The four pillars of Comprehensive Airman and Guardian Fitness are Mental, Social, Physical and Spiritual. Each of these pillars is key to the resilience of Airmen, Guardians and their families.
CAF equips Airmen and Guardians with the tools and skills required to continually assess and adjust, or calibrate, to their environment by allowing them to maintain the necessary balance of cognitive skill, physical endurance, emotional stamina and spiritual well-being needed to execute our central mission - to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace. The pillars of CAF can be extremely valuable in terms of preventing the development of symptoms of PTSD.
Research indicates that when Airmen and Guardians are socially connected, have a realistic view of their world, maintain an active physical fitness routine and cultivate a sense of meaning and value in their life, they are less likely to experience mental health problems, including PTSD.
CAF is one way of promoting balance in life and prepare to respond adaptively and positively to stress and trauma.