On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace

 

Following his best selling, Pulitzer Prize nominated book On Killing, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, with Loren W. Christensen, present On Combat, a ground-breaking examination of what it takes to perform, cope and survive in the toxicity of deadly combat as a soldier in a foreign land, and a police officer in the mean streets of urban America.

Written by two warriors who have been there and done that, On Combat looks at what happens to the human body under the stresses of deadly battle — the impact on the nervous system, heart, breathing, visual and auditory perception, memory - then discusses new research findings as to what measures warriors can take to prevent such debilitations so they can stay in the fight, survive, and win.

A brief, but insightful look at history shows the evolution of combat, the development of the physical and psychological leverage that enables humans to kill other humans, followed by an objective examination of domestic violence in America. The authors reveal the nature of the warrior, brave men and women who train their minds and bodies to go to that place from which others flee. After examining the incredible impact of a few true warriors in battle, On Combat presents new and exciting research as to how to train the mind to become inoculated to stress, fear and even pain.

Expanding on Lt. Col. Grossman’s popular "Bulletproof mind" presentation, the book explores what really happens to the warrior after the battle, and shows how emotions, such as relief and self-blame, are natural and healthy ways to feel about having survived combat. A fresh and highly informative look at post traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) details how to prevent it, how to survive it should it happen, how to come out of it stronger, and how to help others who are experiencing it.

On Combat looks at the critical importance of the debriefing, when warriors gather after the battle to share what happened, critique, learn from each other and, for some, begin to heal from the horror. The reader will learn a highly effective breathing technique that not only steadies the warrior’s mind and body before and during the battle, but can also be used afterwards as a powerful healing device to help separate the emotion from the memory.

Concluding chapters discuss the Christian/Judeo view of killing in combat and offers powerful insight that Lt. Col. Grossman has imparted over the years to help thousands of warriors understand and come to terms with their actions in battle. A final chapter encourages warriors to always fight for justice, nor vengeance, so that their remaining days will be healthy ones filled with pride for having performed their duty morally and ethically.

This information-packed book ploughs new ground in its vision, in its extensive new research and startling findings, and in its powerful, revealing quotes and anecdotes from top people in the warrior community, people who have faced the toxic environment of deadly combat and now share their wisdom to help others.

On Combat is easy to read and powerful in scope. It is a true classic that will be read by new and veteran warriors for years to come.

Table of Contents

Forward by Gavin de Becker (A Gift of Fear)

Section I The Physiology of Combat: The Anatomy of the Human Body in Battle

• Combat
• The Harsh Reality of Combat
• Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous System
• Fear, Physiological Arousal and Performance

Section II Perceptual Distortions in Combat: An Altered State of Consciousness

• The Eyes and the Ears
• Autopilot
• A Grabbag of effects
• Memory Loss, Memory Distortions and the Role of Videotaping
• The Klinger Study

Section III The Call to Combat: Where Do We Get Such Men?

• Killing Machines
• Stress Inoculation and Fear
• Sucking Up Bullets and Continuing to Fight
• Making the Decision to Kill
• Modern Paladins Bearing the Shield
• The Evolution of Combat
• The Evolution of Combat and Domestic Violent Crimes

Section IV The Price of Combat: After the Smoke Clears

• Relief, Self-Blame and Other Emotions
• Stress, Uncertainty, and the "Four Fs"
• PTSD
• A Time to Heal
• Tactical Breathing and the Mechanics of the Debriefing
• What to Say to a Returning Veteran and What to Say to a Survivor
• Thou Shalt Not Kill?
• Survivor Guilt