Waves, War, And The Hidden Cost

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What is the hidden cost of fighting wars at sea?
In this episode of The Broken Brains Podcast, host Bruce Parkman sits down with retired U.S. Navy SWCC operator Anthony Smith to expose the long-term neurological damage caused by repetitive blast exposure and high-impact boat operations. They discuss how years of sustained force on the water can lead to traumatic brain injury (TBI), diffuse axonal injury, and what’s now known as operator syndrome. This conversation sheds light on why many veterans are misdiagnosed, under-treated, or ignored—and why awareness, advocacy, and better treatment options are urgently needed.

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Chapters

00:00 – Why Repetitive Brain Trauma Is Being Missed
02:22 – Anthony Smith’s SWCC Background
03:25 – The Physical Toll of Fast-Boat Operations
08:56 – What SWCC Operators Actually Experience
14:28 – Diffuse Axonal Injury Explained
18:54 – Survey Data on SWCC Cognitive Decline
22:21 – Military Discharges and Health Gaps
23:58 – Sustainability in Operator Health
28:24 – Beyond Pharmaceuticals: New Treatment Approaches
32:26 – VA Disability and TBI Claims
39:21 – The Future of Operator Brain Health
43:44 – Advocacy, Awareness, and Community Action

Connect with Anthony Today!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-smith-m-a-03027121/

Website: https://millenniumhealthstore.com

Operator Syndrome: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32052666/

Produced by Security Halt Media