March 24, 2020 The Air Force is protecting Airmen while protecting the nation How do you stand “shoulder to shoulder” in a time of COVID-19? For the United States Air and Space Forces, and indeed the entire United States military, this is no small question. It is so pressing, in fact, that the Air Force’s medical staff, in collaboration with experts nationwide, have been
Nov. 18, 2019 Long Ranger Resilience: Col. Dennis Britten As part of an on-going series of features and interviews on resiliency, we highlight a Reserve Citizen Airman of the 307th Bomb Wing who has overcome obstacles to improve themselves and the Air Force. This month, we feature Col. Dennis Britten, 307th Medical Squadron commander whose work ethic and
Oct. 4, 2019 Schriever breast cancer survivor stresses prevention October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual international campaign organized to increase awareness of the disease, educate people about the importance of early screening, and offer support to those affected. Tech. Sgt. Jamie Ruíz, 21st Medical Squadron technician, was diagnosed with
Sept. 26, 2019 BHOP: The one-stop shop There’s a worldwide epidemic haunting our U.S. Air Force Airmen, causing significant grief and hardship. In the recent video, Wright urges leaders at all levels to provide an environment for Airmen to voice their concerns, listen intently to those concerns and then lead them in direction toward the
Sept. 19, 2019 Overcoming domestic violence: A story of resilience As a little boy, the Airman watched, terrified, as his father shoved his mother against a wall, screaming in her face. The angry shouts became muffled as he cupped his tiny hands around his ears in an attempt to escape the horror.But, for the longest time, he could not escape it.
Sept. 6, 2019 Keeping the pack strong: Your mental health teams One in five adults in the United States, roughly 46.6 million, experience mental illness in a given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The Air Force’s Comprehensive Airman Fitness pillars are key to ensuring Airmen are taking care of each other while maintaining balance in
Sept. 4, 2019 Peterson Airmen save life In the beginning of August, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein ordered all wings to stand down for a day and focus on resiliency and suicide prevention due to the alarming increase of suicide rates in the U.S. Air Force in 2019.
Aug. 28, 2019 Helping wounded airmen recover with dignity, resolve, and resiliency With his personal life and military career spiraling out of control due to increased alcohol consumption, heightened self-doubt, and an amplified apathy for living, Air Force Master Sgt. (Ret.) Adam Boccher eventually exited the road to rock bottom and ruin through a program initiated to assist
May 30, 2019 Cadet's resiliency helps in battle against cancer Parker Hammond was in the best shape of his life.The Air Force Academy cadet had recently completed a challenging global obstacle race and rebounded after a string of sports injuries ended his Falcon football career.But cancer doesn’t discriminate.During his junior year, Hammond found a lump on his
May 24, 2019 Seeking mental health treatment: 49th Maintenance Group chief shares his experience with PTSD “Dealing with a traumatic event from 2011 in Afghanistan, I realize now that I probably needed help long before 2018, but at the time I felt like I’d figured out how to control the ghosts in my head. I forced myself to keep them at bay, and instead of dealing with my problems, I just let them
Dec. 11, 2018 Operational Medical Element enhances health, human performance for ISR Wing The combined effects of operational and occupational stressors, and combat exposure, whether in person or virtually, can often result in a decrease in physical and mental wellness, creating the need for an Operational Medical Element (OME).The 70th ISR Wing’s OME is a function of the wing’s Surgeon
Dec. 8, 2018 One step at a time Senior Master Sgt. David Snyder put on his physical training uniform and fought the tension inside his chest. It was the day of his annual PT test. Like all his tests before, he had been preparing for months. But this time, he was a lot more nervous.
Nov. 28, 2018 Mental health providers, leadership partner for deployment resiliency, readiness Deployed mental health providers work closely with leadership to help maintain warfighter resiliency and readiness.Service members are away from their usual support systems during deployment, and because the environment and stress puts them in unusual situations, they require innovative and flexible
Nov. 26, 2018 Deploying mental health care downrange Deployed mental health providers play a vital role in delivering medical care downrange, ensuring the health of the warfighter and the mission.Even though service members who deploy are medically ready, both physically and mentally, the rigors of deployment can take a toll.
Nov. 23, 2018 Combating suicide: What can I do today? Multiple Air Force initiatives are working toward a common goal; Empowering Leaders and Airmen to increase morale, cohesion, and readiness by recognizing when Airmen need help, decreasing barriers to help-seeking, and creating a culture in which Airmen and their families thrive.
Nov. 14, 2018 Resiliency as part of the healing process The Air Force Wounded Warrior Program (AFW2) kicked off its Northeast Region Warrior CARE Event at the National Harbor this morning, starting the week with a day of resiliency programs featuring music, yoga, journaling and improvisational comedy workshops.
Nov. 5, 2018 ‘Tis the season to be resilient Building resiliency is one of the best ways we maintain our commitment to delivering Trusted Care, Anywhere.
Aug. 19, 2018 Finding healing through helping others Senior Master Sgt. Richard “Joe” Chwalik has been through a lifetime’s worth of setbacks; incidents that have left long-lasting emotional scars. Yet, he found his way through the darkness by asking for help when he needed it most.
May 31, 2018 Two worlds, one way of life: former monk becomes Airman For most people, spending a day without their phone is an impossible feat. To spend 30 days without a phone, writing, reading, talking or even eye contact would seem unfathomable, but for Thailand Buddhist monks, this is their world. After spending 18 years in that world as a monk, Airman 1st Class
May 16, 2018 Embedded care teams work to improve Airman resiliency For Airmen at the 363rd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing, stress is an occupational hazard. Pressing deadlines, a heavy workload and constant pressure are requirements of the mission.They are also one of a growing number of units combating those stressors with an embedded care