FM 4-02.51 COMBAT AND OPERATIONAL STRESS CONTROL

US Army Field Manual on CD in Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) format.

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What's inside:

This publication outlines the functions and operations of each combat and operational stress control (COSC) element within an area of operations (AO). This field manual (FM) establishes Army doctrine and provides guidance for conducting COSC support for combat, stability, and reconstruction operations from brigade to theater level. The information provided in this publication will assist commanders and their staffs to operate efficiently at all levels of command and throughout the operational continuum. It may be used by medical planners to supplement FM 4-02, FM 8-42 (4-02.42), and FM 8-55 (4-02.55). Users of this publication should be familiar with Army Regulation (AR) 40-216 and with FM 4-02, FM 4-02.6, FM 4-02.10, FM 4-02.21, FM 4-02.24, FM 6-22.5, FM 8-10-6, FM 8-10-14, and FM 22-51.

The staffing and organization structure presented in this publication reflects those established in the base tables of organization and equipment (base TOE) and are current as of the publication print date. Such staffing is subject to change to comply with manpower requirements criteria outlined in AR 71-32. Those requirements criteria are also subject to change if the modification table of organization and equipment (MTOE) is significantly altered.

This FM applies to the Active Army, the Army National Guard (ARNG)/Army National Guard of the United States (ARNGUS), and the United States Army Reserve (USAR) unless otherwise stated.

Introduction

In our own Soldiers and in the enemy combatants, control of stress is often the decisive difference between victory and defeat across the operational continuum. Battles and wars are won more by controlling the will to fight than by killing all of the enemy combatants. Uncontrolled combat stress causes erratic or harmful behaviors, impair mission performance, and may result in disaster and defeat of COSC preventive measures. The COSC preventive measures are aimed at minimizing maladaptive stress reactions while promoting adaptive stress reactions, such as loyalty, selflessness, and acts of bravery.

This manual provides doctrinal guidance for controlling excessive stress in combat and other operational environments. It identifies command and leadership responsibilities for COSC. It identifies COSC consultation, training, and education assistance available for units. This manual provides definitive guidance to BH personnel and CSC units for their COSC mission and for management of COSR and other behavioral disordered patients (BDPs). It identifies the requirements for COSC consultation, planning, coordination, rehearsal, and implementation of the COSC plan contained in the FHP annex of the operation order (OPORD).

Many stressors in a combat situation are due to deliberate enemy actions aimed at killing, wounding, or demoralizing our Soldiers and our allies. Other stressors are due to the operational environment. Some of these stressors can be avoided or counteracted by wise command actions. Still other stressors are due to our own calculated or miscalculated choice, accepted in order to exert greater stress on the enemy. Sound leadership works to keep stressors within tolerable limits and prepares the troops mentally and physically to endure them. Some of the most potent stressors can be due to personal organizational problems in the unit or on the home front. These, too, must be identified and, when possible, corrected or controlled. Unit needs assessments (UNAs) can help BH providers identify specific stressor in a unit and develop interventions to help unit personnel cope.

This manual identifies MH sections and medical units, CSC, that provides COSC support to units. It identifies the requirements for COSC assistance, as a unit transitions through the different phases of a deployment. Chaplains, commander, leader and COSC Soldier mentors provide assistance with afteraction review (AAR) and traumatic events management (TEM).

PAGES: 116

PUBLICATION DATE: JULY, 2006

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