DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Military fails on brain-test follow-ups

**BgpOoGI2** · 06-15-2010, 08:44 AM

By Gregg Zoroya - USA Today
Posted : Monday Jun 14, 2010 11:35:38 EDT

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has failed to comply with a congressional directive to give all troops tests before and after they serve in combat to measure their thinking abilities and uncover possible brain injuries, military records show.

More than 562,000 tests of troops taken before they deployed have not been re-administered on their return by military health officials, the records show. That means the Pentagon could be missing thousands of cases of brain injury, says Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., who helped write the 2008 order.

"This is a total failure," says Pascrell, co-chairman of the bipartisan Congressional Brain Injury Task Force. "We're failing to find TBI (traumatic brain injury) and post-traumatic stress disorder in an era when the military is trying to find and assist folks who need it."

Lt. Gen. Eric Schoomaker, the Army surgeon general, and other Army officials say the test is flawed and no better than a "coin flip."

Read the rest of the story...

This topic is personal for me in a number of ways but suffice it to say brain injuries are as or more traumatic than losing a limb; trouble is the missing limb shows in a way that TBI does not. Part of my military history has put me in the position to view a number of these injuries first-hand; in the ICU's at Landstuhl and BAMC. This congressional directive has evolved not only out of need but from the shame brought about by the WRMC debacle in 2006 and the numerous media reports regarding medical treatment post-injury of military or rather lack of it.

Veterans and active duty alike have received less than adequate treatment in this country since the Revolutionary War; this is not a new revelation. Thankfully, in this era, the 'Fourth Estate' of the media has brought the issue to the American public and yet, we are still found wanting. The only way our military will ultimately receive the deserved medical attention is by public outcry and political leadership. President Obama has made good first steps by fully funding the VA-- FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY--and appointing Gen. Shinseki as Sec. of Vet. Affairs. The Senate Arms Services Committee has an excellent advocate in a former Marine Officer (1st in his class at the Academy, Navy Cross awarded for service in VN), Secretary of the Navy under RR, and father to an OIF veteran, Sen. Jim Webb. The other and more crucial pressure must come from We The People.

Just under one percent of the American people have served/are serving in these wars on two fronts. It is up to us in the military and former members to light the fire and keep it burning. If we have enough time and energy to post in here pro or con other military matters that concern us, why not advocate and support our fellows who NEED us to cover their backs? Send an email to the SASC or Jim Webb and DEMAND this issue be dealt with in a timely manner. Keep the pressure on those who have the power and influence to make this stain on the American legacy, history. Our first CIC, George Washington said it better than I ever could: “The future of our Armed Services and the future of this country will be integrally linked with how we
take care of our Veterans.”

06-15-2010, 08:44 AM	#2
BgpOoGI2 Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 412 Senior Member	By Gregg Zoroya - USA Today Posted : Monday Jun 14, 2010 11:35:38 EDT WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has failed to comply with a congressional directive to give all troops tests before and after they serve in combat to measure their thinking abilities and uncover possible brain injuries, military records show. More than 562,000 tests of troops taken before they deployed have not been re-administered on their return by military health officials, the records show. That means the Pentagon could be missing thousands of cases of brain injury, says Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., who helped write the 2008 order. "This is a total failure," says Pascrell, co-chairman of the bipartisan Congressional Brain Injury Task Force. "We're failing to find TBI (traumatic brain injury) and post-traumatic stress disorder in an era when the military is trying to find and assist folks who need it." Lt. Gen. Eric Schoomaker, the Army surgeon general, and other Army officials say the test is flawed and no better than a "coin flip." Read the rest of the story... This topic is personal for me in a number of ways but suffice it to say brain injuries are as or more traumatic than losing a limb; trouble is the missing limb shows in a way that TBI does not. Part of my military history has put me in the position to view a number of these injuries first-hand; in the ICU's at Landstuhl and BAMC. This congressional directive has evolved not only out of need but from the shame brought about by the WRMC debacle in 2006 and the numerous media reports regarding medical treatment post-injury of military or rather lack of it. Veterans and active duty alike have received less than adequate treatment in this country since the Revolutionary War; this is not a new revelation. Thankfully, in this era, the 'Fourth Estate' of the media has brought the issue to the American public and yet, we are still found wanting. The only way our military will ultimately receive the deserved medical attention is by public outcry and political leadership. President Obama has made good first steps by fully funding the VA-- FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY--and appointing Gen. Shinseki as Sec. of Vet. Affairs. The Senate Arms Services Committee has an excellent advocate in a former Marine Officer (1st in his class at the Academy, Navy Cross awarded for service in VN), Secretary of the Navy under RR, and father to an OIF veteran, Sen. Jim Webb. The other and more crucial pressure must come from We The People. Just under one percent of the American people have served/are serving in these wars on two fronts. It is up to us in the military and former members to light the fire and keep it burning. If we have enough time and energy to post in here pro or con other military matters that concern us, why not advocate and support our fellows who NEED us to cover their backs? Send an email to the SASC or Jim Webb and DEMAND this issue be dealt with in a timely manner. Keep the pressure on those who have the power and influence to make this stain on the American legacy, history. Our first CIC, George Washington said it better than I ever could: “The future of our Armed Services and the future of this country will be integrally linked with how we take care of our Veterans.”
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