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Marines with combined anti-armor team conduct weapon familiarization training June 3 at the North Training Area at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji. It was the first time for many of the Marines to fire the AT-4 light anti-armor weapon. The Marines are with the CAAT of Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, which is currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. The combat correspondent captured the photo at a shutter speed of 1/160th of a second, creating a multiple-exposure effect of the AT-4 gunner, as well as capturing the dust being shaken from the Marines’ helmets as a result of the shockwave created from the concussion of the weapon’s back-blast. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam B. Miller/Released)
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Warfighter Brain Health Hub

Healthy brains are essential for warfighters to do their jobs well. Tough missions demand quick thinking to make smart choices. That's why protecting warfighter brain health is so important for a strong military.

The Department of Defense Warfighter Brain Health Initiative works to reduce risks of injury, understand more about the brain, and improve treating brain injuries. Checking brain health regularly helps the DOD catch problems earlier. DOD aims to quickly treat warfighters to keep them healthy and ready.

Here's some areas of focus:

  • Helping warfighters think and move at their best
  • Checking up on brain health
  • Preventing and treating Traumatic Brain Injuries
  • Quickly spot TBIs to reduce their harm
  • Protecting warfighters from things that may hurt their brains, like blast overpressure
  • Reducing long-term problems from brain injuries
  • Researching and learning more about how to keep warfighters' brains health 
 



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Dec 15, 2023

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Co-occurring concussion and stress-related disorders, including PTSD, are common among service members. This fact sheet defines concussion, also known as mild traumatic brain injury, and provides an overview of common stress-related disorders, the overlapping symptoms, and how to manage those symptoms.

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Low-Level Blast: VA Provider Fact Sheet

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This fact sheet was developed specifically for VA medical providers. Low-level blast is defined as blast generated from firing heavy weapon systems or explosives in combat or training environments. Exposure to low-level blast does not typically result in a clinically diagnosable concussion, also known as mild traumatic brain injury.

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U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity Pharmacist Excels as Warfighter Brain Health Product Manager, Mom, and Leader

U.S. Army Maj. Dana Bal tests a brain hemorrhage detection device during familiarization training at the headquarters of the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity, Fort Detrick, Md., Dec. 28, 2022. Bal serves as part of the Program Management-Acquisition Internship Program and as assistant product manager with USAMMDA’s Warfighter Brain Health Project Management Office. (U.S. Army Photo by T. T. Parish)

Aiming to join the Army Medical Service Corps as a pharmacist, Dana Bal graduated and earned her commission in 2008 before being awarded a Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) educational delay to complete pharmacy school. Find out why Bal credits the Army for her success as a Warfighter Brain Health Product Manager, a mom, and a leader.

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Neuropsychiatry/TBI Unit at Walter Reed Unique in DOD

Dr. David Williamson, medical director for the Neuropsychiatry/Traumatic Brain Injury unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and his staff are breaking new ground in identifying and treating TBI and behavioral health challenges.  (courtesy photo)

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) has the Department of Defense’s only Neuropsychiatry/Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Unit. It serves as a referral program for Military Health System (MHS) beneficiaries throughout the defense department, as well as for congressional members needing care for the impacts of head injuries and other ...

Last Updated: May 05, 2025
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