The Growing Concern for Mental Health Among Drone Operators
The latest draft of the annual defense policy bill is set to address an urgent, yet often overlooked issue within the military: the mental health of drone operators and analysts. As unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) become increasingly integral to modern warfare, the Pentagon is tasked with conducting a psychological study to assess the mental health issues faced by these service members and civilians who operate or support these systems in combat.
Understanding the Mental Health Landscape
The study will investigate various mental health conditions that drone operators may experience, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, burnout, and moral injury. The latter is a term that resonated during the Global War on Terror (GWOT) and captures the psychological distress arising from ethical conflicts faced by personnel involved in drone strikes.
The prevalence of these conditions is especially concerning given the unique stressors associated with remote warfare. Drone operators often engage in long, high-stress work shifts, witnessing lethal strikes from thousands of miles away. This detached involvement can create feelings of isolation, especially when they are faced with the stark realities of civilian casualties.
Limitations of the Study
However, it’s important to note that the study may not encompass all forms of drone warfare. Experts suggest that it might not include insights from short-range, first-person-view drone fights occurring in conflicts like the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. “The American military has limited experience in this type of peer-to-peer robotic combat,” pointed out Molly Campbell, a research assistant specializing in drones. As such, the findings may primarily reflect the unique American experience of drone warfare during the GWOT.
A Shift in Perspective
The inclusion of this psychological study in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is anticipated to draw attention to the welfare of drone operators, particularly as the military ramps up its operations in areas like the Caribbean against alleged drug trafficking. Further, the study could potentially improve access to mental health resources for those involved in drone operations, providing a formal acknowledgment of their specific challenges.
In recent years, literature, including a notable review in the Journal of Mental Health & Clinical Psychology, has shed light on how the remote nature of drone warfare gives rise to distinct mental health challenges. Operators often monitor targets for extended periods, safe from physical harm but still intimately connected to the psychological impact of their actions.
The Stigma of Mental Health Care
One of the barriers faced by drone operators in seeking mental health care is the stigma associated with it in military culture. Many personnel fear that disclosing mental health issues could negatively impact their careers, especially given the secretive nature of their missions. This barrier complicates research efforts and may deter UAS specialists from sharing their mental health concerns.
Scope of the Research
The proposed study aims to cover various aspects of drone operation, including the effects of shift work, sleep disruption, and emotional disengagement. Importantly, it will not just focus on drone pilots but will also include analysts who interpret combat imagery and make targeting assessments. Dr. Georgia Butcher, an anthropologist who has extensively studied drone personnel, emphasizes that analysts are integral to the decision-making processes and should not be overlooked in this research.
The study also seeks to compare the experiences of drone operators with personnel engaged in traditional combat roles, broadening the understanding of mental health across different aspects of military operations.
Broader Implications for the Drone Community
There is potential for the study’s findings to extend beyond just operators and analysts. For instance, discussions around including communications personnel may arise, as they too are exposed to the same feeds and psychological stressors during operations. Their inclusion could present a more comprehensive view of the mental health challenges within the drone community.
As the military continues to adapt to the evolving landscape of warfare, understanding the mental health implications for those operating drones is an essential step towards ensuring the overall well-being of service members involved in modern combat scenarios. Through this focused inquiry, the hope is that tangible changes in mental health support and resources can be realized, creating a healthier environment for those on the front lines, even when they are miles away.