OperationalStress

ControlBrief

EOD MissionRender safe and dispose of all types of bombs, explosives and weapons.

Stress Continuum

Model

Components of OSC

Combat and Operational Stress

First Aid (COSFA)

Five Core Leader

Functions

Overview DOD ObjectivesCombat & Operational Stress Control (COSC) is leader-focused actions and responsibilities to promote resilience and psychological health in Sailors, Marines and families exposed to the stress of routine or wartime military operations.

DOD Objectives:Prevent or minimize stress injuries

Facilitate healing to minimize war-fighting gaps

Promote resilience

Reduce stigma

Maintain a ready fighting force

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Sailor MaintenanceWe maintain a lot of things.

What do we do to maintain our Sailors and their families?

Maintenance is always easier than repair.

Know your members, know your team.

A Stressed Sailor Means a Stressed Home

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Define StressThe process by which we respond to challenges to our minds and bodies.

Stress is good, stress is normal, stress keeps us sharp, stress keeps us focused.

What is Stress?The physiological effects of stress on the body

ReactingReady Injured Ill

Adaptive coping

Optimal functioning

Wellness

FeaturesWell trained and prepared

Fit and focused

In control

Optimally effective

Behaving ethically

Having fun

Mild and transient distress of loss of optimal

functioning

Always goes away

Low risk for illness

FeaturesIrritable, angry

Anxious or depressed

Physically too pumped up or tired

Reduced self control

Poor focus

Poor sleep

Not having fun

Persistent and disabling distress or loss of function

Clinical mental disorder

Unhealed stress injuries

TypesPTSD

Depression

Anxiety

Substance abuse

FeaturesSymptoms and disability persist over many weeks

Symptoms and disability get worse over time

More severe and persistent distress or lossLeaves a “scar”

Higher risk for illness

CausesLife threat, Loss

Inner conflict, Wear and tear

FeaturesPanic or rage

Loss of control of body or mind

Can’t sleepRecurrent nightmares or bad

memoriesPersistent shame, guilt

or blameLoss of moral values

and beliefs

STRESS

Unit leader Responsibility

Caregiver Responsibility

Individual, shipmate, family Responsibility

The Operational Stress Continuum

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Life Threat

A trauma injury

Due to events provoking terror,

helplessness, horror, shock

Wear and Tear

A fatigue injury

Due to the accumulation of stress over time

Inner Conflict

A beliefs injury

Due to conflict between

moral/ethical beliefs and

current experiences

Loss

A grief injury

Due to loss of people who are

cared about

What is an Orange Zone Indicator?

Recent Stressor Events: Recent exposure to events with high potential to cause trauma, grief or moral injury

Verbalized Distress: Significant and persistent distress, such as fear, anger, anxiety, sadness, guilt or shame

Changes in Function: Significant and persistent changes in physical, mental, social or spiritual responses

How to Recognize Who Needs Help:Orange Zone Indicators

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Combat and Operational Stress First Aid

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Seven Cs of Stress First AidContinuous Aid 1. Check Assess, Observe and Listen 2. Coordinate Get Help, Refer as Needed

Primary Aid 3. Cover Get to Safety ASAP 4. Calm Relax, Slow Down, Refocus

Secondary Aid 5. Connect Get Support from Others 6. Competence Restore Effectiveness 7. Confidence Restore Self-Esteem and Hope

Combat and Operational Stress First AidCOSFA

Reacting InjuredSTRESS

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COSFA on the Stress Continuum

Promotes a sense of safety

Promotes calming

Promotes connectedness

ReactingReady Injured IllSTRESS

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Stress Continuum Model

Move to the GREEN

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ScenarioEOD 3 Jones has received his orders to deploy to Afghanistan three months after his graduation. He knows he has no choice, but he has a newborn and a worrisome wife at home. He wants to go to Afghanistan for professional reasons, but he does not want to leave his wife at home alone during work-ups and the six-month deployment. While he is preparing for deployment, HM3 has some sleep problems and some difficulty focusing on his final exams. He and his wife are arguing frequently about “little things.”

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EOD3 Kim is under going an accelerated deployment workup. He just returned from a TAD where he spent too much money resulting in financial problems, and his girlfriend is…..EOD3 Kim is anxious and distracted and not as engaged with the unit. His relationship and financial situation are concerns.

Scenario

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EOD2 Deuce was assigned to conduct forensic analysis following an IED explosion killing 8 children. He had to remove body parts to locate and retrieve evidence.

Scenario

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Five Core Leader Functions

Five Core Leader FunctionsStrengthen

Leadership that is Firm, Fair, a Source of Courage, Communicates Plans and Listens

Expose to Tough, Realistic Training

Foster Unit Cohesion

MitigateRemove Unnecessary Stressors

Ensure Adequate Sleep and Rest

Conduct After-Action Review (AAR) in Small Groups

IdentifyKnow Crew Stress Load

Recognize Reactions, Injuries and Illness

TreatRest and Restoration (24-72 Hours)

Chaplain

Medical

ReintegrateKeep with Unit if at all Possible

Expect Return to Full Duty

Don’t Allow Retribution or Harassment

Communicate with Treating Professionals (Both Ways)

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Common Barriers to Manage StressWhat is keeping you from getting the help you need?

Building Resiliency

READY

REACTING

INJURED

ILL

Healthy

Staying GreenFactors that promote Resilience

Fitness Spirituality Learning and making meaning Acceptance of limits Positive outlook Active coping Self-confidence Energy Management

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ResourcesNCCOSCwww.nccosc.navy.mil

Defense Center of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injurywww.dcoe.health.mil

FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress)www.focusproject.org

Military OneSourcewww.militaryonesource.com TRICARE Assistance Program (TRIAP)www.tricare.mil/TRIAP

Navy Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC)www.nffsp.org

Suicide Preventionwww.suicide.navy.mil

Questions, Answers and Surveys

Thank youBrian Schrack, EODCS

OperationalStress

ControlBrief

Questions, Answers and Surveys

OperationalStress

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