Patient

SGT Marcus Hale, 26 — combat medic pulled from debrief after a patrol. His battle buddy PFC Carlos Diaz did not come back. Marcus is in acute shock, scanning for Diaz, and already rehearsing survivor guilt.

Clinical challenge

Deliver a clear KIA notification, hold acute grief and self-blame without filling the silence, and assess safety without turning care into a form.

Strong performance looks like

• ·Checks what Marcus has already heard before delivering the KIA news
• ·Names guilt as love without reinforcing self-blame, and stays in the silence
• ·Assesses safety as care for Marcus — then offers a concrete handoff without rushing him