ABSTRACT
The goal of this chapter is to assist the civilian practitioner to understand the importance of military culture and its impact on the service member before considering medication as a treatment option. Each situation requires an understanding of that service member’s duty status, job description, and potential for activation into military duty both at home and abroad. As the choice of pharmacologic agent may have a significant impact on the service member’s career, the mental health practitioner must choose wisely between psychological interventions only and categories of medication that may be considered nonpsychiatric, or psychiatric depending on the situation at hand. The overriding goal is always to keep our service members safe and, as a result, our civilians, safe. The mental health practitioner must walk a fine line when treating one of these heroes, but they must keep in mind that while treating these brave men and women it is important to help them maintain their courage, self-esteem, and, whenever possible, careers.
