Training a resilient family, force

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. – Lt. Col. Greg Laffitte and Col. Patrick Doherty speak on the importance of resiliency in the lives of military members and their families during a resiliency training seminar here Aug. 12, 2011. Being able to bounce back and not break was one of the main themes during the training. Laffitte is a resiliency trainer from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., and Doherty is the 4th Fighter Wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Rae Perry/ Released)

Training a resilient family, force

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. – Lt. Col. Greg Laffitte speaks to members of the resiliency training seminar here Aug. 12, 2011. The training helped Airmen and their families adapt to military life. The analogy used throughout the seminar was to bouncing back from difficult challenges, like a tennis ball, instead of breaking, like an egg. Laffitte is a resiliency trainer from Moody Air Force Base, Ga. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Rae Perry/ Released)

Training a resilient family, force

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. – Members of the first sergeants’ group provided child care for Airmen and spouses attending the resiliency training seminar here Aug. 12, 2011. The training aimed to reduce stress and improve quality of life within military families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Rae Perry/ Released)

Training a resilient family, force

Published Aug. 18, 2011
By Senior Airman Rae Perry
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Team Seymour played host to Air Combat Command's resiliency training for dependents.

"Spouses and teenagers deal with the deployment schedules and battle rhythm that our active duty forces deal with each and every day," explained Col. Patrick Doherty, 4th Fighter Wing commander, "They need just as much resiliency and skill sets that go along with everyday challenges."

Merriam-Webster defines resilience as "an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change." For anyone close to a military member, this is a quality worth having and honing into a valuable defensive tool.

Lt. Col. Greg Laffitte, resiliency trainer from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., helped to adapt training used by the University of Pennsylvania to help improve the lives of military members as well as their spouses and children.

The training taught Airmen and their dependents to avoid thinking traps, detect icebergs, manage energy, solve problems and how to put things into perspective. It also went into more detail about being resilient in real time, identifying strengths in yourself and others, using those strengths to overcome challenges, active constructive responding and praise, assertive communication, and to hunt the good stuff in life.

"Resiliency is about bouncing and not breaking," Laffitte said, "It is about facing something that you are uncomfortable with and accomplishing your goals."

For additional information on being resilient and the resiliency training, contact the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 722-1123.