Deployment Psychology Blog

Staff Perspective: “Complacency Kills”- The Link Between Combat Experiences and Safety Behaviors in War-Related PTSD

By Jeffrey Cook  on 25.01.2017 11:38 am

One of my first memories from my deployment to Fallujah, Iraq was seeing the phrase “Complacency Kills” spray-painted in red on large concrete barriers and signs around the base. This simple phrase was a sober reminder to all who read it to be on guard at all times and men and women in theater rapidly internalized and adapted their behaviors to accommodate its warning.  For many, it not only shaped their mindset and behaviors in theater, but continued to impact their post-deployment lives through the adoption of war-related safety behaviors. 

Guest Perspective: Serving Military and Veteran Couples in Crisis

By Douglas Snyder  on 24.01.2017 11:06 am

I never served. My time would have been during the Vietnam War. But from 1970-1974, I completed my undergraduate studies under a 2-S student deferment; when President Nixon revoked the student deferment with a new draft bill in September 1971, the first to be impacted were men in the Class of ’75 – those a year behind me. When the draft lottery was held in August of 1971 for men in my cohort, I drew #264. (Had I been born on December 4th of 1952 instead of January 4th, I would have drawn #1.) And so I transitioned uninterrupted from undergraduate to graduate studies, completing my doctoral degree three years after the fall of Saigon.

Research Update: Jan. 19, 2017

By Shirl Kennedy  on 19.01.2017 12:19 pm

The CDP's weekly research update contains the latest news, journal articles and useful links from around the web. Some of this week's topics include:

● Effect of directness of exposure and trauma type on Mental Health Literacy of PTSD.
● Psychological and physical pain as predictors of suicide risk: evidence from clinical and neuroimaging findings.

Staff Perspective: A Spotlight on Chronic Pain

By Christopher Adams  on 18.01.2017 12:25 pm

Chronic Pain is a common complaint in Service members and Veterans. Indeed over half of the Veterans returning from service in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom report chronic pain. The harsh physical stresses of the military life can leave lasting effects. Soldiers are often required to carry extremely heavy loads of equipment and gear (which can approach or exceed 100 pounds) for long periods of time. Frequent physical training and exertion can take a toll on the body. Physical discomfort is often overlooked in favor of accomplishing the mission. All of these factors (and many more, common in military life) make it easy to see how Service member and Veterans can be at risk for issues with chronic pain.

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