The Profoundly Damaged Brain of Army Reservist Raises Concerns for Military and Veterans
In a shocking discovery, the autopsy results of Army reservist Robert R. Card II, who tragically killed 18 people before taking his own life, have revealed profound damage to his brain. This revelation has raised significant concerns not only for the military but also for the millions of veterans across the nation. Card, a grenade range instructor who never saw combat, did not have a history of head injuries or accidents that could account for the state of his brain. The only exposure he had to potential harm was through routine blasts on the training range, which are supposed to be safe. This begs the question: if Card’s brain suffered such severe damage from these blasts, how many other troops are at risk? And how many veterans may be silently struggling with similar injuries?
The implications of this discovery are immense. Frank Larkin, a former Navy SEAL and sergeant-at-arms of the U.S. Senate, who tragically lost his son Ryan, also a Navy SEAL, to suicide, believes that the military needs to reevaluate its safety guidelines for blast exposure. Currently, the military considers anything below 4 psi (pounds per square inch) of pressure wave as safe for the brain. However, Card’s brain damage suggests that even exposure to 1 psi could cause profound injuries, especially after repeated exposures. Larkin urges the military to prioritize finding ways to minimize exposure and improve training methods.
The Army acknowledges the need for further protection against blast-induced injury, and they are in the process of updating their guidelines on blast exposure. A service-wide safety campaign will also be launched to enhance understanding of potential risks. However, until these changes are implemented, numerous troops continue to train daily with weapons that generate potentially harmful blasts.
While Card’s case is exceptional in many ways, it highlights a broader issue affecting veterans who have been exposed to blasts. Many veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries since 2001 struggle with sleep, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and mood regulation. They often face difficulties in their personal lives, such as job loss, failed marriages, and other problems that rarely receive attention beyond their own households.
Card’s brain analysis conducted by Dr. Lee Goldstein, a neurologist and psychologist at Boston University, reveals significant damage to the frontal lobes responsible for executive function. These damaged connections between the frontal lobes and the parts of the brain associated with fear, anger, impulsiveness, and violence explain why veterans with blast exposure may struggle with judgment and aggression control. This finding challenges the traditional approach to treating PTSD, which often includes prolonged exposure therapy. If the frontal lobes are not fully functional, exposure therapy may not yield any benefits.
The military and the Department of Veterans Affairs must reassess their approach to PTSD treatment in light of Card’s brain damage. It is crucial to acknowledge that many veterans return from war fundamentally changed, and this change may not solely be attributed to combat. The damage seen in Card’s brain necessitates a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of blast exposure on mental health.
Studies have shown that service members in roles exposing them to blasts experience more behavioral health issues, drug and alcohol abuse, high divorce rates, and significantly elevated suicide rates compared to their peers in non-exposed roles. Blast-exposed veterans are also more likely to commit crimes once they leave the military. Consequently, initiatives such as veterans’ treatment courts have emerged to provide deferred sentences for veterans who complete treatment instead of incarceration.
Brock Hunter, a lawyer specializing in representing veterans accused of crimes, emphasizes the need for courts and prosecutors to extend the same support and sympathy to blast-exposed veterans as they do for those with PTSD. However, it may take time for society to fully comprehend the severity of blast injuries. Hunter plans to incorporate questions about blast exposure into his client interviews moving forward.
The discovery of Card’s damaged brain should serve as a wake-up call for the military, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and society as a whole. It is essential to recognize that military service, even without deployment, can have a profound impact on an individual’s mental health. Just as it took years for society to understand and address PTSD, it may take a similar amount of time to grasp the complexities and consequences of blast-induced brain injuries. Nonetheless, it is imperative that we prioritize the well-being and proper treatment of our service members and veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country.
