Sustaining Performance Under Stress: Overview of This Issue

Abstract

Full-spectrum warfare places a heavy cognitive burden on the soldier that may exceed normal adaptive stress response mechanisms. It is crucial to understand the effects of battlefield stressors on physical and cognitive performance, decision-making, and adaptation. This information can be used to devise advanced training tactics and technological aids. The recent emergence of new technologies in diverse fields, including neuroimaging, psychology, kinesiology, endocrinology, genetics, linguistics, and warfare strategy will enable enhanced performance of the soldier on the battlefield or in insurgency arenas. Maximal utility of these technologies requires interaction between experts in each methodology and the Army. The Sustaining Performance Under Stress Symposium serves as an example of the multidisciplinary approach involving experts from academia, Army laboratories, and military leadership.During the past two decades the nature of international threats to the stability and security of our nation has transitioned from a large superpower adversary, the Soviet Union, to emerging superpowers and entities within failed states having significant asymmetric capabilities. The response to this challenge has led to the recognition that our military services must be transformed so that appropriate responses can be developed to an attempted denial of access to the United States in significant portions of the world mounted by industrialized nations as well as to

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