US Troops Continue Training on Brain Injury-risk Weapons
TL/DR –
Studies and firsthand accounts from US military personnel suggest that blast exposure from rocket launchers may cause serious, long-term harm, including brain damage and mental health issues. Despite these findings and congressional orders to limit and track troops’ exposure, soldiers report minimal changes to training and blast exposure. The military has begun implementing some safety measures, such as distance requirements during training, but these measures are not consistently practiced, and further intervention, such as the use of blast gauges to monitor exposure, has yet to be instituted.
US Special Ops Troops Face Blast Exposure Risks
Rocket launch training in the serene Ozark Mountains is causing increasing concerns about the safety of US Special Operations troops. Each launch causes a shock wave to ripple through the operator’s brain, a fact previously deemed safe by the military despite mounting evidence that repetitive blasts can cause serious harm.
Despite pressure from veterans and Congress to set safety limits and track troops’ exposure, little has changed on the ground. Weapons such as shoulder-fired rockets, which are known to deliver a shock wave above the safety threshold, are still in widespread use.
Unaddressed Hazards at Training Centers
At Fort Chaffee training center in Arkansas, a research team measures the impact of rocket blasts on Special Operations troops’ brains. Data from the last three years shows that operators often experience worsened memories, reduced cognitive function, and increased levels of brain injury markers after firing rockets. Yet, despite these alarming findings, operators continue to train with the Carl Gustaf M3 rocket launcher, a weapon that delivers a blast often twice the recommended safety threshold.
Lasting Impact on Troops’ Mental Health
Studies suggest that despite recovery from blast effects after a few days or weeks, repeated exposure may lead to permanent brain damage and long-term mental health consequences. A 2021 Navy study found that service members with more blast exposure had a higher risk of developing anxiety disorders, depression, migraines, and other psychiatric disorders.
Delay in Implementing Safety Measures
Although Congress mandated blast exposure monitoring in 2018, the Pentagon is still deliberating on the best approach. However, studies show that issuing blast gauges to troops could significantly reduce exposure as troops often alter their behavior to avoid blasts once they are aware of their exposure levels.
Calls for Increased Action
Frank Larkin, a former Navy SEAL and Secret Service agent, has been actively lobbying lawmakers to prioritize blast exposure. His son, Ryan Larkin, a former SEAL, suffered from the effects of exposure and died by suicide in 2017. His brain showed a distinct pattern of damage unique to people exposed to blast waves. Larkin continues to advocate for military reforms to protect troops.
Slow Change in the Field
While policy discussions continue, troops on the ground note minimal changes. Cory McEvoy, a former Special Operations medic, emphasizes the need for a system to track blast exposure accurately to recognize service-related injuries in career special operators.
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