521st AMOW leads AMC in resilience training

Published June 27, 2013
By Capt. Sybil Taunton
U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- With the creation of Resilience Strategy 2012, Air Mobility Command set a goal to train 80 percent of its active duty population in resilience skills by the end of 2013.

The Master Resilience Trainers and Resilience Trainer Assistants of the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing surpassed AMCs goal nine months ahead of schedule, with more than 97 percent of their wing trained by the beginning of May.

"At the moment, we have 12 Master Resilience Trainers and 48 Resilience Trainer Assistants within two groups, 12 squadrons, and eight operating locations spread across six time zones and three Combatant Commands," said Master Sgt. Matthew Hose, Master Resilience Trainer for the 521 AMOW. "We are a wing with a 'can do' attitude and we want our neighbors, joint partners, AMC, and especially the Air Force to know they can 'Depend On Us!'"

The majority of Air Force MRTs are trained at the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, through a 10-day Master Resilience Trainer Course. The course includes 20-25 hours of prerequisite, Computer Based Training, in the Academic Instructor Course, also offered by the Center. With the partnership of resilience and instructor training, students not only learn the material but also how to teach the material to other Airmen.

Once graduated from MRTC, they are then sent back to their units to develop qualified Resilience Trainer Assistants. Together, the resilience teams provide in-depth instruction for personnel in their units on the pillars of Comprehensive Airman Fitness; physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing.

"There's not a day that goes by that each individual faces some form of stress, challenge, adversity, negative thoughts or emotions," said Hose. "Unlike previous resilience instructions, this training offers practical skills and tools to mitigate and triumph over conditions that inhibit us from performing to our maximum capacity. In fact, this training transcends beyond our professional environment and is just as essential at home."

According to Hose, the first fundamental lesson in resilience is Activating Events, Beliefs and Consequences, known as ABC. This lesson teaches Airmen that beliefs or thoughts about an activating event dictate consequences, which are Emotions and Reactions (ER).

"Therefore, don't allow your thoughts to take you to the ER," said Hose.

Ivera Harris, AMC Chief of Airmen and Family Services, added resilience skills training encourages behaviors that change how individuals act, think and feel about themselves and others.

"Resilience training reflects the essence of being good Wingmen and reinforces actions to thrive in both good and difficult times," said Harris. "Everyone can enhance their resilience. We also have empirical evidence that shows when resilience is high, risk goes down."

As the first wing to reach Air Mobility Command's training goal, the 521st AMOW resilience team has been asked to support other units in their training efforts, as well.

"It has been a privilege to offer advice, feedback and assistance to the 86th Air Wing in their coordination to make the Resilience Trainer Assistant course available within their wing. Not only are we lending our time and talent to the 86th AW, we also have MRTs and RTAs in places like Turkey and Qatar providing resilience training for installation and U.S. Air Forces Central personnel," said Hose. "As the busiest resilience en route wing in AMC, we are postured and ready to help when called upon."