Common Roles of Military Psychologists On The Ground
The military by nature finds its truest purpose in chaotic and trauma filled situations. These situations can include the front-lines of battle or the disaster scenes they are providing relief-aid for. Though many psychologists may have an understanding to a humans response to traumatic situations. Many military psychologists shine here. While the soldiers may be providing psychical aid to the victims of events, the military psychologists are providing aid to both soldiers and victims as they cope with the circumstances of whatever has transpired.
Keeping along the the same intensity lines as the previous example, military psychologists often study, train people in, and consult on hostage negations. Though the psychologists might not be the one directly handling the situation, many principles used are psychology principles straight from the playbook of the military psychologists.
Another highly common area for Military psychologists is in Fit for Duty evaluations. Due to the fact that military life poses a set of unique challenges, fit for duty evaluations seek to allow the military to maintain its structured workplace by maximizing retention of incoming service men and women while minimizing violence. There are both basic entry examinations and examinations conducted when individuals are seeking higher clearance status, specialized working conditions, and when commanders become concerned about the mental state individuals working under their command. These evaluations must be conducted by non-biased individuals and need to examine as much of past history as possible.
Another use of military psychology is in interrogation of prisoners who may provide information that would enhance outcomes of friendly military operations or reduce friendly casualties. Psychology principles applied here allow the interrogator to get as much information without crossing the Geneva Convention's guidelines.
Read more about this topic: Psychology Of Combat
Famous quotes containing the words common, military and/or ground:
“I have thought there was some advantage even in death, by which we “mingle with the herd of common men.””
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“The transformation of the impossible into reality is always the mark of a demonic will. The only way to recognize a military genius is by the fact that, during the war, he will mock the rules of warfare and will employ creative improvisation instead of tested methods and he will do so at the right moment.”
—Stefan Zweig (18811942)
“One need not be a great beau, a seductive catch, to do it effectively. Any man is better than none. To shrink from giving so much happiness at such small expense, to evade the business on the ground that it has hazards—this is the act of a puling and tacky fellow.”
—H.L. (Henry Lewis)