The Department of Defense has officially updated its mental health policy to incorporate permanent safeguards under the Brandon Act. This move replaces an older, temporary directive with a standardized regulation that applies across all military branches. The change allows service members to request a confidential command referral for a mental health evaluation directly through their supervisor or a leader at the E-6 level or higher.
Under these new rules, service members can seek an evaluation for any reason, including personal distress or concerns about their ability to function. They are not required to disclose the specific reason for their request to their chain of command. Once a request is made, the supervisor is required to facilitate the referral as soon as possible to ensure timely access to care.
The policy also mandates annual training for both leaders and service members to help them identify signs that someone may need a mental health evaluation, is at risk of self-harm, or poses a danger to others. This initiative follows years of advocacy by Patrick and Teri Caserta after the 2018 death of their son, Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Caserta.
While this move represents a significant update to military instruction, some critics and family advocates note that it still misses the mark for service members transitioning out of the military. The Brandon family and several lawmakers continue to push for additional changes to address the critical first year after leaving the service, as well as to ensure that the mandated training is consistently implemented across the force.