As a Chaplain, I facilitated critical incident debriefing (CID) for groups of soldiers within 72 hours after experiencing a traumatic event. Acute stress reactions negatively affect the health and mental status of soldiers on the battlefield. Fear, confusion, anxiety, lack of sleep, and focus are some common reactions to battle fatigue. Unresolved traumatic events severely retard combated power. Mental fitness is essential for executing the commander’s intent. The Army implores seven steps for CID briefings. 1. The assessments phase develops a plan for the group’s unique needs. 2. Gathering information from the group participants’ perspective is fact-based, not emotional. 3. Provide an opportunity for the group to express their thoughts and emotions about the event. 4. The individual group members share cognitive, mental health, behavioral, and physical symptoms tied to the incident. 5. The individual group members watch for cognitive issues, mental health issues, or behavioral or physical symptoms tied to the incident 6. Educates the participants about understanding their reactions and resources for self-care: 7. The facilitators provide opportunities for questions, answers, and takeaways from the session. They also provide information and future steps for additional resources. These steps are essential to show that leaders care about the well-being of their service members.
In 2003, my soldiers borrowed a cargo truck called a deuce and a half to leave the detainee facility to contact family members. The event was a regular command-sponsored plan to build morale. The enemy adapted to this routine pattern and buried an improvised explosive device (IED) under the path of the truck. After the vehicle departed from the facility in the morning with service members sitting in the cargo section, the deadly IED detonated. Shrapnel sliced through the cargo steel inches from each in the truck.
Miraculously, no one was physically injured. The Lord’s prayer was appropriate here. God delivered them from evil. We grouped quickly to be with the soldiers affected. I listened for facts and watched for mental issues and cognitive functioning. The stories of shock, panic, fear, and eeriness were appropriate. My informant soldier was driving the truck when the enemy attacked. This brother provided me with critical information under the stars of Bagdad. A 48-hour rule for a CID defines my ministry to migrate acute stress. The group was completed 36 hours after the event, with a beautiful sunset as a backdrop. They sat in chairs facing the truck 100 meters away to tell their story. They were a unified force which remained unbroken. Later, each member sat where they had experienced the blast in the deuce and a half. We entered the broken truck cargo bay, and I stood with the driver leaning against the roof. They opened with emotions. The elicited emotions included thankfulness to God as the enemy placed the IED upside down
CIDs mitigate combat stress in Army operations. The chaplain is a force provided. The troops remained strong in a team culture. They learned not to underestimate the enemy and stay vigilant. There are different opinions about CIDs. The bottom line is that my troops knew we cared. They expressed that the session was helpful for their well-being and combat readiness.
