Skip to main content

Military Health System

Test of Sitewide Banner

This is a test of the sitewide banner capability. In the case of an emergency, site visitors would be able to visit the news page for addition information.

Combat and Operational Stress Control (COSC)

Service members experience a variety of physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions, adverse consequences, or psychological injuries following exposure to stressful or traumatic events in combat or military operations. The Department of Defense (DOD) requires that each service implement combat and operational stress control (COSC) policies and programs to prevent, identify, and manage the effects of these combat and operational stress reactions (COSRs) in order to enhance mission performance; increase individual and unit resilience; conserve fighting strength; prevent or minimize adverse effects of combat stress on members’ physical, psychological, behavioral, and social health; and return the unit or service member to duty.

In support of Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 6490.05, “Maintenance of Psychological Health in Military Operations,” dated Nov. 22, 2011 (updated 2013), the Psychological Health Center of Excellence (PHCoE) is tasked with overseeing the COSC mission. PHCoE works with representatives across the military services to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of COSC policies and programs. The Center leads the following activities:

  • Develop and standardize required COSC data collection metrics
  • Promote COSC initiatives that prepare service members for military operations, support them during periods of transition, enhance psychological resilience, and reduce stigma associated with seeking mental health care assistance
  • Align COSC policies and programs with related psychological health and readiness policies, practices and systems within DOD
  • Determine common DOD-wide COSC program goals
  • Identify opportunities for COSC interoperability and joint application
  • Identify evidence-based COSC-related programs and practices for recommended use by the services, as applicable
  • Conduct annual monitoring of the quality and effectiveness of the services’ COSC programs, in coordination with the services’ quality assurance monitors.

You also may be interested in...

COSC 101 Slide Deck Part I Taking Care of Yourself Training Notes

Publication
8/5/2021

Training notes for the COSC 101 slide deck

COSC 101 Slide Deck Part II Taking Action in the Stress Zone Training Notes

Publication
8/5/2021

Training notes for the COSC 101 Part II slide deck

Combat and Operational Stress 101 Part I - Understanding Stress and Taking Care of Yourself

Publication
7/30/2021

The overall goal of this training is to encourage you to enhance total fitness by optimizing physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. This training focuses on Combat and Operational Stress (COS), what it means, how it affects you, and what to do about it

Combat and Operational Stress 101 Part II - Taking Action for Yourself and Your Buddy

Publication
7/30/2021

The overall goal of this training is to encourage you to enhance total fitness by optimizing physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. This training will focus on how to take action for yourself and your buddies.

Page 1 of 1 , showing items 1 - 4
Last Updated: January 05, 2022
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery