During the war in Croatia, a number of soldiers were referred to psychiatrists for acute psychological disturbances due combat-related stress. The aim of this study was to determinate the clinical presentation and effect of applied treatment in soldiers who sought psychological help during the most intensive combat period 1991to 1992 and to investigate posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevalence eight years later as a probable acute stress reaction (ASR) outcome. We analyzed the available medical data on the symptoms and course of treatment of 350 soldiers who visited psychiatrist during 1991 and 1992 due to acute psychological disturbances. Out of first pool, 96 persons took part in research eight years later. General demographic questionnaire, list of traumatic events from Harvard trauma questionnaire and Mississippi scale for combat-related PTSD were applied. Soldiers with ASR visited psychiatrist on average once or twice, 64.9% of them returned to the front, 16.5 % were demobilized and 4% remained in psychiatric treatment. Average duration of frontline service was 112 days. Group debriefing came out as a successful treatment technique for ASR in terms of shortening disability period but had no effects on preventing chronic psychological disturbances. Eight years later, 26% veterans suffered from PTSD. Those with and without PTSD did not differ in age, socioeconomic status, and length of military service, ASR treatment and return to the frontline.