Improper Action Taken by U.S. Military following Troops' Brain Trauma

Lt. Col. Richard Brunk was involved in an explosion seven years ago in Baghdad that broke his wrist, shattered his eardrums, and rattled his skull- it was the first of two blasts in 2005 that damaged his brain. These injuries are impossible to avoid during battle, but the military's response to brain injuries is often inconsistent and incorrect. The Pentagon has required troops since 2009 suspected of having head injuries to rest immediately after blast exposure, a crucial period allowing the brain to heal itself. However, in 2005, Brunk was allowed to return to active duty within hours of his first exposure. When doctors eventually recognized that he had neurological damage, he was sent home for three months, but was treated for hearing problems. He was then permitted to return to Iraq, at his own request, where he had a second, potentially devastating head injury. This flexibility by the U.S. military allowing troops to return to duty after experiencing brain damage is not only inappropriate but also extremely dangerous.