The second study focused on replicating and furthering the findings of Study 1 to confirm the component structure received for the combat experiences measured in Study 2. The study then examined the effects that the operational stressors had on outcomes. The goal was to eventually propose and test a model that examined whether or not PMIEs occurred during deployment and played a part in psychological distress and turnover intentions. It was suggested that psychological distress would mediate the relationship between PMIEs and turnover intentions, ultimately controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and exposure to other combat-related stressors. Participants who had deployed from the later parts of the mission in Afghanistan were asked to fill out a survey that asked them the frequency of experiencing anxiety and depressive symptoms, their intentions to leave their career and their experience of combat-related stressors. The results showed that PMIEs were related to military personnel leaving the field due to psychological distress.