Priority of Airmen's health and wellness

Published July 22, 2024
23 WG/PA

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --

All Airmen live and work in a demanding world where fitness, health, and wellness are crucial for upholding Air Force standards and ensuring operational readiness. The Air Force emphasizes the three pillars of health - spiritual, mental, and physical - as foundational to overall well-being, teaching Airmen how to balance these elements for long-term benefit.

In basic military training, high standards for health, physical fitness, and wellness are set and met daily to instill these benchmarks as a normal routine throughout the rest of their career. However, after basic military training, many still find themselves struggling to balance their overall health with work, family, and other outside factors on a day-to-day basis.

"We ask Airmen to do a lot, in terms of deployments, missions, and combat command missions that we support," said Chief Master Sgt. Chris Wathall, 23rd Medical Group senior enlisted leader. "In order to perform at that high level, you have to be as healthy as possible and able to execute the mission. One of our main responsibilities and missions of the medical group is to take care of our warfighters, ensuring they're ready and healthy enough to deploy. When individuals face challenges in physical and mental health, we're here to support them and get them back on track."

Image of an Airman training. — Priority of Airmen's health and wellness

U.S. Air Force Airman does bicep curls at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, July 2, 2024. Physical fitness is important in upkeep a service member's operational readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sir Wyrick)

The 23rd MDG has been instrumental in preserving the health and wellness of Moody’s Airmen and constantly work with them to keep them on the proper path.

"We look at all the pillars - spiritual, mental, physical - when assessing overall health," explained Col. Christopher Gonzalez, 23rd MDG commander. "Neglecting one while focusing on the others can have repercussions. We often see Airmen focusing solely on meeting PT test minimums, doing well temporarily, but then neglecting their health afterward. This isn't sustainable nor operationally ready. Neglecting health early on can lead to long-term consequences as you age, with more wear and tear and potentially long-term disabilities."

Healthy eating and physical fitness go hand in hand with shaping a person's overall health. Moody Air Force Base is making strides in order to meet the health needs of its Airmen.

“Recently our dining facility has been working with our maintenance community to offer a midnight meal every night,” said Senior Master Sgt. Bryson Robinson, sustainment services superintendent. “The moment that they get off of their late shifts, getting off at 11pm or later, there's really not a whole lot open here in Valdosta. It's your fast food, it's those things that we want people to be able to have occasionally, but it shouldn't be the cornerstone of their diet. So they can actually go to midnight meal and get all of the foods that they need to meet their micronutrient and macronutrient requirements and they can get their protein. We also just got our Nest contract at the fitness center. One of the greatest benefits is that embedded within the fitness centers, we have contracts that can do protein shakes, healthy smoothies, acai bowls, rice bowls, protein bowls, different things like that.”

Image of an Airman serving people. — Priority of Airmen's health and wellness

A “Nest Nutrition” employee passes a drink to a customer at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, July 16, 2024. Nutritional fitness contributes to resilience by helping service members maintain a healthy weight, protecting them against diet-related diseases that affect physical and cognitive functions, and reducing their vulnerability to stress and depression (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Leonid Soubbotine)

Image of people posing for a photo. — Priority of Airmen's health and wellness

U.S. Air Force Col. Ken Roberts (right), 23rd Mission Support Group commander, and Steve Black, 23rd Force Support Squadron fitness center director (second from right) pose with Chris and Kim Johnson, Nest Nutrition owners, during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, July 16, 2024. Eating healthy, balanced meals, along with getting adequate sleep are key to improving physical stamina, injury reduction and overall good health – adding to the overall mission capabilities of Airmen across the USAF. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Leonid Soubbotine)

Image of a group gathering for an event. — Priority of Airmen's health and wellness

U.S. Air Force Col. Ken Roberts, 23rd Mission Support Group commander, speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, July 16, 2024. Offering more on base healthy food options enables Airmen stationed at Moody AFB to focus on their physical fitness, mental well-being, and overall healthy eating habits, (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Leonid Soubbotine)

By prioritizing both physical fitness and mental well-being, the Air Force aims to aid Airmen to confidently tackle challenges and enhance overall mission effectiveness.

Robinson explained that whenever Airmen are on alert, seated at their console, or preparing for flight, they require self-assurance in their preparation. Whether it's participating in pre-briefings or flight training, Airmen absorb information effectively when mentally clear, with balanced cortisol levels and heightened testosterone. “This readiness isn't solely achieved through physical fitness; it involves nutrition, mental health, which could mean regular consultations with professionals such as Military and Family Life Counselors or chaplains to ensure mental readiness."

Health and wellness can be challenging, especially considering varying career field demands and personal circumstances, such as family responsibilities. However, individual choices play a crucial role, and resources are available to assist Airmen in making smart decisions.

"The resources available to Airmen are extensive - from mental health services to physical therapy," noted Wathall. "We have True North Providers, the Military and Family Life Counseling, the Military Family Readiness Center, and Military One Source, among others. Knowing where to seek help is critical, and our supervisors, flight leaders, first sergeants, SELs, and commanders are instrumental in guiding Airmen to these resources."

Airmen must be prepared to meet the challenges of their mission, which is the standard in the Air Force. However, achieving this standard requires Airmen to prioritize self-care, as taking care of oneself is not only a personal responsibility but also a collective effort that benefits the entire force.