(5)
Lack of recognition for a job well done.
(6)
Short-fused suspenses.
(7)
Lack of resources.
(8)
Lack of rewards.
c. Causes: Burnout in the Military. There are characteristics of military life
that some people find frustrating and upsetting. For some, family separations and
frequent moves are external factors that contribute to burnout. There may be a feeling
of isolation from society in general. Frequent changes in staff can cause a lack of
feeling of group cohesiveness. The combination of these four elements sometimes
produces a feeling of hopelessness, ending in burnout.
d. Burnout in Combat (Battle Fatigue). Burnout in combat and battle fatigue
are deliberately nondescriptive names for a wide variety of behaviors, mental
symptoms, and physical symptoms which can happen to any soldier. The basic causes
are the many stresses a soldier is subject to in combat. What happens is that these
stresses temporarily overwhelm and short circuit the individual's psychological
defenses; the result is a type of burnout. Causes of combat burnout include the
following:
(2)
Fear of death or injury.
(3)
Lack of preparation or training.
(4)
Fear of failure or losing face in combat.
(5)
(6)
Lack of adequate sanitation.
(7)
Feeling of facing overwhelming odds.
(8)
Long periods of an extremely high stress situation without relief.
e. Signs/Symptoms of Burnout. Included are the following:
(1)
Physical and mental exhaustion. The person gets tired very easily.
(2) Less production/enjoyment at work. The person seems to work harder,
but he is producing less and enjoying the work less.
(3)
Disenchanted with work and life. The individual may be a chronic
complainer.
MD0586
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