The Pentagon’s new plan to track troops’ blast exposure and brain health has run into problems, watchdog says
The GAO says the military is struggling to assess brain health and track troops' exposure to potentially harmful blast waves from weapons and attacks.
The Pentagon has encountered obstacles in monitoring soldiers' brain health following the implementation of a new system, according to a Government Accountability Office report. The effects of blast overpressure exposure can be severe, potentially leading to cognitive impairments and traumatic brain injuries. The military services are struggling to meet the new requirements due to staffing and equipment shortages.
Cognitive assessments are now mandatory for newly enlisted troops and those in high-risk positions, but the military lacks sufficient staff, equipment, and resources to complete all necessary assessments. In 2024, the Pentagon directed the services to monitor potential blast overpressure exposure and establish new guidelines for safe distances from certain weapons.
Service members exposed to blast waves may experience headaches, cognitive difficulties, and memory problems. The Army, which has the largest population of high-risk personnel, has only tracked exposure for less than 2% of the roughly 142,000 potentially exposed service members by the end of fiscal year 2025. The GAO noted that while a one-year pilot program for a new cognitive assessment tool may help solve resource issues, the Pentagon has not documented how it will evaluate the tool's impact on resource needs.
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