The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (ASD(R&E)) establishes procedures to ensure new technology developed under the Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) is effectively transitioned and integrated into systems and transferred to DoD components; chairs the Armed Services Biomedical Research, Evaluation and Management (ASBREM) Community of Interest (COI); oversees the functions of the Department of Defense (DoD) Executive Agent (EA); and serves as the final approving authority for DoD blast injury research programs.
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (ASD(HA)) assists in requirements development; assesses and coordinates relevant research efforts to resolve capability gaps; approves Military Health System (MHS) blast injury prevention, mitigation, and treatment standards; appoints representatives to Department of Defense (DoD) Executive Agent (EA) coordination boards and committees; and ensures the information systems capabilities of the MHS support the EA.
The Secretary of the Army (SECARMY) was designated as the Department of Defense (DoD) Executive Agent (EA) for Medical Research for Prevention, Mitigation, and Treatment of Blast Injuries. In 2007, the SECARMY delegated authority and assigned EA responsibility to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT)). The ASA(ALT) further delegated authority and assigned responsibility to the Commander, US Army Medical Command (USAMEDCOM).
The Commander, USAMEDCOM, as the delegated Executive Agent (EA), coordinates and manages DoD blast injury research efforts and programs by:
- Maintaining a DoD technology base for medical research related to blast injuries
- Performing programming and budgeting actions for all blast injury research based on analysis and prioritization of DoD component needs
- Providing medical recommendations on Military Health System (MHS) blast injury prevention, mitigation, and treatment standards
- Executing the approved DoD Blast Injury Research Program
- Ensuring that blast injury research information is shared
The Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Air Force assist in requirements development and coordinate all blast injury research efforts and requirements through the Executive Agent (EA).
The President of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) ensures education relating to blast injury prevention, mitigation, and treatment is included in the USU medical education curriculum and programs. The president coordinates all blast injury research efforts and requirements through the Executive Agent (EA), and appoints representatives to any coordination boards or committees related to blast injury research.
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) coordinates all blast injury efforts and requirements through the Executive Agent; appoints a senior member to the Armed Services Biomedical Research, Evaluation and Management (ASBREM) Community of Interest (COI); and appoints representatives to any coordination boards or committees related to blast injury research.
The Commander, United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) establishes procedures for the coordination of Defense Major Force Program 11 activities with those of the Executive Agent (EA); forwards that Command's approved blast injury research requirements to the DoD EA; and appoints representatives to the Armed Services Biomedical Research, Evaluation and Management (ASBREM) Community of Interest (COI) and any other coordination boards or committees related to blast injury research.
The Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO), now known as the Joint Improvised Threat Defense Agency (JIDA), supported the development, maintenance, and usage of a joint database on the efficacy of theater Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and vehicular equipment designed to protect against blast injury by helping to establish the Joint Trauma Analysis and Prevention of Injuries in Combat (JTAPIC) Program. The JTAPIC Program fulfills the intent of a "joint database" by providing a process that enables data sharing and analysis across communities. Continuing responsibilities include identifying related operational and research needs, coordinating research efforts to resolve capability gaps, and appointing representatives to the Armed Services Biomedical Research, Evaluation and Management (ASBREM) Community of Interest (COI) and any other coordination boards or committees related to blast injury research.
