MINNEAPOLIS ST PAUL AIR RESERVE STATION, Minn. -- The 934th Airlift Wing has won the Department of Defense Reserve
Family Readiness Award for 2014.
The Reserve Family Readiness Award
recognizes one National Guard and Reserve unit from each of the seven Reserve
components and the winners are those units with the best programs to support
their military families.
On Feb. 27, Lt. Col. Susan Maki, 934th Force
Support Squadron commander and Mr. Mike Sanford, the 934th Airman and Family
Readiness program director, will receive the award during an official ceremony
at the Pentagon.
While the 934th Airman and Family Readiness list of
accomplishments is impressive, A&FR Director Mike Sanford attributes the
office's success to a philosophy of making sure everyone who comes through the
door leaves satisfied. "We try to provide something useful to each Airmen or
family member who walks through the door. We ask them before they leave if the
visit has been helpful. If they don't say yes, we have not done our job,"
Sanford said. "We have traditional Reservists working here on the UTAs and we
understand the challenges that TRs have with the limited amount of time they are
out here and the huge amount of things they need to get done in that time. If
we don't have an immediate answer for them, we will find a resource for them
that will give them the answer," he said.
Each Reserve Command is asked
to select their top unit for recognition at the annual ceremony. Selection is
based on measurable factors using specific criteria established by each RC, such
as:
· Command involvement in the program that builds its effectiveness
·
Specific, innovative programs that support unit mission and family
readiness
· Efforts that build community support (e.g., outreach to faith
communities, Veteran Service Organizations, behavioral health providers, medical
resources, and household supports)
· Delivery of support to the total force
(unit/individual support given regardless of branch)
During the year,
the 934th Airman & Family Readiness office was the the leading "go-to"
resource for Airmen and family members during times of separation.
Throughout
the year, 367 Airmen deployed or mobilized in support of various operations. In
addition, another 340 members deployed for wing exercises. A&FR supported
the Airmen and their family members by providing information and resources. A
total of 388 Airmen and spouses were briefed on the availability of resources
(national, state and local) for them.
The 934th A&FR office continues
to support those who are transitioning in their career or are unemployed or
under-employed. The office assisted 52 military members find employment by
offering the Career Transition Course, a 3-part course consisting of Resume
Writing, Interviewing Skills and Networking. During this course, participants
learn about corporate and federal resumes, complete mock interviews, a
"30-second elevator" speech, and a thorough review of the LinkedIn website. In
addition, A&FR staff presented at the local Veteran's Career Fair on
employment opportunities and resume writing to over 500 veterans. In addition,
the A&FR office was selected as a short-notice presenter at the MN Federal
Executive Board's Diversity Day, presenting federal resume writing to 51
participants.
A&FR also created the Airman Helping Airman holiday
program. This program allows military and DoD civilians to donate gift cards to
assist other military members and DoD civilians who may be struggling
financially for various reasons. Total number served in the five-state region
was 138. A&FR also partnered with the Army Guard and Union Gospel Mission
providing 288 Thanksgiving Day meals for military members of all services and
their families. This program helps those struggling with unemployment or other
financial hardships by providing a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal to their
families. The office also assisted 84 service members and civilians needing
financial assistance. A total of $7,432 in grants and donations were
solidified.
The A&FR partnership with the Retiree Activities Office
provides another resource located in the same building. Working together, the
two sections provide a one-stop shop where Airmen, families and retirees can go
for information and help.
This partnership organized the Joint Retiree
Appreciation Day. A&FR staff provided information about benefits and
resources for those in attendance, ensuring a successful event. Approximately
300 retirees and family members attended. In addition, the A&FR office
created a presentation provided to Reservists retiring from the military, making
it a mandated requirement for those out-processing. This last year 107 retirees
received this briefing.
"
We take a team approach and discuss some of the
more difficult issues among our A&FR Reservists here to develop the best
possible solution," Sanford said. "Sometimes it is very challenging, but we do
not consider our job complete until we have provided that Airman or family
member with something that is helpful to them."
Training new members of
the Key Spouse and Supporter program is also conducted by the A&FR office.
"This program is really taking off," said Sanford. We have gained a lot of new
members in the past year and they are really able to reach out and connect with
families. This is especially important with a Reserve unit that doesn't have
all the full time resources of an active duty base. It's a great resource for
families of deployed Airmen and provides a connection for them to the military
and other resources that can help deal with the stresses of a
deployment."
Sanford says that even the best program will not function
well if it does not have the support of leadership. "We have tremendous support
from our wing's leadership. Because of this, it really does help us to help
others, which is what our job here is all about."
USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)