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Pattern of brain damage is pervasive in Navy SEALs who died by suicide (nytimes.com)

663 points by thelastgallon · 772 days ago · 575 comments on HN

Article summary

A recent study found a pattern of brain damage in Navy SEALs who died by suicide, which was previously unknown to the Navy. The study's findings were only shared with the Navy after being reported by The Times. The brain damage is believed to be caused by the blast energy wave from explosives bouncing off differently dense brain tissue sections, leading to cavitation. This issue highlights the need for better understanding and support for military personnel's occupational safety and mental health.

Main themes

  • Military Mental Health
  • Occupational Safety
  • Brain Damage
  • Military Service
  • War and Conflict
  • Gender Equality

What commenters say

  • The military's lack of awareness about the brain damage suffered by Navy SEALs is a significant concern that needs to be addressed.
  • The issue of brain damage in military personnel is a result of inadequate occupational safety measures and equipment.
  • Registering women for the draft is a matter of gender equality and would ensure that the burden of military service is shared equally among all citizens.
  • The idea that women are only valuable for their ability to bear children is a discriminatory and outdated view that should not be used to justify exempting them from military service.
  • The US military's capabilities and doctrine are not sufficient to guarantee a quick and easy victory in a potential war with a peer rival like China or Russia.
  • The use of trench warfare is still a relevant and effective tactic in modern warfare, despite advances in military technology and strategy.
  • The discussion around military service and war is complex and multifaceted, and cannot be reduced to simple assumptions or solutions.
  • The potential consequences of a large-scale war, including the use of nuclear weapons, are catastrophic and should be a major concern for policymakers and citizens alike.