Background and Firsthand Observations
As a former [Naval] Special Operations Technician serving in Naval Special Warfare Group One and Marine Reconnaissance and long-time provider to Tier One and Tier Two operators, I have witnessed the invisible wounds carried by warriors long after their missions end. Traumatic brain injury (TBI), whether from blast exposure, breaching, underwater pressure changes, or high-caliber weapons fire, remains one of the most underdiagnosed and undertreated conditions affecting this community. The cumulative effects of mild TBI are too often dismissed until they manifest in serious cognitive, behavioral, and emotional challenges.
Our divers, breachers, and gunners—especially those with repeated deployments—frequently experience the signs of brain trauma: disrupted sleep, mood instability, decreased executive function, and reduced reaction time. These symptoms not only impair post-service quality of life but can compromise mission performance and long-term health.
It may come as a surprise to some, but one of my primary concerns regarding traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the Special Warfare and Special Boat communities is the cumulative impact of open ocean navigation in small boats. Operations such as over-the-horizon insertions—whether launched from submarines or following water parachute jumps—often involve prolonged transit in small inflatable boats. The constant, jarring impact of slamming over waves for hours on end can subject operators to significant repetitive head and neck forces, potentially contributing to mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI).
In my experience, the physical toll of these high-speed, long-duration boat insertions was often greater than the parachuting or even the six-mile swim typically required during training for a rubber duck ship attack. The pounding of open water navigation is an underrecognized, but likely significant, contributor to brain stress in these elite communities.
Current Gaps and DoD Oversight
The recent memorandum from the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (Project No. D2025-DEV0HB-0129.000) rightly seeks to evaluate whether existing protocols effectively identify, assess, and treat TBI in Naval Special Warfare Combat Crewmen. Despite prior efforts, systemic gaps persist in early recognition, individualized care, and long-term monitoring. Traditional screening methods often fail to detect the subtle but significant neurological disruptions seen in this population.
Capabilities at Parker University
At Parker University, through the Parker Performance Institute and our soon-to-launch Human Performance Center, we have assembled an interdisciplinary team equipped to address these complex issues. We offer intensive, integrated care programs specifically tailored to individuals with combat-related TBI and post-concussion syndrome. These include:
Advanced neurological assessment, including functional neuroimaging, cognitive testing, and vestibular diagnostics.
Integrated care teams with neurologists, functional medicine providers, neuropsychologists, and rehabilitation specialists.
Customized recovery protocols including neuromodulation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, and metabolic support.
Our programs are already serving veterans, special operators, and federal agents—those who need restoration of cognitive clarity, operational readiness, and long-term brain health.
Call to Collaborate
We welcome the opportunity to share insights, contribute data, and serve as a resource for both the Inspector General’s office and the broader Department of Defense. Parker University is committed to advancing care and research for those who have sacrificed the most.
We believe we can play a strategic role in identifying scalable solutions and delivering meaningful care. Let us be part of the answer.
Prepared by:
Dr. William E. Morgan
President, Parker University
Former Consultant to the White House and Congress on Chiropractic and Brain Health
Former Hospital-Based Chiropractor to Tier One Operators
