The US Military’s Brain Injury Program
Mar 30, 2008 16:00 UTCBrain injuries have become a focus of study and controversy received during the current war. This is partly the result of improved detection and understanding of maladies whose symptoms are sometimes subtle, and can be mistaken for purely psychological maladies. It is also partly the result of enemies whose primary tactical approach is land mine warfare. When these go off, they have a tendency to throw vehicles around pretty hard. Being slammed against the top or side of one’s vehicle leads to concussions, and sometimes to brain injuries. US veterans have been pushing for more work and funding in this area in order to help soldiers who have encountered this hazard, and to improve the future design of equipment and vehicles.
Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson was a US Senator [D-WA], who was known as one of the most consistent supporters of a powerful US military and a strong anti-communist foreign policy within his party. He was also known as a smart lawmaker who authored the National Environmental Policy Act, was a key player in the grant of statehood to Alaska and Hawaii, strongly supported the US submarine fleet, and sought his party’s nomination for President in 1972 & 1976. With the shift of USS Ohio and three other ballistic missile submarines to SSGN special forces and conventional strike roles, the lead sub of the US Trident fleet is now the SSBN 730 Henry M Jackson based in Bangor, WA. His legacy is also continued by the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicines…