Excellent article on brain cell destrution in SOF personnel

[Eagle5US]

Scarring of the brain now evident in SOF personnel on autopsy
I would ask for a few moments and have you all read this. We are finally getting some answers to long asked questions regarding the all too frequent losses, physical and functional, of our friends.

[PRB]

Always thought one had to be in an IED event...perhaps not....

[MR2]

Originally Posted by PRB

Always thought one had to be in an IED event...perhaps not....

Walt Shumate was my company SGM - I have TBI

[mojaveman]

If this proves to be true, then it would include any Veteran who spent a lot of time firing weapons regardless of whether or not they served in special operations?

Maybe a new understanding of PTSD causes for everyone?

And I've wondered why so many people are diagnosed with it.

[Badger52]

Originally Posted by MR2

Walt Shumate was my company SGM - I have TBI

You have some Peter-san DNA.

Originally Posted by mojaveman

If this proves to be true, then it would include any Veteran who spent a lot of time firing weapons regardless of whether or not they served in special operations?

Maybe a new understanding of PTSD causes for everyone?

And I've wondered why so many people are diagnosed with it.

Good point. I don't know, so I'll ask anyone who might: How extensively are those formally diagnosed with PTSD screened physiologically?

[JimP]

I DO know that this has Congress's attention (for what that's worth in an election year). Ryan Larkin (SEAL breacher) hung himself after a long battle with the Navy, employers, his demons, and basically life in general. His Dad, Frank, was the House SGT of Arms during all the unpleasantries of the last administration and was himself an old school SEAL. Frank is also one of the best, smartest, and honorable guys I've ever met. One of my closest buddies worked with Frank and Ryan for several years in trying to assist Ryan in his issues with the Navy's mentality to just use you up and toss you. Unfortunately, the leadership in the SEAL community (in my opinion) is FAR behind the healing mentality needed to get beyond the last twenty years of war(s). Frank was able to get the results of his son's autopsy to the attention of Congress as his brain analysis clearly showed the CTE (?) of repeated blast injuries.

It's not so much the "firing of weapons," it is a major wake-up call as to breaching, frags, HME, etc. and the frequency and size of the charge that is being studied.

The best recitation of this I found in a book written by a physicist who wrote the definitive book a few years back as to the reason the men in the Confederate Sub Hunley were all killed and found at their stations as if they had just fallen asleep. A really good book for history buffs and some good science in there as to blast dynamics upon the human body.

[P36]

There are now several facilities that focus specifically on TBI, this one is in NC, works closely with folks at Bragg and is no cost to the Vet or 1st Responder. A former 3rd Gp medic is their liaison to the military/veteran community.

https://tbicenter.unc.edu/thrive/

[P36]

There are several TBI clinics in the US under Avalon Alliance that treat veterans and first responders. Here’s the link

https://www.avalonactionalliance.org/

A full 3 days of work up with a Followup program and at no cost to veteran.