Pittsburg Reservist trains at SJ AFB Published Oct. 5, 2010 By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- In order to expand their knowledge base, sometimes Airmen have to search beyond traditional avenues to find training opportunities. When Maj. Nicole Santoro relocated to the Goldsboro area, she realized Seymour Johnson AFB could offer a unique training opportunity for her fellow Pittsburg Reservists. In Pittsburg, her team worked as a stand-alone base with no mental health treatment facility. "I saw there was a large mental health department, and I contacted the commander to request we perform our training in their facility," said Major Santoro, 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron OIC of mental health. "They were more than gracious enough to assist in making this happen." This is how Master Sgt. Britte Clay, 911th ASTS NCO in charge of mental health, ended up spending her two weeks of Reservist duty at the 4th Medical Group Mental Health Clinic. "Taking advantage of opportunities like this allows Reservists to receive hands-on training with providers, family advocacy, ADAPT and patients in a clinical setting, which otherwise could not be achieved at a small stand-alone Reserve unit, such as the 911th ASTS," Sergeant Clay said. "It is often difficult for Reservists to acquire hands-on training at a limited facility, which makes the relationship to active-duty bases with a larger facility so important." Master Sgt. James Birdwell, 4th Medical Operations Squadron mental health flight chief, worked to ensure Sergeant Clay's time here was wisely used. "We covered a lot of the basics of doing briefings, completing intakes and doing psych testing that became available while she was here," Sergeant Birdwell said. In addition to participating in hands-on training, Sergeant Clay was also able to observe methods used to disseminate information and spread awareness of mental health issues on base. "The most important thing I took away from the training was the dedication shown for suicide prevention at the 4th MDG (by Dee Dee) Doherty and the key spouses," she said. "The commander and Mrs. Doherty invited Major Santoro and me to the key spouse briefings and luncheon. The briefings provide an excellent forum to disseminate important information and focus on decreasing the rate of suicides." The joint training is something that both Sergeants Clay and Birdwell are looking forward to continueing.