Soldiers may also elect not to wear a combat patch. Controversies have arisen in recent years over brigade commanders' decisions to ban combat patches in certain situations. This has been done in an effort to make new recruits, who didn't have the patches, feel less excluded.
Cortisol functions to reduce inflammation in the body, which is good, but over time, these efforts to reduce inflammation also suppress the immune system. Chronic inflammation, caused by lifestyle factors such as poor diet and stress, helps to keep cortisol levels soaring, wreaking havoc on the immune system.
Resistance If stress is prolonged, the adrenal glands will start to become more fatigued and therefore will use other hormones (i.e. pregnenolone) to help make cortisol. Cortisol levels may be normal or high during this phase, but DHEA levels may be low, which can negatively impact Testosterone levels.