Single Airman Initiative provides Airmen with fun, community

by Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

1/21/2015 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- In 2010, the 375th Force Support Squadron adopted a new Air Force program called the Single Airman Initiative.

Funded by the Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force, and administered by Headquarters Air Force Services Agency, the program provides trips and events for single enlisted Airmen, regardless of rank, for a nominal fee.

"The goal is to provide resources that encourage a strong way of life, duty and a sense of community for single Airmen," said Garry Green, Scott AFB SAI Manager. "When we started the program it was hard to get people to sign up due to lack of visibility. Now we have a waiting list for almost every trip."

Green finds, plans and coordinates each event with a minimum amount of volunteers for the day. Before a trip can be funded, Scott Outdoor Recreation must show that it will teach attendees a skill or life lesson. For example rock climbing teaches patience, perseverance and problem solving skills. Green said the program also enhances resiliency and contributes to readiness.

During a recent visit to Scott, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody, and his wife, Athena, were inspired by one Airman's story of what the program means to her.

"The Single Airman Initiative program has personally provided myself and others like me the resources to foster the Air Force culture, mission, and a sense of community for the single Airmen within our Air Force," said Staff Sgt. Haida StarEagle. "This program is vital to many active duty members because some Airmen are facing issues which may be overlooked by leadership at all levels. Moving is also stressful for single Airmen, not just those with families. For example, many single, first term Airmen have to contend with issues such as being assigned to a new location with no social network of support and no transportation."

StarEagle said reintegration to normal day-to-day operations outside of a deployed location is a challenge in itself and even harder for someone who is single with no support system. StarEagle was introduced to the SAI program in 2006 after returning from a deployment to Iraq. Her supervisor at the time was notified by her friends that she was secluding herself within the confines of her dorm room and not participating in the activities she used to partake in. Knowing she was an adrenaline junky and avid extreme sports participant, her supervisor introduced StarEagle to her base's Outdoor Recreation department.

StarEagle arrived at Scott a little more than three months ago. It has been hard for her adapting to stateside life after serving seven years in an overseas environment.
Being the new person again she found comfort in a program she has depended on for almost her entire career. Since she arrived at Scott, her leadership and co-workers said they have noticed she has adapted to this location faster than most.

From a military standpoint, I believe that the root benefit of the program here is to increase the resiliency within the force. Building relationships with others during these trips and signing up for another one knowing that they have made new friends with similar interests confirms that the SAI program is a successful program. It opens up new gateways for Airmen to express their concerns with someone who they feel they can open up to and trust. These types of relationships can be difficult to find in a military where it seems everyone has a family, and you don't want to impinge on their personal time."

She says Scott's SAI program is the best by far, a statement that mirrors a recent Air Force Times article that tied Scott's program with Luke AFB, Arizona, for the No. 1 SAI program.

StarEagle is optimistic that in the future each base will have an Air Force SAI representative so they can collaborate, exchange ideas, and enhance resiliency among the ranks by reinforcing the benefits of the current program.

Last year the Scott SAI program provided 17 trips, one or two every month, and has managed close to 50 since the initiative began here three years ago. If members do not have transportation, ODR will pick them up from the dorms. Two trips unique to Scott are an underground kayaking adventure and a hot air balloon trip. This year single Airman can look forward to more overnight trips. If you have an idea for a trip, members can email Garry Green directly or visit ODR. For more information or to sign up visit www.375fss.com.