Psychological responses to training within simulated urban and subterranean operational environments

Future large-scale combat operations (LSCOs) will place considerable strains on warfighting and peacekeeping capabilities, particularly mission sets that require execution of critical military functions within urban and/or rural subterranean (SubT) environments. Despite substantial investment in modernizing military tactics and technology to neutralize threats or exploit situational affordances in underground contexts, limited empirical data are available from service member populations operating in SubT conditions. We followed a cohort of chemical, radiological, biological, and nuclear (CBRN) response teams as their units completed multi-day CBRN training events in above-ground or underground environments (e.g. facilities, tunnels, other structures). In addition to baseline individual differences, we assessed pre- and post-training psychological and cognitive functioning and other factors associated with stress responses and performance during training. Results suggest training events imparted a significant amount of stress on participants, with positive associations observed between self-reported demand, effort, anxiety, and sensitivity to protective gear. Reduced cognitive functioning (response time, accuracy) post-training was also evidenced post-training, but SubT environments engendered worse, and more variable, cognitive performance compared to above-ground locations. Previous training experiences in this cohort (few in underground contexts) were associated with emotion regulation ability and coping skills. An adapted measure of SubT operational potential demonstrated utility in the current sample based on positive associations with previous experience, navigation skills, resilience, problem-focused coping, and positive affect, as well as negative associations with self-regulation difficulties, phobias, and anxiety. Findings are discussed in a LSCO context that could require short- and long-term subterranean missions executed within a multidomain operational framework.