BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS

[Tony]

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED// 
ROUTINE 
R 251816Z APR 24 MID600117382207U 
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC 
TO ALNAV 
INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC 
CNO WASHINGTON DC 
CMC WASHINGTON DC 
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MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/APR// 
 
SUBJ/BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS// 
 
REF/A/BLAST INJURY RESEARCH COORDINATING OFFICE WEB// 
REF/B/DODINST 6055.01/21APR2021// 
REF/C/SECNAVINST 5100.10L/09APR2021// 
REF/D/ASR(R) MEMO/04NOV2022// 
REF/E/DEPSECDEF MEMO/08JUN2022// 
REF/F/WARFIGHTER BRAIN HEALTH WEB// 
REF/G/OPNAVINST 3591.1G/01JUN2021// 
REF/H/MCO 3570.1C/30JAN2012// 
REF/I/DOD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE WEB// 
 
NARR/REF A IS THE BLAST INJURY RESEARCH COORDINATING OFFICE WEBSITE AT 
https://blastinjuryresearch.health.mil/.
REF B IS THE DODINST 6055.01, DOD SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH (SOH) 
PROGRAM. 
REF C IS THE SECNAVINST 5100.10L, DEPARTMENT OF NAVY SAFETY PROGRAM. 
REF D IS THE ASD (READINESS) MEMORANDUM, INTERIMN GUIDANCE FOR MANAGING BRAIN 
HEALTH RISK FROM BLAST OVERPRESSURE. 
REF E DEPSECDEF MEMORANDUM, COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN FOR 
WARFIGHTER BRAIN HEALTH. 
REF F IS THE WARFIGHTER BRAIN HEALTH WEBSITE HUB AT 
https://health.mil/military-health-topics/warfighter-brain-health.
REF G IS THE OPNAVINST 3591, SMALL ARMS TRAINING AND QUALIFICATION. 
REF H IS THE MCO 3570.1C, RANGE SAFETY. 
REF I IS THE DOD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE AT 
https://health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Centers-of-Excellence/Traumatic-
Brain-Injury-Center-of-Excellence. 
 
RMKS/1.  This message reinforces the Department of the Navy's commitment to 
safeguarding our personnel by raising awareness of brain injuries and 
establishing a process of improvement for treatment and management of 
operational activities that may risk brain injuries. 
 
2.  After several decades of combat operations and warfighter-related 
research, we continue to learn that some injuries are difficult to diagnose. 
Unlike other types of injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) may not 
manifest immediately, and exposure to multiple blast overpressure or impacts 
may have a cumulative effect that we are only now understanding.  We are 
modifying operational procedures to minimize the risk to warfighters.  The 
science regarding these exposures and impact thereof is evolving, but waiting 
on definitive answers is not an option. 
 
3.  As we are learning, TBI may occur from impacts to the head as well as 
exposures to explosions, blast overpressure, or from the operation of various 
weapons systems.  All of these events may contribute to injuries in a 
multitude of ways (impulse noise, blast overpressure, body accelerations, and 
whole body vibration).  These exposures may occur in combat, operational, and 
training environments.  The Department of Defense (DoD) Blast Injury 
Coordinating Office site, shown in reference (a), is a good resource of 
information that supports the Services.  In the training environment, it is 
critical we maximize weapons proficiency to enhance our readiness and limit 
unnecessary exposure.  References (b) and (c) require the identification and 
control of hazardous exposures.  Reference (d) identifies blast overpressures 
of four pounds per square inch as a level of concern and directs the Services 
to keep exposures to as low as reasonably achievable.  The Services currently 
accomplish this level of exposure through increasing stand-off distance from 
blast events and limiting the time and number of exposures. 
 
4.  Reference (e) identifies symptoms and shows that early intervention is 
paramount in preserving the health and readiness of our personnel.  Resources 
for identification of symptoms are available at reference (f).  We must renew 
our awareness and vigilance in protecting our Sailors and Marines from brain 
injury threats.  Additionally, it is also important to emphasize the entire 
DoD, Navy, and Marine Corps assets in the medical, occupational health, and 
medical research communities remain fully committed to working together to 
minimize the risk of brain injury to Navy and Marine Corps personnel. 
 
5.  Commanders and Commanding Officers: 
    a.  Incorporate brain injury awareness into your command's safety and 
health programs and emphasize the importance of brain injury prevention, 
identification, and treatment. 
    b.  Ensure range protocols comply with the limits defined in references 
(f) and (g). 
    c.  Ensure safety offices are identifying hazardous exposures from unit 
level operations and assessing control measures as required in references (a) 
and (b). 
    d.  Ensure medical departments are aware of symptoms and interventions 
for brain injuries and resources available from references (h) and (i). 
    e.  Discuss brain injury awareness during unit level safety events. 
Additional resources are available at reference (g). 
 
6.  All personnel shall: 
    a.  Exercise caution and minimize unnecessary exposure.  If exposed and 
not actively engaged in developing proficiency, take action to minimize 
exposure.  This may be as simple as taking a couple of steps back. 
    b.  Be mindful of symptoms of potential brain injuries in oneself and 
others. 
    c.  Report suspected brain injuries to medical department and chain of 
command. 
    d.  Strict adherence to established tactics, techniques, and procedures 
is critical to ensure exposures are controlled or minimized. 
 
7.  It is the responsibility of every Sailor, Marine, and civilian to 
minimize potential brain injuries.  By staying vigilant and being proactive, 
we enhance our collective ability to protect the mission and the safety of 
our personnel. 
 
8.  Let this serve as a reminder that preventing and treating brain injuries 
is not a one-time effort but a continuous commitment.  Our success relies on 
the diligence of every Sailor, Marine, civilian, and contractor in 
safeguarding or operational capability.  Together, we can maintain a secure 
environment that ensures the accomplishment of our mission objectives, 
maximize readiness, and minimize exposure to ensure the safety of our Nation. 
 
9.  I encourage you to learn more and take advantage of the excellent 
resources available in designated references which are aggregated on the 
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy Safety webpage 
(https://www.secnav.navy.mil/eie/Pages/default.aspx) under Blast 
Overpressure. 
 
10.  Released by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy.// 
 
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CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED//