Two American soldiers injured during the conflict with Iran are challenging how the Pentagon publicly described their wounds, saying officials significantly understated the severity of their injuries after a deadly Iranian drone attack.
The claims, first reported by CBS News on Wednesday, have renewed questions about how the military classifies combat injuries and communicates the condition of wounded service members to the public.
Soldiers Dispute Pentagon’s Injury Assessment
Earlier this year, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that nearly 90% of the approximately 400 U.S. troops injured during the Iran conflict suffered relatively minor injuries and had already returned to duty.
However, two soldiers interviewed by CBS News say their experiences paint a very different picture.
On March 1, Chief Warrant Officer Rodney Bearman was injured when an Iranian drone struck the area where he was working at Port of Shuaiba in Kuwait.
Records reviewed by CBS News show Bearman endured multiple injuries, including a concussion, shrapnel wounds, lung damage, and problems with his hearing and eyesight. The Army nevertheless reportedly categorized him as “not seriously injured.”
His wife, Amy Bearman, said that assessment failed to reflect the reality of his condition and lengthy recovery.
Another Soldier Raises Similar Concerns
Sergeant First Class Cory Hicks, who survived the same drone strike, also questioned how the Army described his injuries.
Hicks told CBS News that he required multiple emergency surgeries after being wounded in the attack. He said his wife was initially informed that he had sustained only a minor jaw injury and was expected to return to duty.
When asked whether military leaders attempted to minimize what happened, Hicks answered, “Absolutely.”
Nearly four months after the attack, Hicks is still receiving care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as he recovers from what he has called a severe traumatic brain injury.
Bearman has since been transferred to a Soldier Recovery Unit closer to his family as he continues rehabilitation.
Army Pushes Back
The Army strongly rejected the allegations in a statement provided to CBS News.
An Army spokesperson said the military’s top priority is the health and welfare of its soldiers, adding that claims the Army intentionally minimizes service members’ injuries are false.
Military officials maintain they remain committed to providing medical care and long-term support for wounded service members.
Questions Continue
The report has sparked renewed debate over how combat injuries are categorized and whether official casualty reports fully capture the long-term impact many troops face after returning from combat.
While the Army disputes the soldiers’ claims, the interviews have drawn fresh attention to the challenges injured service members often experience long after the fighting ends.
As more details emerge, the discussion is likely to continue over whether the military’s public reporting accurately reflects the sacrifices made by America’s men and women in uniform.