The Long Shadow: Traumatic Brain Injury in America’s Veterans Secrets of Survival (S.O.S.) Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often called the signature injury of America’s post-9/11 wars—but its imprint stretches far beyond the battlefield. In this episode of Secrets of Survival, Dr. Susan Rashid examines the enduring consequences of TBI in veterans, weaving together insights from neuroscience, clinical medicine, and public health. From the blast overpressure of improvised explosive devices to the subtle shearing of axons invisible on routine scans, the episode traces how TBI alters the brain in ways that reverberate for decades. Listeners will hear how chronic pain, psychiatric comorbidities like PTSD, and long-term risks of dementia, epilepsy, and suicide shape the lives of those who served. The discussion expands beyond the clinic to confront social realities, including the heightened risk of homelessness among veterans with TBI—underscoring the injury’s profound impact on both individual and societal health. Grounded in leading scientific research and policy guidelines, this episode outlines the clinical imperatives: screen with rigor, treat pain and psychiatric illness comprehensively, guard against opioid misuse, and plan for the long horizon of neurological and social outcomes. Just as importantly, it highlights the structural responsibilities—ensuring that veterans have access to housing, rehabilitation, and mental health services as essential components of recovery. The Long Shadow: Traumatic Brain Injury in America’s Veterans is not simply about injury—it is about responsibility. With science that is precise, medicine that is integrated, and care that honors dignity and resilience, the shadow of TBI of our veterans can be transformed into a pathway of survival and strength.