H.R. 5188 — To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish blast safety officer positions in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force.

This section directs the Secretary of Defense to establish blast safety officer positions in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force not later than September 30, 2026. The section specifies duties for such officers—in accordance with blast safety standards established under sec. 735 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (P.L. 117-263)—including (1) monitoring and mitigating blast and overpressure exposure during live-fire or explosive exercises (with authority to halt exercises exceeding safe thresholds); (2) briefing personnel on health risks and mitigation protocols; (3) overseeing personal protective equipment and wearable sensors; (4) investigating incidents and coordinating with health care providers; (5) maintaining exposure logs; and (6) coordinating with range safety officers. The section further requires the Secretary of each military department to assign a blast safety officer to each special mission unit and mandates training and certification in blast safety for such officers. (Thus, the provision aims to reduce blast-related injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, sustained by service members during training.)