text: Chapter 7
  Combat and Operational Stress Control
  Combat and operational stress control has always been a commander’s program. To
  be successful, commanders must fully understand and appreciate the magnitude of a
  potentially traumatic event as it affects exposed organizations and individuals. It is a
  harsh reality that combat and operational stress affects everyone engaged in unified
  land operations. It should be viewed as a continuum of possible outcomes that each
  person will experience with a range from positive growth behaviors to negative and
  sometimes disruptive reactions. Effective leadership shapes the experience that they
  and their Soldiers go through in an effort to successfully transition units and
  individuals, build resilience and promote posttraumatic growth, or increased
  functioning and positive change after enduring trauma. Combat and operational stress
  control does not take away the experiences faced while engaged in military operations,
  it attempts to mitigate those experiences so that Soldiers and units remain combat-
  effective and ultimately provide the support and meaning that will allow Soldiers to
  maintain the quality of life to which they are entitled.
  SECTION I — COMBAT AND OPERATIONAL STRESS CONTROL
  RESPONSIBILITIES
  7-1. Combat and operational stress control is a program developed and actions taken by military leadership
  to prevent, identify, and manage adverse combat and operational stress reactions in units. This medical
  function optimizes mission performance; conserves the fighting strength; and prevents or minimizes adverse
  effects of combat and operational stress reaction on Soldiers and their physical, psychological, intellectual,
  and social health. Its goal is to return Soldiers to duty expeditiously.
  SECTION II — PROGRAM AND RESOURCES
  7-2. According to DODD 6490.02E, COSC activities include routine screening of individuals when
  recruited; continued surveillance throughout military service, especially before, during, and after
  deployment; and continual assessment and consultation with medical and other personnel from garrison to
  the battlefield. Soldiers who are temporarily impaired or incapacitated with stress-related conditions are
  diagnosed as BH disorders. Combat and operational stress control promotes Soldier and unit readiness by―
  * Enhancing adaptive stress reactions.
  * Preventing maladaptive stress reactions.
  * Assisting Soldiers with controlling combat and operational stress reactions.
  * Assisting Soldiers with behavioral disorders.
  * Teaching warrior resiliency skills.
  7-3. For more information on COSC, refer to ATP 4-02.5 and ATP 4-02.8.
  BRIGADE COMBAT TEAMS
  7-4. In the BCTs, COSC support is provided by mental health sections assigned to the brigade support
  medical company of the brigade support battalion. If required, these resources can receive direct support
  from the BH personnel assigned to the medical detachment (COSC), if augmentation is required.