PSYOP SOLDIERS ARE ASSESSED AND SELECTED FOR THEIR INTELLECT, CRITICAL AND ANALYTICAL THINKING SKILLS, ADAPTABILITY AND MENTAL RESILIENCE. THEY ANALYZE OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS, PHYSICAL TARGETS AND TARGET AUDIENCES; ADVISE ON PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS; PLAN INFLUENCE OPTIONS; DEVELOP ACTIONS AND MESSAGES TARGETING PSYCHOLOGICAL VULNERABILITIES; DELIVER OPTIMALLY TIMED ACTIONS AND MESSAGES; AND ASSESS INFLUENCE EFFECTIVENESS. OPERATING IN SMALL, AUTONOMOUS TEAMS, PSYOP UNITS CONDUCT MILITARY INFORMATION SUPPORT OPERATIONS; DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DECEPTION ACTIVITIES; BUILD PARTNER INFLUENCE CAPACITY; AND, WHEN CALLED UPON BY THE PRESIDENT, PROVIDE CIVIL AUTHORITY INFORMATION SUPPORT.