July 1, 2015 'PTSD can create a new normal that's a lot worse' June 27 was recognized as National Post-Tramatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day. This has been authorized by the United States Congress since 2010, and last year Congress designated the whole month of June as PTSD Awareness Month, to offer more opportunity to educate the public on this significant
June 26, 2015 What You Should Know this PTSD Awareness Day To bring greater awareness to the issue of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the United States Senate designated June 27 as National PTSD Awareness Day. June has been designated as PTSD Awareness Month by the National Center for PTSD (NCPTSD). PTSD is an intense physical and emotional response
June 11, 2015 2015 DOD Warrior Games to begin June 19 The opening ceremony for the 2015 Department of Defense Warrior Games is scheduled for 11 a.m. EDT, June 19, at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia.The Air Force will be represented by 40 team members and five alternates, including 22 active-duty and 23 retired or separated
June 1, 2015 Diamond in the rough: Airman’s recovery from a haunted past Growing up, many of his childhood nights were spent staring through a gaping hole in his bedroom ceiling. He didn't know how it got there, but sometimes it served as a pleasant escape from the surrounding chaos. It gave access to the wide open Oklahoma sky and he positioned his mattress in the
May 13, 2015 Airman returns home to Nepal earthquake When Senior Airman Manoj Khatiwada was asked to join a team of Pacific Air Force Airmen traveling to Nepal to assist the government with relief operations following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake, he was filled with mixed emotions."Returning to Nepal for this mission was an emotional moment for me. I
May 13, 2015 Hill’s resilient chief nurse serves in a resilient country Resilience is a term today's Airmen hear often. One Hill Air Force Base nurse has lived a life full of resilience and put it to use in a country in great need of the same.Lt. Col. Kristin Carlson, 75th Medical Group chief nurse, recently returned from a short-notice deployment to Kabul, Afghanistan,
May 11, 2015 Behavioral health services available in primary care clinics Airmen, veterans and family members seeking care for a variety of mental health and medical conditions have direct access to care from their primary care clinic. The support is available through the Air Force's Behavioral Health Optimization Program (BHOP), a consultation service within primary
April 23, 2015 Barksdale reservist saves a life For the average worker, leaving the house every day doesn't lead to becoming a hero, however, for first responders that possibility is always there, as is the chance for disaster.When Bowie County Sheriff Deputy Kenny McMillen, who is also an Air Force reservist assigned to the 307th RED HORSE at
April 23, 2015 Orthotic tech helps military working dog walk again Army Maj. Andrea Henderson, the veterinarian at the Department of Defense Holland Military Working Dog (MWD) Hospital here, first started treating SStash last October. A degenerative disease had led to one of SStash's hind legs needing surgery."He's done so much for us and for his country, it's the
April 16, 2015 99th Medical Group wins research awards The 99th Medical Group's Family Medicine Residency (FMR) and Clinical Investigation Program (CIP) recently took home two research awards.The CIP was presented with the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States 2014 Training and Education Award, and the FMR was presented with the 2015
April 15, 2015 Laboratory technicians: small numbers, large impact Tech. Sgt. Richard Minton said he never really understood the impact of being a medical laboratory technician in the Air Force until he deployed to Afghanistan in 2012.There, he experienced firsthand the importance of his craft while delivering blood to servicemembers receiving treatment for
April 15, 2015 Darkest before dawn (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)The worst day of his life was Aug. 13, 2011.He can't recall the details of that fateful afternoon, but Phillip Sisneros, known by most as just "Phil,"
April 8, 2015 Iron Airman seeks challenges to better herself (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)The flight instructor sat across from U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Katherine Shaw with an expressionless face. The instructor took in a deep breath as
April 8, 2015 Commentary: Below the Surface of Anxiety In the Air Force, you constantly hear resiliency messages and taglines. I was like everyone else and didn't take these messages seriously, but they're here for a reason. This is my reason. I hate to admit it, but it's true. I live every day in fear. Anxiety boils down to fear regardless of whether
April 7, 2015 Alcohol Awareness Month: Take action, be a good wingman 4/7/2015 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Commentary by ADAPT Clinic59th Mental Health Squadron4/6/2015 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- In 2014, there were approximately 80,000 preventable deaths; the leading cause among them was alcohol. April is Alcohol Awareness Month; it
March 9, 2015 Taking care of Airmen: How Air Force mental health services helped a family recover Two local NCOs have been on a journey of recovery since losing their son to leukemia nearly nine years ago, a journey they said couldn't have happened without the mental health services available to Airmen and their families.Master Sgt. Emily Gazzaway, the Air Force Academy's senior enlisted aide,
March 4, 2015 Resiliency results in success To have resilience means to be able to withstand difficult conditions and come out on top.In every Air Force career, Airmen are taught to be resilient when they are away from their homes and families.However, for Airman 1st Class Henry Sorenson, 509th Security Forces Squadron member, this was a
Feb. 23, 2015 Staff sergeant beats cancer For many people Independence Day is all about celebration, spending time with family and watching fireworks light up the night sky. However, on July 4, 2014, there was no celebrating for Staff Sgt. Richard L. Johnson.On that fateful day at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., the 660th Aircraft
Dec. 16, 2014 Holidays are time to reach out to those who may need help For some, the holidays come and go crazy fast with Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's. For others it doesn't go by fast enough. They find no fun at the office holiday parties rife with games others consider to be the highlight of the party. While
Dec. 3, 2014 Resiliency in numbers Most Airmen have probably heard the expression "there's strength in numbers." Most Airmen have also probably heard of Comprehensive Airmen Fitness. When it comes to building resiliency, the two are not unrelated.The four domains of comprehensive fitness are mental, physical, social and spiritual