The Associated Press reported that the majority of these troops were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries and subsequently returned to duty after receiving medical treatment. The extensive deployment of Iranian missiles and drones has intensified worries within the US military, as detonations near American forces raise the potential threat of blast-induced brain injuries. According to data from the U.S. military, over 500,000 American soldiers were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) between 2000 and 2025. Shearer recently revealed to the Associated Press that he was diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries stemming from two explosions during his 2005 deployment to Iraq. Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin has raised concerns that certain injured US military personnel have experienced delays of several weeks before receiving screenings or specialized care for traumatic brain injuries.