AMC Airmen learn resilience

by Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

7/17/2013 - MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Air Mobility Command continues to support its Airmen's morale and well being through a resiliency training program.

A one-day resiliency course is required for all AMC active duty Airmen and must be completed before the year's end.

Resilience training was developed in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania and was first implemented into the Air Force in 2011.

"[Developing resilience] can help you succeed in your career, take on new challenges, and thrive from them," said Tech. Sgt. Amanda McDowell, 22nd Force Support Squadron vehicle operator and AMC resilience course instructor.

They are looking to implement something that can help people cope with the stresses of life that we all go through in the military, she added.

The class focuses on the four pillars of comprehensive Airman fitness: physical, social, mental, and spiritual. The structure derived and expanded from the Army's five dimensions of strength.

"I thought the [class] atmosphere was really good," said 1st Lieutenant Evan Johnston, 384th Air Refueling Squadron pilot. "People were very open and relaxed, which is the best way go. When they are intimidated by rank or situations, it's less constructive."

Research conducted by the Navy revealed some of the positive outcomes from resilience training.

"They observed certain units who went through resiliency training and other units who didn't," said McDowell. "The ones who went through the training had succeeded much higher than the ones who did not, in terms of morale, productivity and dealing with stress."

Students are engaged in a variety of group discussions during the eight-hour course.

"As the instructor," said McDowell, "I want to keep it as low-key and open-forum as possible, because I believe you learn more from other people's experiences rather than reading through a bunch of slide power points that we could just send you."

Classmates are encouraged to share positive experiences they have experienced over their previous 72 hours and identify their strengths and weaknesses.

They also learn different techniques on how to address problems with other people without directly attacking their personal beliefs and ways they can avoid "thinking traps," such as jumping to conclusions and emotional reasoning.

A series of inspirational and humorous videos are used as examples of the lessons between group exercises and lectures.

"I thought the videos were good," said Johnston, "because it lightens the mood but at the same time, if you ask the right questions you will see that there is a point to the videos. They were more than just something to laugh at."

The course provides Airmen with a set of tools to help them through difficult situations such as getting out of bed in the morning or adjusting to a serious life changing event.

"I think resiliency is being able to take a challenge or a stressor of any kind," said McDowell, "and just place one foot in front of the other and keep taking that step to improve rather than just sitting and waiting for something to fall into your lap. It's a growing experience, and that is the most important thing, to grow from your challenges and adversities or others."