A necessary condition for the behavior of a soldier during combat operations is its predictability and controllability by the unit commander.
At the same time, prolonged exhausting operations in the contact zone reach their goal at the limit of human capabilities, which leads to a decrease in the operational readiness of the combat personnel, namely the cognitive component, level of performance, communication competence, stress resistance, and volitional self-control of the military. During combat operations, the level of neuropsychiatric instability and maladaptive behaviors, such as social passivity, depressive symptoms, anxiety, unregulated spontaneity, and personal instability, may increase.
If the status of a soldier is assessed by the commander, his assessment may be distorted by his personal subjective experience and his own physical and mental state. A wrong decision by a commander in a dangerous situation can have negative consequences for individual soldiers and the unit as a whole. Therefore, it is essential to organize and provide high-quality psychological support and monitoring by specialists who have specialized education and have undergone special training. Psychological support of the military during combat operations is a joint effort of the military psychologist, the commander and the unit headquarters.
The process of psychological support in combat units can be conditionally classified as a preparatory activity, during combat operations and immediately after a combat operation.
The stage of preparatory training for a combat operation includes:
- reviewing the previously determined mental state of military units; selecting those who are not ready for combat operations;
- monitoring the current state of group psychological combat readiness;
- briefing commanders of all levels on behavior during combat operations (unity, trust in the commander, actions in case of panic and stress, treatment of prisoners);
- making proposals in the development of an operational combat plan on the possibilities and limitations of the human factor during combat operations;
- development of a plan for cooperation between military psychologists and representatives of the medical service in situations of assistance to persons with mental disorders.
The list of activities of a psychologist during hostilities includes
- monitoring the situation on the battlefield and direct intervention in crisis situations;
- quick and vigorous response to individual and group cases of panic, fear, desertion, violation of interpersonal relations, order and discipline;
- assistance in cases of injury, illness and death;
- crisis interventions in case of heavy losses and significant trauma of the military;
- analysis and neutralization of enemy psychological and propaganda activities.
List of activities of a psychologist after combat operations:
- analyzing the experience of combat operations, in particular, psychological factors that may affect the outcome of a combat operation;
- conducting recapitulation of stressful events with combat groups that were in the center of the most traumatic events;
- determining the psychological losses of the unit, assistance in resolving cases of psychological trauma;
- psychosocial assistance to military families;
- communication with prisoners of war in accordance with operational tasks.
Currently, the Ministry is preparing an order that will regulate four levels of assistance to members of the Defense Forces.
The first level of assistance will include self-help and mutual aid for soldiers on the contact line.
The second level will involve psychological assistance by professional psychologists near medical centers where there are soldiers who cannot cope with traumatic reactions on their own. If the second level of psychological assistance is ineffective, the victim is recommended to be referred to a hospital for a psychiatric examination.
The third level of psychological assistance is provided to servicemen who do not have a confirmed psychiatric diagnosis, but need to be rehabilitated in a sanatorium or other rehabilitation facility.
And finally, the fourth level of psychological assistance meets the need for decompression measures, which are carried out within 3-7 days after rotation from the combat zone.