DescriptionThis paper examined the occurrence of combat-related PTSD, risk factors for it and preventative actions to combat its onset. In order to have a full understanding of this relationship, PTSD symptoms and their potential causal factors were examined. The most notable of these potential causal factors for PTSD include the experience of killing another person, the lack of training necessary to cope with trauma, the presence of trait anger prior to trauma and the lack of social support. Based on these findings, prophylactic measures were examined based on further research. This research suggests that thorough training of enlisted members and the presence of social support enables them to cope better with trauma.