FM 8-51 Combat Stress Control in a Theater of Operations

FM 8-51 Combat Stress Control in a Theater of Operations outlines the functions and operations of each combat and operational stress control (COSC) element within an area of operations (AO). This field manual (FM) establishes Army doctrine and provides guidance for conducting COSC support for combat, stability, and reconstruction operations from brigade to theater level.

The information provided in this publication will assist commanders and their staffs to operate efficiently at all levels of command and throughout the operational continuum.

FM 8-51 Combat Stress Control may be used by medical planners to supplement FM 4-02, FM 8-42 (4-02.42), and FM 8-55 (4-02.55). Users of this publication should be familiar with Army Regulation (AR) 40-216 and with FM 4-02, FM 4-02.6, FM 4-02.10, FM 4-02.21, FM 4-02.24, FM 6-22.5, FM 8-10-6, FM 8-10-14, and FM 22-51.

I am a big believer in stress management, I personally have taken multiple critical incident stress debriefing and management courses.  I currently teach classes on this topic.  Understanding combat stress and its civilian twin critical incident stress is vital preparation for dealing with emergencies.  If you don’t know what is going on in your head then you can’t possibly deal with what is going on outside it.