More Marines will qualify for TBI-related Purple Heart Medals
Jeff sends us a link to the Stars and Stripes article announcing that the Marines have changed their policy on awarding Purple Heart Medals related to traumatic brain injuries;
Under a new fleetwide instruction, Marines who retain consciousness after a concussion may receive the medal if diagnosed by a medical officer as not fit for full duty “due to persistent signs, symptoms, or findings of functional impairment for a period greater than 48 hours from the time of the concussive incident.”
22,00 Marines have been classified as “mild” TBI victims and only 9,000 have been awarded the Purple Heart.
A medal doesn’t cure TBI, of course, but at least those who are suffering will be recognized for their sacrifice – and that’s part of the healing process, right?
Category: Military issues
I don’t know, IMO any sort of injury, even if it’s not outwardly visible, should be considered for medals.
But my fear is that it will be subjective, and soon anyone can claim a Purple Heart. Kind of like how claims of PTSD seem to have been ‘devalued’ with seemingly anyone being able to claim it.
I defer to those who have ‘been there, done that,’ or who received this medal from war time as their opinions matter more.
There was a phrase I read somewhere, to whom credit belongs I don’t recall (might’ve been Lt. General Krulak): “The Army is about the Army, the Navy is about the Navy, and the Air Force is about the Air Force. The Marine Corps is about the Marines.”
Tman #1: I agree with you, but intend no disrespect to other TBI casualties. The Purple Heart means blood shed to me. Just sacrifice – no!
In this day and age the powers that be could come up with some sort of a award for this. I’d proudly wear it (if they made it retroactive), but MY dad died for his purple heart.
This means more than a medal. The PH opens the door to more benefits for the affected Marines. It also provides the Marines with leverage inside DON and among the other services to ask for more money. Basic advertising campaign goes ‘see all these Marines with PH? They need care, and you other services are going to do what’s right to see that these Marines get care.’
I don’t fault the Marine Corps. Expect to see the Army and other services suddenly change rules regarding medals and TBI soon.
Man, I was walking around Iraq with a concussion for sixteen months. Had a severe head injury about 3 months before our deployment and was constantly dizzy with headaches down at Shelby. I was pretty good when we got in country but every IED that blew near us gave me a crushing headache and dizziness for weeks/a month on end. Never went on sick call about it though. Being put on the sideline as a REMF/fobbit with a concussion would have been so much worse. I hated staying on the FOB.
Don’t forget, Y’all, that Mil-blog voting is now open. Just did my voting, and came back here to click on some ads so Jonn can fill his beer box again.
I’ve always been torn about this…but decided that a brain injury caused by war is the same as a leg, foot, or in my case, a hip and thigh. What’s the difference? As someone above said, and it’s a good case, since the VA now says that anyone that claims PTSD can get it…it worries me. One of my dear young bro’s who’s a 3 tour Corpsman, 2 Iraq, 1 Afghan, told me he had a concussion in the Stan when an IED went off under his vehicle. All inside were wounded but him…he ONLY had a concussion. To me…he was wounded but he says NO. Gotta love him but as a PH recipient, as far as I’m concerned, he earned it. Again, what’s the difference between a physical injury and mental? I’m not sure there is except you can see physical. Now…for the new mental standards….I see the other side. If they were all like Tinoco…then I say give them what they deserve.
Honor and Courage
1AirCav69,
It’s a matter of degree, though I don’t know where that line is drawn. It’s also a matter of choice in some cases – the service member chooses not to pursue diagnosis and its consequences/rewards.
My understanding is TBI goes beyond concussion: 20-30 years down the line, the service member is basically an invalid, rather like football stars who’ve had too many head-hits.
…since the VA now says that anyone that claims PTSD can get it…
A PH? I don’t think so, but I could be wrong — the VA doesn’t exactly keep us in the loop on these things. The rule of thumb for putting in for a PH in my old RVN unit was that you had to be bleeding badly enough to require a hospital stay. Anything less cheapened the PH that our friends got the hard way…
As I said..it’s a tough issue. Bill, a hospital stay was never required for a PH but I understand the logic. I got mine the hard way, which is why I’m torn by this issue. Thousands of Purple Hearts have been awarded for minor schrapnel wounds that needed next to nothing for treatment. It was in combat and the scratch was caused by the enemy. I feel that if the rules say you get one…you get one. I really don’t have an answer and have a problem advocating for either side of the issue…which is unlike me. I usually have no problem picking a side.
A concussion IS a physical injury. It does physical things to the brain. It just doesn’t produce outward blood/guts. As much as I’d hate to see medals devalued, I don’t think this is the case with concussion.
Mommynator….good valid point.
Honor and Courage
I have to agree with Mommynator. The effects of TBI can sometimes take a long to time to manifest itself. I had a friend who played high school football, took some serious hits the head. Found out recently he is showing signs of Alzheimers at 44. Those members of our armed services should get the PH for TBI just like someone taking shrapnel or bullet would get it.