WRAIR's Military Psychiatry branch develops evidence-based knowledge products and interventions to optimize the readiness and resilience of Soldiers across the deployment cycle. In order to maintain an effective and lethal fighting force, Soldiers must be properly equipped to confront the psychological demands of military service and warfare. Psychiatric disorders amongst Soldiers are the leading cause of hospital bed days and the second leading cause of medical encounters, marking them as a significant threat to Soldier welfare and readiness.
Members of WRAIR's Military Psychiatry branch have surveyed deployed units around the world to document the prevalence of emerging and existing behavioral health concerns, and to identify related risk factors. These data are used to inform Commanders' decision-making about behavioral health and other resources, and Military Psychiatry's neurocognitive intervention development efforts and behavioral health policy recommendations.