Author Description

Applied psychology in combat units of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is challenging on many levels, especially in hostile environments. This book gives a theoretical and practical overview of psychology in the IDF, focusing on practical psychology within operational units. The Combat Psychologist gives personal insight into the author’s experience as an officer in the IDF Special Forces combined with his role as a psychologist working with various members of the IDF elite units. Whereas most psychology resources on the military are devoted to individual treatment, especially of PTSD, and research, this book describes how combat units successfully apply organizational psychology and investigates which factors contribute to this success and those that interfere with it. The lessons that can be learned from this account can be applied to other militaries as well as high stress civilian organizations. Commanders in operational and emergency units, company managers, as well as psychology professionals can all gain practical information from Abramson’s first-hand experience and deep understanding of this subject. Rocky Abramson is a Canadian-born combat psychologist (major) in the Israeli Army reserves, who applies his practical psychology knowledge and unique experience to high stress situations and crises. He served in the Special Forces and other elite units of the IDF as both a combat officer and a psychologist, often combining the two. He has engaged in organizational consulting and conducted an array of workshops ranging from Leadership and Team Building, to Coping with Stress and Creative Thinking. Abramson specializes in 'The Psychology of Terror' and applying psychology concepts to operational plans. He lives in a neighborhood in the Jerusalem hills and has three children – all IDF reservists.