Posted on May 15, 2015
Marine's combat stress program determined to be ineffective. Why not scrap it?
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A new study found that the Corps' stress control and readiness program — while popular with commanders — has no positive impact on Marines' mental health. However, Marine officials say they plan to continue using an improved version of the program into the post-Afghanistan era.
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/2015/05/14/rand-study-finds-usmc-combat-stress-program-ineffective/27311863/
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/2015/05/14/rand-study-finds-usmc-combat-stress-program-ineffective/27311863/
Combat
Stress
Marine Corps
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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MSGT Allan Folsom provided a great response below..."like-minded people sharing experiences" might be the most beneficial solution? Whom better to understand a service members struggles than another service member who dealt with the same situation? I do believe there's a great deal of merit to peer-2-peer mentoring. Caveat: with constructive frame work. Dealing with issues constructuvely through discussions and activities (minus alcohol or other) may be the best solution.
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One goal of mental health is consistency. Although it may not be the most effective now, improving it by finding inefficiencies seems to be a better option to maintain service members who need that sense of belonging and support of not being alone in the mental fight.
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I think this line of the article is why:
"While the study did find Marines in OSCAR-trained battalions to be more likely to report seeking help from fellow Marine unit members and corpsmen to deal with personal stress, they were not more likely to seek help from outside medical providers. "
It may not be meeting its stated goal but it's doing something good, and they want to refine that piece.
"While the study did find Marines in OSCAR-trained battalions to be more likely to report seeking help from fellow Marine unit members and corpsmen to deal with personal stress, they were not more likely to seek help from outside medical providers. "
It may not be meeting its stated goal but it's doing something good, and they want to refine that piece.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
Good point Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS. Hopefully it is that and not simply because the "program is popular with commanders" (which, as we all know, is one reason why many programs such as this outlive their usefulness).
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad My hope as well, but I try to be optimistic about these things. I'm hoping it's the see something say something idea. "Smitty's not doing so well 1stSgt, we need to get him in to see the Chaplain ASAP."
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http://www.mightyoaksprograms.org is an amazing group. It is FREE to all veterans.
“To restore the brokenhearted through Christ, to build leaders of leaders to rise up from the ashes; they will be called Mighty Oaks of Righteousness.”
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It certainly is not an easy issue to tackle. Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations and not everyone is stressed by the same things. There is likely an element of "whe have to do something" so they will keep doing this even if it is not highlyh effective.
I think we need to swim further up stream and look at all facets of training. Are we training realistically enough. Is it hard enough, are Marines stressed enough in training that they are more prepared to handle the real thing. Trying to fix this after the fact is very difficult.
I think we need to swim further up stream and look at all facets of training. Are we training realistically enough. Is it hard enough, are Marines stressed enough in training that they are more prepared to handle the real thing. Trying to fix this after the fact is very difficult.
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