By Captain F. Kuschnereit

Last March, LFWA broke new ground by being the first Land Force Area to send a Stress Debriefing Team to Croatia. This was the culmination of a programme which started in August 1992 when the Commander of LFWA directed the development of a Combat Stress Management Programme with a priority being given to area personnel being deployed to United Nations peacekeeping duties to the former country of Yugoslavia. The goal of the programme was to "prevent and mitigate the pathological stress reactions as a result of operations, thus reducing the risk of developing post traumatic stress disorders".

Prior to deployment, units received Combat Stress Management training. While in theatre, unit teams monitored stress levels and provided debriefings after critical incidents. Thankfully there were no fatalities during 3PPCLI's six-month tour in Croatia, however, a number of incidents occurred. Three armoured personnel carriers struck anti-tank mines and another was damaged by a anti-tank missile. All members of 3PPCLI experienced the stressors of living in a war zone such as having to wear flak jackets and being in constant danger from mines as well as being away from their families for an extended period of time. Consequently, the Commanding Officer decided to request the services of the LFWA debriefing team to ensure that his soldiers would have every advantage in dealing with such extreme stress and also to be prepared for reintegrating with their families.

The team consisted of Major William Lai(Team Leader), Area PSO, Captain Frank Kuschnereit, BPSO Calgary, Captain Jurden Rice, Social Worker, Major David Kettle, 1CMBG Brigade Chaplin, MCpl Mel MacDougall, Peer Counsellor. On 22 March 1993 the team assembled in Edmonton and on 23 March 1993 the team departed Edmonton and flew to Zagreb, Croatia. After a two - hour drive, the team arrived in Dauavar. The building that we stayed in was nice enough once you got used to the fact that half of it had been demolished by three 500 lb bombs. Upon arrival at the Canadian Camp, it was discovered that the unit had a comprehensive debriefing schedule arranged. During the next 7 days the team conducted 34 debriefings for a total of 741 personnel of 3 PPCLI. A typical session lasted about 90 minutes. The soldiers were asked to talk about some of their experiences in Croatia. After some discussion, they were briefed on stress warning signs and how to deal with them. They were also given some tips on how to reintegrate with their families. This type of information is most useful during the first few days at home and it was decided that the best time to do this type of debriefing session is prior to the soldiers returning. The overall reaction of the soldiers was very positive. Every soldier had a story to tell and they appreciated the stress management information.

Six weeks after their return to Canada, 3PPCLI received a follow up visit by Capt Kuschnereit and Capt Rice. They found that the soldiers had adjusted well, unfortunately less than 400 of the 862 personnel still remained with the unit. The remainder had been sent on courses, posted to other units or had been reservists who had completed their contracts. This showed why it was necessary to do the debriefings in theatre rather than in Canada. In any event, this programme has shown that Psychological support to operations can be useful in peacekeeping as well as in war and that LFWA does care about our soldiers.

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