OBJECTIVE To investigate the adaptability and psychological health status of the students from the military medical universities enrolled in the medical support service for military training on the sea, so as to provide more pertinent and specific psychological advice for students in military medical universities. METHODS The psychological health status of 139 students were assessed by issuing a self-rating symptom scale (SCL-90) before the training and later before the maneuvers commenced, respectively. RESULTS Except for obsessive-compulsive and interpersonal sensitivity factors, significant increases were recorded in the scores for other factors immediately before the maneuvers as compared with those recorded before the training (P<0.01, P<0.05). The positive symptom rates of various factors measured before the maneuvers were also higher. CONCLUSIONS It is the essential task for daily psychological health education to help the students foster psychological self-regulation ability and cope with stresses to strengthen their psychological well-being. Building self-confidence, improving the adaptability and conquering fears should be the primary concern of the psychological advisors before military actions.