1 Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Operational Stress Control Part 1

2 Objectives 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.

3 Definition 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.

4 Stress 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

5 Adapting 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

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

7 Causes of Operational Stress

8 Causes of Stress – Internal Internal –Emotions –Decisions –Physical –Thoughts Internal –Emotions –Decisions –Physical –Thoughts

9 Causes of Stress – External External –Relationship –Social –Environment –Work –Spirituality External –Relationship –Social –Environment –Work –Spirituality

10 Stress Continuum Model Stressor

11 Stress Continuum Model 11 Stressor

12 READY Sailors / Marines Calm and steady Confident and competent Adequate rest Good sense of humor Healthy: The Ready Green Zone

13 Healthy: The Ready Green Zone READY Commands Highly trained and qualified Keep morale high Maintain equipment properly Pay close attention to detail

14 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

15 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

16 What is a “Stress Reaction”? Temporary, mild physical or mental distress

17 Stress Continuum Model 17 Stressor

18 Recognizing Stress: The Yellow Reacting Zone REACTING Sailors / Marines Feeling anxious, irritable Cutting corners Grouchy and short-tempered Difficulty sleeping Changes in eating patterns

19 Recognizing Stress: The Yellow Reacting Zone REACTING Commands Decreasing morale Alcohol related incidents rise Reduced attention to detail Minor discipline problems Deferred maintenance

20 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

21 The 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.

22 Case Study Personal Fitness Test BEFORE Anxious Anxious Worried Worried AFTER Calm and steady Relieved after successfully accomplished your run

23 Stress Continuum Model 23 Stressor

24 Stress Injury Mechanisms

25 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

26 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

27 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

28 The Orange Injured Zone What To Do Talk with Chain of Command Seek assistance from chaplains, counselors, and/or medical staff

29 Stress Continuum Model 29 Stressor

30 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

31 Stress Continuum Model 31 Stressor The Goal of Navy OSC is to move towards GREEN

32 Scenario READY READY (Green) REACTING (Yellow) INJURED (Orange) ILL (Red)

33 Scenario: 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)

34 Scenario: 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)

35 Scenario: 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)

36 Scenario: 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)

37 Scenario: 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)

38 Scenario: 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)

39 Scenario Summary This scenario showed how an individual can rapidly move from the Green to The Goal of the Yellow Zone and end up in the Orange Zone. Stressor Navy OSC is to move towards GREEN

40 Summary 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.