Culmination In The Moral Domain: Combat Stress

This morograph reviews how combat stress became recognized as a type of military impairment and how current Army doctrine addresses the first aid for this emotional wound. Secondly, an overview of combat stress is provided. This overview focuses on the individual, attempting to identify the sources of combat stress the symptoms displayed by soldiers methods of treatment and techniques to control the effects of stress. This overview is then applied at the squad and vehicle crew level. How groups react to combat stress is discussed along with ways to counter its effects through reduction techniques, leadership and stability. Finally, conclusions are presented that attempt to chart a path in terms of doctrine, organization, training, materiel and leader development for stress management in future conflicts.