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Grissom Airmen stand down, sharpen resiliency

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Mark Orders-Woempner
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  Like an ax driving through wood, people power through life's problems and stressors. But, just like an ax, their edge can dull and those stressors become harder to cut through.

But, the Airmen of the 434th Air Refueling Wing were able to sharpen their resolve and improve their resiliency during a Wingman Day held here March 6.

"It's the ability to bring awareness and have available tools Airmen need to bounce back," explained Chaplain (Maj.) Obadiah Smith, Jr., 434th ARW chaplain. "We all face stressors, and it's about understanding those stressors and growing from them."

Alison Duncan, 434th ARW social worker, said the training provided Airmen with not just the tools to take care of themselves, but also those useful in helping others.

"Last year we focused on suicide prevention and personal protection; this year builds on that," elaborated Mrs. Duncan. "The focus isn't just on how to deal with stress; the focus is on who can identify people having these issues and getting them the help they need."

To highlight the importance of this training, wing leadership had Airmen across the base stand down and participate in three-hour training sessions led by Airmen from each squadron.

During these sessions Airmen learned how to deal with stress and how to recognize someone who's reaching their stress limit with training focused on the four quadrants of wellness, which include physical, social, mental and spiritual wellbeing.

Facilitators across base also stressed the importance of preventing mishaps and having good situational awareness. The training culminated with a team building project, focused on communication and connecting people.

"The major key component is relational connectivity; you've got to be connected," said Chaplain Smith. "Particularly in the high deployment phase we are in now, things can get stressful."

And, while the chaplain's office and the social worker at Grissom are helpful resources, many times the best person to help is someone closer to the individual in need, said Mrs. Duncan.

"(They) should have established a connection with their wingman so they can call upon them for strength," she added. "We encourage people to ask the question we usually shy away from."

And, that question, which asks if a person is thinking about hurting themselves, is one Airman learned they should not hesitate in asking.

"If you can see someone in need, follow (the ACE concept)," said Mrs. Duncan. "Ask them if they're going to hurt themselves, care for them and escort them to the help they need."

The training, which allowed Airmen to connect with each other and sharpen their wingman skills, also gave them a reprieve from what could be considered a hectic unit training assembly schedule as the 434th ARW ramps up for an upcoming compliance inspection.

"In life, we're cutting down a lot of trees, but we need to take time to sharpen our ax," concluded Chaplain Smith, and that's just what the Grissom Airmen did.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command.

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