What is referred to as the anticipation of danger in a combat situation?

The concept of anticipation of danger in a combat situation is best captured by combat anxiety. This term reflects the psychological and emotional response individuals may experience when they foresee potential threats or harm in a high-stress environment. Combat anxiety encompasses feelings of fear and apprehension that can arise before engaging with a threatening scenario, prompting individuals to prepare mentally and physically for what may occur.

Survival stress, while related, typically refers to the physiological responses that activate when a person’s life is at risk, such as the fight-or-flight response. Combat stress generally pertains to the overall stress experienced during combat, which can include various psychological and emotional responses beyond just anticipation. The autonomic nervous response describes the physiological changes that happen automatically in the body in response to stress but does not specifically address the anticipation aspect. Thus, combat anxiety is the most accurate term to describe the anticipation of danger in combat situations.