Pentagon refuses to make brain injury data available

The Pentagon is refusing to release data on how many soldiers have suffered brain injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan. It says disclosing the results would put the lives of those fighting at risk.

The data come from screenings of 1,587 soldiers at Fort Bragg in North Carolina and 9,000 at Fort Carson in Colorado. Army Medical Command spokesman Jaime Cavazos said Wednesday that the results of the tests represent "information the enemy could use to potentially make soldiers more vulnerable to harm." He declined to elaborate.

Come on, you're kidding me right? What information could the enemy possibly use to make soldiers more vulnerable to harm? That people are getting a lot of concussions? Is the enemy going to start throwing bricks and U.S. soldiers heads? I mean they're already trying to kill them. Can someone give me at least one good reason to not release the data?

Pentagon scientists and other health officials have already made public similar data from other installations. Those results show that about 10% of combat troops — and 20% in front-line infantry units — suffered concussions during their tours. The injuries frequently go undiagnosed; multiple concussions can lead to permanent brain damage.