“How far can we take the ability of our brains if we actually focused on training it like we do our bodies?” -Morgan Luttrell, Navy SEAL
The experiences of combat can leave lasting marks, both visible and invisible. Many of the finest police officers have combat experience, bringing a unique understanding forged in the crucible of the battlefield. However, the transition back to civilian life can be fraught with challenges, and many warriors carry scars – seen and unseen.
One tragic example is the case of Eddie Routh, the man accused of fatally shooting Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield. Kyle, the author of the bestseller American Sniper, had befriended Routh and was attempting to help him deal with the emotional wounds of war [1]. This highlights the critical need to address the mental health challenges faced by veterans.
The Center for Brain Health at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) is shifting away from the term “disorder” when discussing Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), recognizing traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a medical condition requiring treatment. Their research focuses on developing practical solutions for these challenges. Given that many veterans transition into law enforcement, a profession with its own potential for PTS, this research is particularly relevant.
Angus McColl, USN (retired), and Assistant Vice President, Corporate Relations at UTD, has provided valuable insights into this area. Information from McColl, along with excerpts from the Brain Performance Institute’s White Paper report [2], sheds light on the symptoms of PTS, which can include:
Reintegration challenges often stem from:
The Brain Performance Institute’s Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training (SMART) program, developed from over 30 years of cognitive research, offers a promising solution. This program has demonstrated significant improvements in the lives of veterans with TBI. After a relatively short training period, participants learn to:
Furthermore, the Center for Brain Health is conducting a non-pharmaceutical treatment study for PTS, utilizing repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) to reduce the hyper-emotional fear response associated with traumatic memories. Preliminary data indicates a significant reduction in the Clinician Administered PTS Scale (CAPS) score among research participants, both one month and six months post-treatment [3]. The study also found a significant reduction in depression symptoms, suggesting a potential “dual” treatment effect.
For more information about participating in the study, visit http://www.brainhealth.utdallas.edu/research/participate/.
Published research in Cerebral Cortex has already demonstrated the effectiveness of the high-performance brain-training program [4]. Since mid-2013, the Brain Performance Institute has provided assessments and/or training to over 100 warriors. Previous research showed a 20% improvement in functional skills, covering daily life activities such as finances, social life, organizational skills, home life, and job retention. Warrior participants also reported a 50% improvement in mood. These gains have been maintained and even improved at six months post-training, suggesting long-lasting cognitive benefits and improved life skills.
The program aims to reach as many veterans as possible, regardless of a TBI diagnosis. Recognizing that brain injuries without prolonged loss of consciousness are often missed in the battlefield, access to the program is not limited to those with a medical diagnosis. The training is most effective for those beyond the acute phase of brain injury (at least three months post-injury), offering help to warriors struggling even years after the event. Services are available to men and women at any stage in the military, with an immediate focus on veterans returning to civilian life.
To further assist veterans, the Brain Performance Institute deploys teams of skilled trainers to mobile locations across the nation to:
Pre- and post-training assessments will measure improvements in brain function, cognitive operations, and their application to daily life. These improvements demonstrate the value of the training. Veterans are valuable assets whose talents should be nurtured and leveraged for the benefit of the nation.
Jake Schick, a third-generation Marine, experienced the harsh realities of combat firsthand. After being severely injured by a triple-stack tank mine, his transition to civilian life was challenging. However, his participation in SMART proved to be a transformative experience. He described it as “tactical therapy—swift and silent,” and found it more effective than medication or traditional therapy. Jake’s story is just one example of the inspiring outcomes of the SMART program.
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