Human Factors

Question 1

Categories of human factors

Answer 1

 Endogenous: Those factors that affect Marines
from within.
 Exogenous: Those factors affecting Marines
externally.
 Transitory: Factors that may be mitigated by
training.
 Enduring: Factors that may be mitigated by
education.

Question 2

two systems that help them respond to stress

Answer 2

 Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) - mobilizes your body’s energy for
action
 Parasympathetic nervous system
(PNS) - manages your body’s digestive and recuperative
energy

Question 3

core leader

functions to assist in alleviating combat stress

Answer 3

1. Strengthen
2. Mitigate
3. Identify
4. Treat
5. Reintegrate

Question 4

tools for the treatment of stress injuries and

illnesses

Answer 4

1. Self-aid or buddy aid
2. Support from a small unit leader, chaplain, or
   corpsman.
3. Definitive medical or psychological treatment.

Question 5

The nine common elements found in the combat environment are:

Answer 5

1. Confusion and lack of information.
2. Casualties.
3. Violent, unnerving sights and sounds.
4. Feelings of isolation.
5. Communication breakdowns.
6. Individual discomfort and fatigue.
7. Fear, stress, and mental fatigue.
8. Continuous operations.
9. Homesickness.

Question 6

The Marine Corps identifies five

stresses of combat:

Answer 6

1. Boredom.
2. Fog of war.
3. Casualties.
4. Discomfort and fatigue.
5. Extreme risk and fear.

Question 7

Principles that help overcome fear are:

Answer 7

• Morale.
• Discipline.
• Esprit de corps.
• Proficiency.
• Motivation.
• Training.

Question 8

Foster mental strength through:

Answer 8

1. Willpower

2. Fortitude

Question 9

Marine leaders always have two primary responsibilities:

Answer 9

1. Mission accomplishment

2. Troop welfare

Question 10

BEFORE deployment, actions small unit leaders can take to minimize the effects of combat stress:

Answer 10

1. Conduct Unit Training
2. Educate yourself and your Marines on human factors in combat.
3. Train for casualties – combat first aid builds confidence.
4. Educate Marines on procedures for:
   a. Notification of next of kin
   b. MEDEVAC
   c. Wounded and killed in action
5. Focus your training around building cohesion – every Marine has a place on the team.
6. Prepare Marines for changes in sleep schedules.
7. Avoid overloading responsibilities on Marines before deploying.
8. Select the right Marine for each job. Fit the right person to the task based on the requirements and Marines’ talents and abilities.
9. Duplicate critical tasks and cross-train Marines.
10. Develop SOPs.
11. Attend to personal and family matters, ensure Marines have their lives in order.
12. Brief Marines and families as a group, leverage deployment readiness coordinators (DRCs) and unit readiness coordinators (URCs) for assistance.

Question 11

Treat Marines showing battle fatigue using the BICEPS guideline:

Answer 11

 Brevity 
 Immediacy
 Centrality 
 Expectancy
 Proximity 
 Simplicity

Question 12

DURING deployment, ways to handle stress issues

Answer 12

 Warrior Transition
 Counseling
 Physical Training
 Small Unit Training
 Chaplain/Medical Officer