Resiliency takes center stage Published Feb. 9, 2012 By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The 4th Fighter Wing stood down operations to focus on resiliency Jan. 27. "Resiliency is the ability to withstand, recover and grow in the face of stressors and changing demands," according to the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury. During Resiliency Day each squadron commander established a schedule of events designed to enhance their Airmen's physical, mental, social and spiritual fitness. These ranged from a unit run to section luncheons or awareness briefings and included team building activities. "Resilience is not a destination, it is a process," said Senior Master Sgt. Ottis West, 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron operations superintendent and 4th FW master resilience trainer. "Sometimes being resilient is ugly, but if you focus your energy on the things you control, your efforts can change any situation." Resiliency is not a new concept here. For nearly a year base resiliency trainers have been offering monthly classes designed to provide Airmen tools to deal with everyday stressors. The classes discuss coping skills for dealing with the Air Force's high operations tempo, force restructuring, date of separation rollbacks and personnel issues. "(Resiliency) is a proactive program," West said. "Most programs the military has are reactive; we are going at it from a different angle. We teach skills before a problem occurs, so if something does go wrong a person can bounce back and grow in the face of adversity. As leaders, we owe this to our troops." The wing's focus on resiliency is something Col. Patrick Doherty, the 4th FW commander is proud of. "This program has been incredibly successful at helping people bounce back," Doherty said. "Everybody needs to be resilient; it affects everybody, rank does not matter. You have to live a balanced life." There are several helping agencies at the 4th FW. The Airman & Family Readiness Center offers Airmen and their families assistance and advice on everything from financial management to resume writing. For information about the services they offer, call 919-722-1123. The mental health flight is available to assess and treat Airmen. To schedule a mental health appointment, call 919-722-1883. Base chaplains offer Airmen confidential counseling sessions. To schedule an appointment with a chaplain, call 919-722-1973. "If things are not going the way they should for you, seek help," Doherty said. For more information on Sources of Airmen Resiliency, visit www.seymourjohnson.af.mil and click on the SOAR tab.