Joe Shearer, a 40-year-old veteran from Colorado Springs, Colorado, recently received a diagnosis of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), 21 years after suffering blasts while fighting in Iraq. He described being knocked down by a mortar round and later hit by a roadside bomb's shockwave in 2005. Shearer, who came home at 19, initially denied PTSD and didn't understand TBIs, turning to self-medication and contemplating suicide. He now struggles with dizziness, migraines, and memory lapses, affecting his responsibilities to his wife and children.
The Cost to Our People
Nearly 700 U.S. service members have been wounded by drone and missile attacks on Middle East bases, with most experiencing TBIs and returning to duty, according to military officials. Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell dismissed the vast majority of injuries over a two-week period as "minor concussions" last month. Doctors cannot predict who will suffer lasting effects from a TBI, but repeated blows increase the risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Dr. David Okonkwo, a University of Pittsburgh brain trauma specialist, emphasized the necessity of recovery from a concussion before engaging in activities that heighten the risk of another. Dr. James Kelly, an emeritus professor of neurology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, stated that "the blast wave itself can be injurious," noting it causes a "different cellular injury" than blunt head trauma. This distinction highlights the unique and often invisible wounds inflicted by modern warfare.
Frank Sonntag, a 75-year-old Army veteran from Queen Creek, Arizona, experienced memory loss after a TBI from a mortar blast in Iraq 22 years ago, in 2004. He recounted taking 30 minutes to write an email and being told by colleagues he spoke one word every 10 seconds. Sonntag considered suicide before his diagnosis, which occurred after he got lost driving home. Neurologists prescribed medication for his migraines, and he credited speech therapy with helping him practice words and reconstruct sentences.
Spencer Milo, 41, of Parker, Colorado, has endured migraines, seizures, and forgetfulness following a TBI in Iraq 18 years ago, in 2008, when his Humvee crashed to evade fire. He sustained a second TBI 15 years ago, in 2011, from a suicide bomber's blast in Afghanistan. Milo noted that fellow service members questioned why he couldn't "just kick it," underscoring the lack of understanding for these unseen injuries.
Institutional Neglect
Democratic lawmakers are now demanding an investigation into the care provided to wounded troops after an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait killed six U.S. soldiers this year, on March 1. Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin pressed the military in a letter on Wednesday to release the findings of its investigation into the attack. Baldwin stated she spoke with Wisconsinites who suffered TBIs from "Trump’s war in Iran" and went weeks without screening or specialized care. Defense Health Agency spokesman Peter Graves responded via email, asserting that "it is policy that service members are screened for TBI."
More than 500,000 service members were diagnosed with TBIs between 2000 and 2025, with 82% of these cases classified as mild and not all combat-related. Advocates believe these injuries remain undercounted because symptoms frequently overlap with post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions. Kelly Parker, director of independent services at the Wounded Warrior Project, emphasized that screening, early treatment, and support are crucial for veterans to return to a more normal life. She highlighted that physical, speech, and art therapies can lead to improvements, stating, "We know that new neural pathways can be created, and we absolutely believe that the brain can adapt."
The Unseen Wounds of Elite Wars
Americans are increasingly concerned about the war in Iran and its potential to destabilize the Middle East further. The Reuters poll indicated public apprehension as the conflict continues. The stories of veterans like Shearer, Sonntag, and Milo reveal the profound, long-term costs borne by the nation's own people, often in silence and without adequate institutional support, long after the political decisions for foreign intervention are made.