Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
CSTS | Department of Psychiatry | Uniformed Services University | 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799 | www.CSTSonline.org

Supporting Personnel Following
Training Exercises
Training exercises are a helpful■ Talk with your buddies orway to learn your job and prepare for
Having an approach to help you decompress
teammates about the exercise
challenging situations. They help us
experiences; sharing experiences
after a training exercise can help you get“train like we fight” and can provide
can be helpful and allows people
the most out of the experience and takean intense, simulated environment
to decompress.
where you role play and thinkcare of yourself in the process.
■ Listen to other people who wantthrough difficult scenarios. Having
to talk about the exercise; evenan approach to help you decompress
if you are feeling fine, it might
after the exercise can help you get the most out of thehelp someone else to have someone they can talk to.
experience and take care of yourself in the process.
■ Make opportunities for people that went through
During a training exercise, it’s normal to get a surge ofthe exercise to informally talk and debrief together
adrenaline and a heightened sense of your environment.
as a group over food and snacks, if possible. Talking
These reactions can help you participate more effectively
informally or socially in a group setting allows people
in the activity and increase your ability to learn. Use thisto share their experiences, get feedback, learn from one
opportunity to take in as much information as possible
another, and unwind.
because you will remember things better during this time.
■ If you try the methods above and still find yourself
After a training exercise, it is normal to have a level offeeling stress that is interfering with your activities atarousal or ramped up feeling that persists for a period ofwork or home, talk with a co-worker or supervisor. You
time. For most people, this will gradually diminish after
can also go to your local medical clinic or healthcare
the exercise. However, for some people the “letting down”
provider to talk with someone who will assist you inpart can feel more challenging. Also, those of us who havegetting support.
experienced a real life version of the training exercise
or other intense or traumatic experiences may find the■ If you see someone having difficulty calming down,
adrenaline keeps flowing well after the training exercise
ask how they are doing and listen to what they haveends. Finding ways to decompress after an exercise has
to say. Avoid telling them how they should be feelingended is important.
or providing simple reassurances like “everything will
There are a number of things you can do to take care ofbe fine.” Instead, remind them about the ideas above.
yourself after an intense training exercise:If they are still having difficulty calming down, offer totake them to their healthcare provider for additional■ Take a deep breath or find another activity that helps
support.
you feel calmer.
■ Remind yourself that even if you felt a sense of being
unsafe during the exercise, you and your loved ones aresafe now.

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Department of Psychiatry
Uniformed Services University
4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799
www.CSTSonline.org