CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED//
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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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