Combat stress disorders and the U.S. Air Force

Air Force fliers and base personnel have unique spheres of vulnerability to combat stress disorders. A number of factors unique to the Air Force heighten combat stress vulnerability: (1) The passive nature of combat duties, (2) relatively small amounts of combat skills training, (3) absence of service-wide training in arms use, (4) lack of experience with mass casualty situations, (5) family proximity to potential operational areas, and (6) base and personnel immobility. The impact of combat stress disorders for both fliers and nonfliers in the Air Force can be minimized. Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment are discussed.