Unresolved Gaps in LSCO: Revisiting Psychological Injury in Combat
Abstract
The US Army has gained much of its current understanding of psychological injury, especially the central role of trauma in causing the injury, in the backdrop of recent conflicts. However, recent conflicts have not always resembled past high-intensity conflicts when psychological injury rates were staggering. As the US Army pivots its doctrine and organization back to large-scale combat operations that resemble past conflicts, it is the right time to revisit psychological injury in combat to ensure that today's measures will hold up to yesterday's war. This monograph revisits psychological injury in combat and asks if a century's worth of misunderstanding masked its prevalence, shaped the current approach towards its treatment, and if current efforts are sufficient to prepare soldiers for the inevitability of facing this old foe in combat. A survey of the current US Army landscape reveals that the prevalence is indeed known. However, some language and narrative continue to detract. Also, the myriad of defunct and existing programs, as well as the existing treatment philosophy and capacity, do not always comport with the contemporary understanding of psychological injury. Concerning large-scale combat operations, the issue of psychological injury in combat remains unresolved.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 20, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1161819
Entities
People
- Ike M. Ukachi
Organizations
- School of Advanced Military Studies