Blast Overpressure: Risk Mitigation for Maximum Performance

*This article was edited with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Final review and editing were conducted by authorized DoW personnel to ensure accuracy, clarity, and compliance with DoW policies and guidance.

*The contents of this article do not represent the official views of, nor are they endorsed by, the U.S. Army, the Department of War, or the U.S. government.



Published 1/28/2026
By Colonel Jodie L. Kunkel 

SUBJ/URGENT ALARACT 022/2022 – BREACHING BLAST OVERPRESSURE EXPOSURE FOR PERSONNEL SAFETY MESSAGE: Recent medical and scientific studies have yielded dramatic insights into the effects of Blast Overpressure on physical and neurological health as well as combat efficiency. These studies indicate that current safety mitigation measures for explosive breaching as outlined in doctrine TM 3-34.82 are inadequate and expose the force to unnecessary risks….All breaching events using energetics will limit personnel single overpressure exposure to 3 PSI….During training operations and/or multiple exposures, it is recommended that Soldiers further reduce overpressure exposure to no more than 2 PSI.¹

In 2024, the Department of War (DoW)—formerly the Department of Defense—and the Department of the Army published new requirements aimed at increasing awareness, improving understanding, and driving materiel solutions to reduce and monitor blast overpressure (BOP) effects on personnel. This guidance builds on the All Army Activities (ALARACT) published in 2022 and reflects the DoW and Army’s overarching strategy: mitigate BOP risk while preserving operational readiness.^2,3

BOP is the sharp rise in atmospheric pressure produced by an explosive detonation or weapon firing, generating a shock wave that travels faster than the speed of sound. Figure 1 illustrates a typical pressure-versus-time curve of a typical blast wave at a singular point, showing an instantaneous rise in pressure (peak overpressure), followed by an exponential decay toward zero and a subsequent period of negative pressure (underpressure). Although not depicted, rarefaction (release) waves and reflective waves—created as the blast interacts with surrounding structures—are also present.  Impulse, defined as force exerted over time, is measured across the duration of the blast event, while peak pressure represents the highest pressure recorded. Reflective waves vary based on the environment and can significantly influence the overall blast profile. While understanding blast-wave physics is essential for breaching and demolition operations, this article focuses on the health effects experienced by personnel within the blast radius.

Why does understanding the characteristics of the blast wave matter? Peak pressures above 4 pounds per square inch (PSI) can cause injury. For example, a pressure differential of approximately 5 PSI across the eardrum can result in rupture, and exposure to 15 PSI can lead to lung damage. Current research indicates that personnel should avoid any exposure exceeding 4 PSI. As PSI increases, so does the risk of brain injury, lung or kidney damage, and gastrointestinal disruption. Repeated exposure below the 4-PSI threshold—or exposure to any component of the blast wave—may also contribute to chronic health issues over time. These can include tinnitus, irritability, memory and concentration difficulties, and sleep disturbances (see fig. 2). Such conditions are challenging to diagnose because their signs and symptoms overlap with those of other genetic or environmental factors (such as dementia or prolonged exposure to high-noise environments). Additionally, the medical and industrial hygiene communities still lack a definitive threshold at which symptoms begin to manifest. This uncertainty is a key driver behind the development of the Cognitive Monitoring Program (CMP) for BOP. 

Cognitive Monitoring Program

The CMP is the Army’s prescribed method for tracking brain health. Cognitive testing began in 2007, initially focused on predeployment and postinjury assessments to address brain injuries associated with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) encountered during deployments. In June 2024, as part of the shift toward continuous monitoring across a Soldier’s career, the Army began establishing cognitive baselines for all new Soldiers at training installations. The current assessment tool is the Neurocognitive Assessment Tool (NCAT), similar to its predecessor the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM). Each individual’s baseline is unique, and comparisons with subsequent assessments help identify cognitive changes over time.

The August 8, 2024, DoD Policy Memorandum for Managing Brain Health Risks from Blast Overpressure identifies several occupational specialties at increased risk of BOP. These include Engineer–General Engineer Officer (12A) and Combat Engineer (12B); Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Officers and Specialists (74A/D); Military Police (31B); and Explosive Ordinance Disposal Officers and Technicians (89A/D) among others, including civilian equivalents. Soldiers and civilians in any military occupational specialty (MOS) who serve as instructors on BOP-producing weapon systems are also considered high-risk. Within the Army Engineer Regiment, Bridge Crewmembers (12Cs) and Quarry Specialists (12Gs) warrant inclusion due to their routine work with explosives.⁴

The memorandum also lists high-BOP-producing weapon systems, such as the M2A1 .50-caliber machine gun, the M136A1 anti-tank 4 (AT4), and various breaching explosives. Personnel assigned to these systems are likewise at increased risk. High-risk Soldiers must complete an annual cognitive reassessment, while all others are required to retest at least every three years. Similar to annual hearing evaluations, cognitive monitoring is only reported to medical providers when a deviation from a baseline is detected. Commanders can track their units’ cognitive assessments through the Medical Protection System (MEDPROS) Commander’s Portal under the NCAT indicator..^5,6

In addition to ANAM testing, the Army is developing wearable blast sensors. U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command (T2COM), working in coordination with the functional communities, is refining the requirements for these sensors across the total Army. This effort, combined with ongoing market research and related initiatives, will help shape the next steps of the program. Once fielded, these wearables will provide critical blast-exposure data to Soldiers, commanders, and the medical community.

Leadership Responsibilities 

Demo Range Mitigations

Exposed to BOP?