When people think about the military, they usually picture physical strength, endurance, and intense training. Soldiers go through grueling workouts, push their bodies to the limit, and prepare for the toughest situations imaginable. However, one thing that does not get talked about enough is brain health. Just like the body, the brain can suffer from wear and tear, especially in a high-stress, high-impact environment like the military.
As a result, the Army is prioritizing cognitive testing. Every new recruit will now go through a baseline cognitive assessment at the start of their service. This gives doctors a way to track brain health over time. If a soldier’s cognitive abilities start to decline, whether from an injury, repeated exposure to explosions, or the mental strain of combat, the Army will be able to catch the problem early and get them the help they need.
But why is this happening now? What makes cognitive testing so important for the military? And what does this mean for the future of soldier health?
What Is Cognitive Testing, and Why Does It Matter?
Cognitive testing is a way to measure how well a person’s brain is functioning. This test looks at memory, reaction time, attention span, and problem-solving skills. In the Army, this is especially important because soldiers need to think fast, make split-second decisions, and stay focused under pressure.
For years, the military mainly tested cognitive function before deployments or after serious injuries. However, this approach left a major gap. Many soldiers were suffering brain injuries during training or through repeated exposure to explosions. To make it worse, no one was keeping track of how it was affecting them. The new testing system does the following:
- Tests all new recruits at the beginning of their service to establish a baseline.
- Requires regular cognitive assessments every three years to check for any changes.
- Allows doctors to compare results over time to detect early signs of cognitive decline.
Brain injuries can go unnoticed for a long time, sometimes not emerging until something goes horribly wrong. If cognitive testing is made a routine part of military healthcare, the Army is making sure that soldiers are not silently struggling with brain damage that could affect their performance, safety, and overall well-being.
How Brain Injuries Happen in the Military
Soldiers do not have to suffer a direct hit to the head to experience brain damage. One of the biggest risks they face is blast overpressure.
Blast overpressure happens when a large explosion or powerful weapon discharge creates an intense shockwave. Even if a soldier is wearing a helmet and standing a safe distance away, that pressure wave can still rattle their brain inside their skull, leading to long-term damage.
Over time, repeated exposure to these blasts can cause the following:
- Severe headaches
- Memory problems and brain fog
- Slower reaction times
- Difficulty focusing and staying alert
- Mood swings and irritability
The scariest part is that soldiers do not realize they are experiencing cognitive decline until it starts seriously affecting their performance. Therefore, routine cognitive testing is such a game-changer as it gives doctors a way to detect these issues before they get worse.
Certain military roles are at a much higher risk than others. Soldiers in artillery, combat engineering, and special forces are regularly exposed to heavy weapons and explosives. These soldiers are more vulnerable to long-term brain damage, and that is why they need extra monitoring to protect their cognitive health.
The Connection Between Brain Injuries and Mental Health
Brain injuries affect thinking and memory and also have a direct impact on mental health. Research has shown that traumatic brain injuries are linked to:
- Higher rates of depression and anxiety
- Increased risk of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
A heartbreaking example of this involved an Army Reservist who had been a grenade training instructor for years. His job exposed him to thousands of low-level blasts. Over time, he began acting differently. For instance, his mood changed, his memory got worse, and his behavior became unpredictable. His family and fellow soldiers noticed something was wrong, but there was no system in place to track his brain health.
Eventually, things took a tragic turn when he carried out a violent attack. After his death, doctors examined his brain and found evidence of damage caused by repeated blast exposure.
Situations like this are exactly why the Army is prioritizing cognitive testing. If the Reservist’s brain health had been monitored from the start, doctors might have been able to intervene before things spiraled out of control.
What the Pentagon Is Doing to Reduce Risk
In addition to routine cognitive testing, the Department of Defense is also making changes to reduce soldiers’ exposure to brain injuries in the first place. Some of these new policies include:
- Increasing the distance between soldiers and explosions during training.
- Requiring protective gear for anyone handling heavy weapons.
- Using data from cognitive tests to track long-term brain health trends.
These efforts are aimed at making military training safer without sacrificing effectiveness. The reality is that combat will always come with risks, but there are ways to reduce unnecessary brain damage while still keeping soldiers prepared.
The Future of Brain Health in the Army
Cognitive testing should be seen as the first step in protecting Army personnel from long-term mental health issues. There is ongoing research on the impact of repeated blast exposure on the brain.
One of the biggest challenges is making sure that cognitive test results actually lead to meaningful action. The Army is now working to train medical professionals on how to interpret cognitive test results and integrate them into overall healthcare.
The long-term goal is to make brain health just as much of a priority as physical fitness in the military. That way, soldiers are strong and physically prepared for combat and also mentally sharp and protected from long-term neurological damage.
At Zeam Health & Wellness, we specialize in mental health and cognitive function support. If you are dealing with stress, brain fog, or more serious cognitive concerns, our team is here to help. Our depression and trauma treatment center specializes in assessing your unique situation and caters solutions to your specific needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or take our Am I depressed quiz.
