The 71F Advantage: Applying Army Research Psychology for Health and Performance Gains - Eye Injuries, Mental Health, Suicide, Chemical and Bio Defense, Nuclear Psychological Effects, Special Ops

Professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction, this book examines Army research psychology.

The book you hold in your hands is a powerful tool in the arsenal of our Soldiers' well-being and, in some cases, very survival. Since our nation began putting Soldiers in harm's way, our forces have experienced the psychological trauma of war. In some cases, the number of casualties due to psychological injury approached the rates of physical injury. As leaders, we spend countless days training our Soldiers to survive the actual battle. Combat training, battle drills, physical fitness, and medical readiness help ensure their physical survival and ultimate victory in the combat zone. Now, we dedicate ourselves to helping ensure their psychological survival and victory when the battle is over.

This book grows out of paper presentations and discussions at the Army Research Psychology Biennial Conference held April 24-25, 2008, in Bethesda, Maryland. It provides a snapshot of groundbreaking research currently being done by Army research psychologists around the globe. The book illuminates the many contributions of Army research psychologists to supporting Soldiers and their families, as well as enhancing their performance and well-being. Research breakthroughs and updated treatment methods in the areas of human performance, psychological and environmental stressors, military and family wellness, personality and organizational factors, and leader and cognitive performance are outlined within this volume. The book also serves as a valuable historical document, providing a vivid picture of the 71F Army research psychology specialty and including a number of personal career stories. It should appeal to a wide range of audiences, including operational commanders, academics, students, and anyone curious about what military research psychology is all about. Today, research psychologists remain true to the fundamental principles of Army medicine: to care for those who have borne the perils of battle in the service of the Nation.

Chapter 1 - U.S. Army Uniformed Research Psychologists: Making a Difference Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow * Chapter 2 - Army Research Psychology: Moving from Science to Solutions * Chapter 3 - Asleep at the Trigger: Warfighter Judgment and Decisionmaking during Prolonged Wakefulness * Chapter 4 - Advances in Measuring Higher Order Cognitive Performance in Warfighters under Environmental Stress * Chapter 5 - Rapid Assessment of Eye Injuries on the Battlefield * Part III: Psychology of Leadership * Chapter 6 - New Wine in Old Bottles: Leadership and Personality in the Military Organization * Chapter 7 - Development and Fielding of the U.S. Army Leader Self-development Portfolio * Chapter 8 - Understanding and Measuring Creative Thinking in Leaders * Part IV: Soldier Psychological Health * Chapter 9 - U.S. Army Mental Health Advisory Teams * Chapter 10 - Military Benefit Finding: Turning Adversity to Advantage * Chapter 11 - Enhancing Operational Readiness through Neuroimaging: Mapping the Pathophysiology of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Warfighters * Chapter 12 - Why Do Soldiers Kill Themselves? Understanding Suicide in the Military * Part V: Applying Psychology to Chemical and Biological Defense * Chapter 13 - Psychological Effects of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Weapons