Deployment Psychology Blog

Staff Perspective: The Lingering Why

By Kristyn Heins  on 20.08.2025 10:35 am
Dr. Kristyn Heins

Any parent would tell you the “why” questions start when we are young, usually around two- or three-years-old. The constant need to know the reason behind function, choices, and existence is inherent in us. We want to understand, and maybe if we can understand something, we feel more comfortable with it. The question of “why” helps us understand our surroundings, and this curiosity keeps us learning and growing.

By the Numbers: 18 August 2025

By Shirl Kennedy  on 18.08.2025 10:21 am

$47,838 and $85,872
The "average annual pay" for "a single mid-grade enlisted servicemember (E-5)" in 2025, and his or her average "regular military compensation" (RMC). RMC is "a statutorily defined measure of the cash or in-kind compensation elements which all servicemembers receive every payday. It is widely used as a basic measure of military cash compensation levels and for comparisons with civilian salary levels," according to a recently updated Defense Primer from the Congressional Research Service on Regular Military Compensation.

Research Update: 14 August 2025

By Shirl Kennedy  on 14.08.2025 1:14 pm
Research Update icon

The weekly Research Update contains the latest news, journal articles, and useful links from around the web. Some of this week's topics include:
● Body Dissatisfaction Is Central to Military Eating Disorder Pathology: A Multi- Time-Point Network Analysis.
● Cognitive Behavioral Therapy App, Resting State Functional Connectivity, and Anxiety.
● Psychopathology and Gaming Disorder in Adolescents.

Staff Perspective: Sleep is for the Strong - Empowering Service Members Through Shared Decision Making

By Jaime Rodden  on 13.08.2025 11:52 am

Sleep isn’t just a personal health issue for service members; it’s a mission-critical factor that affects unit cohesion, operational performance, and overall force readiness. Yet for years, military culture sent a different message. Pushing through exhaustion was worn like a badge of honor, and phrases like “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” were all too common. Sleep deprivation was seen as a sign of toughness rather than a threat to mission success. Thankfully, the conversation is shifting.

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