Naval Reserve Officers
Training Corps
Operational Stress Control Part 1
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Objectives
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Define stress.
Define terms associated with stress.
Identify the causes of stress.
Explain the Stress Continuum Model.
Recognize common reactions in self and others
to operational stress as identified in the Stress
Continuum Model.
• Apply Stress Continuum Model in different
examples.
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Definition of Stress
Dictionary’s:
Stress is a mental, emotional or physical
strain or tension
Navy’s Definition:
The process by which we respond to
challenges to the body or mind.
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Stress
• Stress is something everyone experiences
daily, and is.
– A normal part of life
– Any demand on the mind or body
– A natural reaction to everyday challenges
• Stress is a double-edged sword. It can:
– Provide an opportunity for growth
– Wear you down
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Adapting to Stress
• Leaders and Shipmates can help Sailors
and Marines adapt to stress by providing:
– Tough realistic training
– Knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to
help build resilience to stress related
problems
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Resilience
Resilience is the ability to recover from,
adjust to, and bounce back from
misfortune or change.
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Causes of Operational
Stress
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Causes of Stress –
Internal
• Internal
– Emotions
– Decisions
– Physical
– Thoughts
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Causes of Stress –
External
• External
– Relationship
– Social
– Environment
– Work
– Spirituality
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Stress Continuum Model
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Stress Continuum Model
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Healthy:
The Ready Green Zone
READY Sailors / Marines
• Calm and steady
• Confident and competent
• Adequate rest
• Good sense of humor
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Healthy:
The Ready Green Zone
READY Commands
• Highly trained and qualified
• Keep morale high
• Maintain equipment properly
• Pay close attention to detail
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Healthy:
The Ready Green Zone
READY Family
• Family members feel secure
• Good communication between all family members
• Home is clean organized home
• Siblings and children functioning well at home and in
school
• Families interacting well
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Healthy:
“Staying Green” (Ready)
STAYING READY
• Stay fit; eat right
• Get adequate rest
• Push to your personal best in training
• Use alcohol in moderation
• Know your own limits
• Practice personal integrity and Navy Core Values
• Resolve conflicts effectively
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What is a “Stress Reaction”?
Temporary, mild physical or mental
distress
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Stress Continuum Model
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Recognizing Stress:
The Yellow Reacting Zone
REACTING Sailors / Marines
• Feeling anxious, irritable
• Cutting corners
• Grouchy and short-tempered
• Difficulty sleeping
• Changes in eating patterns
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Recognizing Stress:
The Yellow Reacting Zone
REACTING Commands
• Decreasing morale
• Alcohol related incidents rise
• Reduced attention to detail
• Minor discipline problems
• Deferred maintenance
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Recognizing Stress:
The Yellow Reacting Zone
REACTING Families
• Families arguing
• Children acting out, or having
trouble in school
• Increased financial difficulties
• Reduced intimacy
• Increased clutter and disorder
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The Yellow Reacting Zone
WHAT TO DO
• Work out regularly, eat right,
and stay hydrated.
• Attend to your spiritual needs.
• Redirect your attention away
from the event.
• Encourage yourself and others.
• Practice breathing and muscle
relaxation techniques.
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Case Study
BEFORE
Personal Fitness Test
• Anxious
• Worried
AFTER
• Calm and steady
• Relieved after successfully
accomplished your run
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Stress Continuum Model
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Stress Injury Mechanisms
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Recognizing Stress Injuries:
The Orange Injured Zone
INJURED Sailors /
Marines
• Loss of control
• Recurrent vivid nightmares
• Attacks of panic or rage
• Disruption of moral values
• Serious suicidal or
homicidal thoughts
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Recognizing Stress Injuries:
The Orange Injured Zone
INJURED Commands
• Low morale, divided camps
• Equipment out of service
• Significant discipline
problems
• Significant alcohol
incidents
• Multiple drug incidents
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Recognizing Stress Injuries:
The Orange Injured Zone
INJURED Families
• Feeling of chaos
• Constant fighting
• Silence/no communication
• Verbal or physical abuse
• Children have failing grades
• Couple experiencing loss of
closeness/intimacy
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The Orange Injured Zone
What To Do
• Talk with Chain of Command
• Seek assistance from
chaplains, counselors,
and/or medical staff
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Stress Continuum Model
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Recognizing Stress Illnesses:
The Red Ill Zone
ILL Sailors / Marines
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Anxiety and Panic Disorders
• Substance Dependence
• Severe Depression
• Physical injuries: Stress Impact, TBI,
Infections, Addictions
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Stress Continuum Model
The Goal of Navy OSC is to move towards GREEN
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Scenario
READY
REACTING
INJURED
ILL
(Green)
(Yellow)
(Orange)
(Red)
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Scenario: Part 1
• Midshipman Smith has finished spring semester
finals at the university.
• Midshipman Smith is ready for summer cruise.
• What zone do you think Midshipman Smith is in?
READY
(Green)
REACTING INJURED
(Yellow)
(Orange)
ILL
(Red)
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Scenario: Part 1
• Midshipman Smith may be in the Green Zone.
– Green Zone signs: Calm and steady
READY
(Green)
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Scenario: Part 2
• Midshipman Smith has started week 1 of summer
cruise and is currently at sea.
• Midshipman Smith has just received a Red Cross
message that Grandma Smith has suffered a stroke.
• Midshipman Smith is anxious and is now cutting
corners at summer training.
• Since Grandma Smith was not the primary
caregiver, Midshipman Smith is unable to go home.
• What zone do you think Midshipman Smith is in?
READY
(Green)
REACTING INJURED
(Yellow)
(Orange)
ILL
(Red)
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Scenario: Part 2
• Midshipman Smith is the Yellow Zone.
– Yellow Zone signs: Anxious and cutting
corners on the job
REACTING
(Yellow)
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Scenario: Part 3
• Midshipman Smith is now in week 2 of summer
cruise.
• Midshipman Smith has just received a second Red
Cross message stating that Grandma has died.
• Midshipman Smith is unable to sleep, is having
vivid nightmares, and is feeling guilty about not
seeing Grandma. Midshipman Smith will not be
able to attend the funeral.
• What zone do you think Midshipman Smith is in?
READY
(Green)
REACTING INJURED
(Yellow)
(Orange)
ILL
(Red)
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Scenario: Part 3
• Midshipman Smith is the Orange Zone.
– Orange Zone signs: Unable to sleep, having
vivid nightmares, and feelings of guilt
INJURED
(Orange)
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Scenario Summary
This scenario showed how an individual can rapidly
move from the Green toThe Goal of the Yellow Zone
and end up in the Orange Zone.
Navy OSC is to move towards GREEN
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Summary
Now that you have completed part one of the
NROTC – OSC Module, you should be able to:
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Define stress.
Define terms associated with stress.
Identify the causes of stress.
Explain the Stress Continuum Model.
Recognize common reactions in self and others to
operational stress as identified in the Stress Continuum
Model.
• Apply Stress Continuum Model in different examples.
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