Resiliency: The key to overcoming everyday life stressors

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Have you ever overreacted to a situation, been so stressed out that you were unable to redirect your train of thought or jumped down your Airman's, spouse's or friend's throat for no reason?

The Seymour Johnson Resiliency Course offers the base community an opportunity to understand why these situations happen and learn how their perceptions impact events.

"This is a proactive program," said Senior Master Sgt. Ottis West, 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron operations superintendent and course instructor. "Most of the programs the military has are re-active; 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 adversity. As leaders, we owe it to our troops to give them every tool possible to deal with the stressors of everyday life that come with an increased operations tempo, force restructuring, date of separation rollbacks and numerous other personnel issues that are affecting the force."

This course provides tools individuals can use in every aspect of their lives.

"I encourage everyone to work with their first sergeants to register for this class," Col. Patrick Doherty, 4th Fighter Wing commander said. "Although we are the best trained, equipped, and led Air Force in the world, we cannot control and avoid life's personal challenges. But what we can do is to train and educate our team with effective skillsets to overcome adversity and bring a healthy balance to their lives. That's resiliency training and our Airmen are giving the classes big kudos!"

Sergeant West is one of three Air Combat Command certified trainers who attended a Comprehensive Soldier's Fitness Center course through the University of Pennsylvania. He was chosen to become a trainer due to his combat experience; he participated in more than 160 combat missions while deployed to Iraq.

"I'm a coach, this training is not about therapy," he said. "We teach people that problems are local not global. Furthermore, we teach them that situations can be changed by their own effort. They are not helpless victims. We know these skills will increase our airmen's resiliency and make them better Airmen, family members, friends and leaders - by improving their ability to cope with activating events whether positive or negative."

The course focuses on concepts like activating events which can be big or small, negative or positive, something as life changing as having a baby or as simple as being cut off in traffic. It also covers problem solving strategies. The theme of the program is "to grow and thrive in the face of challenges and bounce back from adversity."

"This is a change to Air Force culture," said Lt. Col. Greg Laffitte, 93rd Air Operations Wing resiliency instructor. "We provide a class on how to deal with negative thought processes. We provide techniques and tools that facilitate the helping process."

This course is part of an ongoing program designed to help Airmen enhance their coping skills. It has been implemented into the First Term Airman Center's curriculum, introducing the base's newest members to these concepts. Airmen also receive resiliency training during Airman Leadership School.

"We want to make sure there is continuous follow-up training," Sergeant West said. "This is a structured, enduring program to prepare Airmen and their families for adverse events 'before' they occur."

To do this there are three additional full-day courses offered every month, each one focused toward the unique needs of different groups. There is a session for airman basic through senior airman, one offered to staff and technical sergeants and another open to senior non-commissioned officers, civilians and officers.

"The training in and of itself is a process and not a destination," Sergeant West said. "It is like preparing for a fitness test -- the more someone practices these skills the better they become at performing in each area. Everyone will take something away from this training."

Staff Sgt. Brandon Wright, 4th Aerospace Medicine Squadron public health craftsman, said he learned the importance of getting to know his co-workers, both his subordinates and leadership.

"They have a lot of tools you can use not only in your military career but in your personal life as well," Sergeant Wright said. "Once you attend this class you will realize the areas you have an influence over."

The following are some of the comments from the last group of students who attended the last class:
"This was the best presentation I have seen in my Air Force career."
"This makes me think I can do/achieve something."
"This has to become a trend."
"This is hands down the best class I have attended in the Air Force."

To register for a class, visit the 4th Fighter Wing Professional Growth and Development Community of Practice Web Page from a government computer.