"Fit to Fight" Is Post Traumatic Stress Decreasing our Readiness

Abstract

This paper examines the Operational Tempo (OPTEMPO) of US forces since Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. By reviewing historical documentation and troop surveys, it discusses stress impacts to soldiers and family members, including domestic violence, divorce rate trends, and suicide statistics. Finally, the paper examines policies and procedures necessary to effectively manage deployment times, durations to minimize post traumatic stress, and propose recommended changes. Concerns which impact the problem include: - Force Structure to adequately support the ongoing fight on Global Terrorism, - Dwell time of redeploying soldiers, - Follow on assignments of redeploying soldiers, - Retention / recruitment of quality soldiers. Leaders have asked more from of their soldiers and family members than they have in more than thirty years. By understanding the impacts that extended deployments have in domestic violence and other potential post traumatic stress symptoms, senior leadership can better emplace measures to care for their most precious resource, their people.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 03, 2007
Accession Number
ADA493574

Entities

People

  • Charles Honore

Organizations

  • University of Texas at Austin

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Afghanistan Conflict
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Combat Operations
  • Domestic Violence
  • Dwell Time
  • Employment
  • Families (Human)
  • Health Services
  • Iraqi-War
  • Medical Personnel
  • Personnel Management
  • Statistics
  • Students
  • Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military Leadership and Professional Education.
  • Psychological Intervention/Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, and Related Emotional and Cognitive Health Symptoms.
  • Strategic Security Studies