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
May 15, 2018 True North program helps Airmen The newly opened Whiteman Welcome Center serves as a one-stop shop for in-processing appointments, including administrative, financial and medical needs. Freestrom and other new arrivals receive a list required appointments from the center’s staff.
May 15, 2018 Check your ego at the door, be your own advocate Master Sgt. James Stalnaker always thought going to mental health was a deal breaker for your career; that mental issues make you a weaker person. It took encountering struggles of his own to change those views.
Oct. 31, 2017 Airman ropes off stress, uses music Sitting on the edge of her stool, staring out at a sea of faces staring back, she tunes her guitar. Once the guitar is just right she takes a sip of her drink, grabs her pick, takes a deep breath and begins playing.Senior Airman Hannah Walker, 633rd Force Support Squadron food service journeyman, is
Oct. 24, 2017 Airman counters life's jabs God. Family. Boxing. That’s all that matters to Airman 1st Class Isaiah Randall, 23rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance apprentice. Life’s unpredictable ups and downs often test people in ways that shake the foundations that give them peace though.
Sept. 19, 2017 Airman drummer beats adversity with style Those who know him would normally describe him as soft-spoken and reserved, but life was and is anything but quiet for this musically-inclined Airman.
Aug. 2, 2017 Psychological Health Advocacy Program at Wright-Patt makes getting help easy Brittney Snider began performing medical procedures on her dolls as a young child and started volunteering at her local hospital at age 13. “My mom said when I cared for my babies, I used to put band aids and fake IVs in them,” said Snider. “I just liked helping people, caring for people who are
Jan. 6, 2017 Overcoming cancer, embracing life She placed a pillow under her right shoulder and put her right arm behind her head on the bed. Using her left hand, she pressed the pads of her fingers around her right breast gently in small circular motions, covering the entire breast area and armpit.