COSC

Combat Operational Stress Control

Combat Operational Stress Control (COSC)

"Leaders at all levels are responsible for preserving the psychological health of their Marines, Sailors, and family members, just as they are responsible for preserving their physical health. This responsibility applies to every link in every chain of command from fire team leaders and work center supervisors to combatant commanders and commanding officers. Medical, religious ministry, and other support personnel can help with this task, but only line leaders can balance combat and operational requirements that expose warriors to risks with the imperative to preserve health and readiness."

- Marine Corps Techniques Publication MCTP 3-30E

COSC IMPLEMENTATION

Leader actions and responsibilities to promote resilience and psychological health in military units and individuals, including family members, exposed to the stress of combat or other military operations. The policy provides a deployment and psychological health checklist to commanders to determine fitness and the ability to deploy.

Operational Stress Control and Readiness (OSCAR) is the primary method of COSC implementation which includes additional training to develop OSCAR teams. Through these teams, commands are able to more easily identify operational stress issues. These team members receive education on stress signs and symptoms, as well as available resources and the proper means of referring someone with a potential stress injury.

Purpose of COSC

The COSC program seeks to enable a cohesive ready force and promotes long-term health and well-being among Marines, attached sailors, and their family members. The COSC program assists commanders, Marines, and attached sailors in maintaining warfighting capabilities by preventing, identifying, and managing the impacts of combat and operational stress on Marines and sailors.

Goal of COSC

To prevent, identify, and reduce stress issues as early as possible in order to promote mission readiness, preserve the force, and support long-term health and well-being among marines, attached sailors, and their family members.

OSCAR training received by at least 5% of unit personnel or a minimum of 20 Marines and sailors, whichever is greater of all commands, covers: COSC awareness, the five core leadership functions, application of the stress continuum, after action reviews (AARs) as COSC tools, listening skills, early intervention strategies, operational risk management issues related to stress, coordination between leaders and medical providers, tools to build resilience, mitigation strategies, determination of psychological readiness for deployment, and a leaders panel discussion of personal experiences with combat and operational stress.

Documents

	Title
	MCTP 3-30E
	MCO 5351.1