Traumatic experiences are a part of the job for military services members, just as they are for many first responders. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that PTSD has to be inevitable for some people. There are several ways that military service members can prepare for and respond to traumatic events that may help prevent PTSD. With more awareness about the risks of PTSD, people with high-risk jobs have more options to help safeguard against this disorder. Many first responders who experience PTSD feel like they were unprepared for the traumatic event that caused it. Feeling overwhelmed during a traumatic event may make you more susceptible to PTSD. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), some researchers suggest an emphasis on preparedness and better assessment for first responders to determine if they are prepared for what they will have to do on the job.  In the military, it’s impossible to prepare for every possibility, but there is an emphasis on being well prepared. When going into specific jobs and tasks, it’s important to be well prepared and to know what to expect if possible. If you’re going into a combat or disaster response situation, mental preparedness can also help you avoid or manage trauma. When it comes to disaster response, higher risks of PTSD are associated with workers who spend more time closer to the epicenter of the disaster. The same principle may be applied to other roles that require you to spend time near the aftermath of an attack or a disaster. In military services, the circumstances of your mission or task may require you to spend time near danger. However, limiting an individual’s exposure to danger or witnessing violence can help limit their risk for PTSD. Another way to prevent PTSD is to debrief after a potentially tragic event. In a psychological sense, debriefing means talking to someone after an incident about your experience. Working through the potential trauma right after it happened can help prevent it from becoming PTSD. You may speak to a therapist or chaplain to unpack your experience. However, SAMHSA noted that many first responders find talking to peers who can empathize with them more effective. That may be similar for military members.