This field manual provides important information for all leaders and staff on the control of combat stressors and the prevention of stress casualties. It identifies the leaders' responsibilities for controlling and recognizing the effects of stress on their personnel, and reviews Army operational doctrine for war and operations other than war. It identifies likely stressors and recommends actions for leaders to implement for the prevention and management of stress. The manual describes the positive and negative combat behaviour associated with stress and provides leader actions to minimize battle fatigue risk factors. This handbook provides the many different military branches and disciplines with a common conceptual framework, knowledge base, and vocabulary, so that they can all work together toward controlling stress. It provides information on how stressors and the stress process can interact to either improve or disrupt military performance. It identifies the supporting role of special staff members such as the chaplain and the Judge Advocate General.
This manual also identifies the responsibilities of medical personnel for prevention, treatment and management of battle fatigue and stress-related casualties.