Navy SEAL David R. Metcalf is shown here with his wife and son in happy times. Image Credit: Chicago Tribune
An Invisible Epidemic
A concerning pattern of brain damage has been identified among Navy SEALs who have died by suicide, shedding light on the severe and often invisible impacts of their service. Research into the brains of these elite operators has revealed significant traumatic brain injuries (TBI) resulting from repeated exposure to blast waves, even in the absence of combat.
Navy SEALs are frequently exposed to blasts from their weapons, explosives used in breaching operations, and other high-impact activities. These repeated exposures can cause microscopic tears in brain tissue, leading to symptoms like memory loss, headaches, insomnia, and severe mood changes. Many of these symptoms mirror those commonly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Still, recent studies suggest that TBI may be a more accurate diagnosis for many affected SEALs.
One high-profile case is that of Ryan Larkin, a decorated SEAL who took his own life in 2017. Despite numerous combat tours and an array of medals, Larkin struggled with undiagnosed brain injuries. His family reported changes in his behavior and cognitive abilities, which included severe headaches, confusion, and an inability to sleep. A posthumous examination of his brain revealed extensive damage consistent with blast exposure.
A concerning pattern of brain damage has been identified among Navy SEALs who have died by suicide, shedding light on the severe and often invisible impacts of their service. Research into the brains of these elite operators has revealed significant traumatic brain injuries (TBI) resulting from repeated exposure to blast waves, even in the absence of combat.
Navy SEALs are frequently exposed to blasts from their weapons, explosives used in breaching operations, and other high-impact activities. These repeated exposures can cause microscopic tears in brain tissue, leading to symptoms like memory loss, headaches, insomnia, and severe mood changes. Many of these symptoms mirror those commonly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Still, recent studies suggest that TBI may be a more accurate diagnosis for many affected SEALs.
One high-profile case is that of Ryan Larkin, a decorated SEAL who took his own life in 2017. Despite numerous combat tours and an array of medals, Larkin struggled with undiagnosed brain injuries. His family reported changes in his behavior and cognitive abilities, which included severe headaches, confusion, and an inability to sleep. A posthumous examination of his brain revealed extensive damage consistent with blast exposure.
Another case is Chad Wilkinson, a Navy SEAL who also succumbed to his unseen injuries. Wilkinson’s experience highlights the pervasive issue of undiagnosed TBIs among SEALs. Despite his toughness and resilience, Wilkinson’s mental health deteriorated due to the cumulative impact of his service-related injuries, ultimately leading to his suicide.
Over 30,000 active-duty personnel and veterans have died by suicide in the post-9/11 era, including Sara Wilkinson’s husband Navy SEAL Chad Wilkinson.
The Defense Department has acknowledged the severity of this issue, with researchers like Dr. Daniel Daneshvar pointing out that many injuries may go unnoticed until they reach a critical threshold. This delayed recognition often results in misdiagnoses, primarily attributing symptoms to psychiatric disorders rather than underlying physical damage.
David Metcalf’s Story
A recent article in The New York Times told the story of how Physician Assistant and Navy SEAL David Metcalf spent Nearly 20 years in the Navy and suffered multiple traumatic brain injuries in the course of his service. He realized they were having a profound impact on his life, an impact he could no longer live with.
In 2019, Metcalf took his own life in his North Carlina home. Before doing so, he collected a number of books on brain injury and wrote a note to his wife. The note read in part:
“Gaps in Memory, failing recognition, mood swings, headaches, impulsiveness, fatigue, anxiety and paranoia were not who I was, but have become who I am. Each is worsening.”
Attempting not to disrupt the evidence of his problems, Metcalf shot himself in the heart so his brain could be analyzed by medical authorities. The post-mortem examination of Metcalf’s brain showed extensive damage consistent to that seen in repeated blast injuries.
Unfortunately, the SEAL’s message from beyond didn’t reach Naval Special Warfare (NSW) authorities. The lab never sent the reports of its findings, and NSW leadership didn’t ask for them.
The Times story reported that at least a dozen SEALs have committed suicide in the past decade. Eight of their brains have been sent by their families to medical laboratories for examination. Evidence of blast damage was seen in all of them.
Studies on the Living
Fortunately, studies have begun on the brains of SEALs who are still alive. Harvard researchers looked at the brain scans of 30 long-time operators and found damage and altered function in almost all of them.
Read Admiral Keith Davids, commander of Naval Special Warfare commented on the findings. He remarked:
“We have a moral obligation to protect the cognitive health and combat effectiveness of our Teammates. The Navy is trying to limit brain injuries by limiting blast exposure, and is actively participating in medical research.”
Interestingly, the Department of Defense (DoD) spends roughly a billion dollars a year on brain injury research. Still, it fails to follow through and ensure that its findings reach those who may put them to practical use. As a nation, we can and must do better for ALL service members who have suffered traumatic brain injuries in the course of their duties.
The families of these SEALs have become vocal advocates for greater awareness and research into TBIs. They stress the need for better diagnostic tools and treatments tailored to the unique challenges faced by special operators. As the military continues to grapple with these findings, there is a growing call to improve the tracking of blast exposures and develop comprehensive care plans for those affected.
This emerging understanding underscores a crucial aspect of military service: the need to comprehensively address visible and invisible wounds to support veterans’ mental and physical health.
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