support our troops” should be willing to do so themselves. Actions speak louder than words.
Dr. Hoffman is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Emory University and a brain injury researcher. He does not receive funding from the Defense and Veteran Brain Injury Centers (DVBIC) program.
Would like to send you a draft of a future post about TBI via e-mail if you'd be interested in reviewing it for us.
My e-mail is
carol4clark at houston dot rr dot com
Thanks for your insights!
carol4clark
General Wes Clark * * * * 4 Stars Over Texas
I've heard that there is a shortage of TBI specialists in the country -- even to treat civilian cases. Is this correct? This makes the DVBIC's work all the more necessary. It's an absolute outrage what's happened here with our priorities. I do agree that the Pentagon doesn't appear to want to deal with the numbers; so they just shut down the research and hope that 'poof' it will all go away.
CCN is gathering the troops and leading the charge on this one, as is Veterans for America (my understanding is that they're working on putting an action event together just as you prescribe). We're going to give changing this our very best shot. Great letter, Dr. Hoffman.
Blogging on PTSD Combat
"...blast-induced TBI, often without any visible scars...inside the brain, it’s a different story...military discipline prohibits our troops from speaking for themselves..."
This is the ongoing heart-break of "TBI scarred" vets over the course of our "modern wars"...nothing much changes without people like Dr. Bob, Hillary and you, shining the light on it. Thank you, Dr. Hoffman, for weighing in.
What would you do for a Klondike Bar?
Thank you so much, Hilary and the Troops and Vets team, for this very thoughtful and helpful post.
A lot to think about...
Here's to us all...
LindaG