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Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps

Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps

Operational Stress Control Part 1Operational Stress Control Part 1

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ObjectivesObjectives

• Define stress.• Define terms associated with stress.• Identify the causes of stress.• Explain the Stress Continuum Model.• Recognize common reactions in self and others

to operational stress as identified in the Stress Continuum Model.

• Apply Stress Continuum Model in different examples.

• Define stress.• Define terms associated with stress.• Identify the causes of stress.• Explain the Stress Continuum Model.• Recognize common reactions in self and others

to operational stress as identified in the Stress Continuum Model.

• Apply Stress Continuum Model in different examples.

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Definition of StressDefinition of Stress

Dictionary’s:

Stress is a mental, emotional or physical strain or tension

Navy’s Definition: The process by which we respond to challenges to the body or mind.

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StressStress

• Stress is something everyone experiences daily, and is.– A normal part of life– Any demand on the mind or body– A natural reaction to everyday challenges

• Stress is a double-edged sword. It can:– Provide an opportunity for growth – Wear you down

• Stress is something everyone experiences daily, and is.– A normal part of life– Any demand on the mind or body– A natural reaction to everyday challenges

• Stress is a double-edged sword. It can:– Provide an opportunity for growth – Wear you down

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Adapting to StressAdapting to Stress

• Leaders and Shipmates can help Sailors

and Marines adapt to stress by providing:

– Tough realistic training

– Knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to

help build resilience to stress related

problems

• Leaders and Shipmates can help Sailors

and Marines adapt to stress by providing:

– Tough realistic training

– Knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to

help build resilience to stress related

problems

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ResilienceResilience

Resilience is the ability to recover from, adjust to, and bounce back from misfortune or change.

Resilience is the ability to recover from, adjust to, and bounce back from misfortune or change.

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Causes of Operational Stress

Causes of Operational Stress

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Causes of Stress – Internal

Causes of Stress – Internal

• Internal

– Emotions

– Decisions

– Physical

– Thoughts

• Internal

– Emotions

– Decisions

– Physical

– Thoughts

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Causes of Stress – External

Causes of Stress – External

• External

– Relationship

– Social

– Environment

– Work

– Spirituality

• External

– Relationship

– Social

– Environment

– Work

– Spirituality

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Stress Continuum ModelStress Continuum Model

Stressor

Stressor

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Stress Continuum ModelStress Continuum Model

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Stressor

Stressor

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READY Sailors / Marines

• Calm and steady

• Confident and

competent

• Adequate rest

• Good sense of humor

Healthy: The Ready Green Zone

Healthy: The Ready Green Zone

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Healthy: The Ready Green Zone

Healthy: The Ready Green Zone

READY Commands

• Highly trained and qualified

• Keep morale high

• Maintain equipment properly

• Pay close attention to detail

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READY Family

• Family members feel secure

• Good communication between all family members

• Home is clean organized home

• Siblings and children functioning well at home and in

school

• Families interacting well

Healthy: The Ready Green Zone

Healthy: The Ready Green Zone

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Healthy: “Staying Green” (Ready)

Healthy: “Staying Green” (Ready)

STAYING READY

• Stay fit; eat right

• Get adequate rest

• Push to your personal best in training

• Use alcohol in moderation

• Know your own limits

• Practice personal integrity and Navy Core Values

• Resolve conflicts effectively

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What is a “Stress Reaction”?What is a “Stress Reaction”?

Temporary, mild physical or mental distress

Temporary, mild physical or mental distress

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Stress Continuum ModelStress Continuum Model

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Stressor

Stressor

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Recognizing Stress:The Yellow Reacting Zone

Recognizing Stress:The Yellow Reacting Zone

REACTING Sailors / Marines

• Feeling anxious, irritable

• Cutting corners

• Grouchy and short-tempered

• Difficulty sleeping

• Changes in eating patterns

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Recognizing Stress:The Yellow Reacting Zone

Recognizing Stress:The Yellow Reacting Zone

REACTING Commands

• Decreasing morale

• Alcohol related incidents rise

• Reduced attention to detail

• Minor discipline problems

• Deferred maintenance

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Recognizing Stress:The Yellow Reacting Zone

Recognizing Stress:The Yellow Reacting Zone

REACTING Families

• Families arguing

• Children acting out, or having

trouble in school

• Increased financial difficulties

• Reduced intimacy

• Increased clutter and disorder

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The Yellow Reacting ZoneThe Yellow Reacting Zone

WHAT TO DO• Work out regularly, eat right, and stay hydrated.

• Attend to your spiritual needs.

• Redirect your attention away

from the event.

• Encourage yourself and others.

• Practice breathing and muscle

relaxation techniques.

Successfully handling a stressful

event builds resilience

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Case Study Case Study

Personal Fitness TestPersonal Fitness Test BEFORE• Anxious• Worried

AFTER• Calm and steady• Relieved after successfully accomplished your run

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Stress Continuum ModelStress Continuum Model

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Stressor

Stressor

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Stress Injury MechanismsStress Injury Mechanisms

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Recognizing Stress Injuries:The Orange Injured Zone

Recognizing Stress Injuries:The Orange Injured Zone

INJURED Sailors / Marines

• Loss of control

• Recurrent vivid nightmares

• Attacks of panic or rage

• Disruption of moral values

• Serious suicidal or

homicidal thoughts

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Recognizing Stress Injuries:The Orange Injured Zone

Recognizing Stress Injuries:The Orange Injured Zone

INJURED Commands

• Low morale, divided camps

• Equipment out of service

• Significant discipline

problems

• Significant alcohol

incidents

• Multiple drug incidents

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INJURED Families

• Feeling of chaos

• Constant fighting

• Silence/no communication

• Verbal or physical abuse

• Children have failing grades

• Couple experiencing loss of

closeness/intimacy

Recognizing Stress Injuries:The Orange Injured Zone

Recognizing Stress Injuries:The Orange Injured Zone

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The Orange Injured ZoneThe Orange Injured Zone

What To Do

• Talk with Chain of Command

• Seek assistance from

chaplains, counselors,

and/or medical staff

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Stress Continuum ModelStress Continuum Model

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Stressor

Stressor

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Recognizing Stress Illnesses:The Red Ill Zone

Recognizing Stress Illnesses:The Red Ill Zone

ILL Sailors / Marines

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Anxiety and Panic Disorders

• Substance Dependence

• Severe Depression

• Physical injuries: Stress Impact, TBI,

Infections, Addictions

ALL stress illnesses MUST be

referred to

Medical for evaluation

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Stress Continuum ModelStress Continuum Model

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Stressor

Stressor

The Goal of Navy OSC is to move towards GREEN

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ScenarioScenario

READY(Green)

REACTING(Yellow)

INJURED(Orange)

ILL(Red)

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Scenario: Part 1Scenario: Part 1

• Midshipman Smith has finished spring semester finals at the university.

• Midshipman Smith is ready for summer cruise.

• What zone do you think Midshipman Smith is in?

• Midshipman Smith has finished spring semester finals at the university.

• Midshipman Smith is ready for summer cruise.

• What zone do you think Midshipman Smith is in?

READY(Green)

REACTING(Yellow)

INJURED(Orange)

ILL(Red)

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Scenario: Part 1Scenario: Part 1

• Midshipman Smith may be in the Green Zone.– Green Zone signs: Calm and steady

• Midshipman Smith may be in the Green Zone.– Green Zone signs: Calm and steady

READY(Green)

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Scenario: Part 2Scenario: Part 2

• Midshipman Smith has started week 1 of summer cruise and is currently at sea.

• Midshipman Smith has just received a Red Cross message that Grandma Smith has suffered a stroke.

• Midshipman Smith is anxious and is now cutting corners at summer training.

• Since Grandma Smith was not the primary caregiver, Midshipman Smith is unable to go home.

• What zone do you think Midshipman Smith is in?

• Midshipman Smith has started week 1 of summer cruise and is currently at sea.

• Midshipman Smith has just received a Red Cross message that Grandma Smith has suffered a stroke.

• Midshipman Smith is anxious and is now cutting corners at summer training.

• Since Grandma Smith was not the primary caregiver, Midshipman Smith is unable to go home.

• What zone do you think Midshipman Smith is in?

READY(Green)

REACTING(Yellow)

INJURED(Orange)

ILL(Red)

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Scenario: Part 2Scenario: Part 2

• Midshipman Smith is the Yellow Zone.– Yellow Zone signs: Anxious and cutting

corners on the job

• Midshipman Smith is the Yellow Zone.– Yellow Zone signs: Anxious and cutting

corners on the job

REACTING(Yellow)

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Scenario: Part 3Scenario: Part 3

• Midshipman Smith is now in week 2 of summer cruise.

• Midshipman Smith has just received a second Red Cross message stating that Grandma has died.

• Midshipman Smith is unable to sleep, is having vivid nightmares, and is feeling guilty about not seeing Grandma. Midshipman Smith will not be able to attend the funeral.

• What zone do you think Midshipman Smith is in?

• Midshipman Smith is now in week 2 of summer cruise.

• Midshipman Smith has just received a second Red Cross message stating that Grandma has died.

• Midshipman Smith is unable to sleep, is having vivid nightmares, and is feeling guilty about not seeing Grandma. Midshipman Smith will not be able to attend the funeral.

• What zone do you think Midshipman Smith is in?

READY(Green)

REACTING(Yellow)

INJURED(Orange)

ILL(Red)

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Scenario: Part 3Scenario: Part 3

• Midshipman Smith is the Orange Zone.– Orange Zone signs: Unable to sleep, having

vivid nightmares, and feelings of guilt

• Midshipman Smith is the Orange Zone.– Orange Zone signs: Unable to sleep, having

vivid nightmares, and feelings of guilt

INJURED(Orange)

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Scenario SummaryScenario Summary

This scenario showed how an individual can rapidly move from the Green toThe Goal of the Yellow Zone and end up in the Orange Zone.

This scenario showed how an individual can rapidly move from the Green toThe Goal of the Yellow Zone and end up in the Orange Zone.

Stressor

Stressor

Navy OSC is to move towards GREEN

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SummarySummary

Now that you have completed part one of the NROTC – OSC Module, you should be able to:

• Define stress.• Define terms associated with stress.• Identify the causes of stress.• Explain the Stress Continuum Model.• Recognize common reactions in self and others to

operational stress as identified in the Stress Continuum Model.

• Apply Stress Continuum Model in different examples.

Now that you have completed part one of the NROTC – OSC Module, you should be able to:

• Define stress.• Define terms associated with stress.• Identify the causes of stress.• Explain the Stress Continuum Model.• Recognize common reactions in self and others to

operational stress as identified in the Stress Continuum Model.

• Apply Stress Continuum Model in different examples.