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McConnell host Care for the Caregiver Retreat

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Armando A. Schwier-Morales
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Every day they serve Airmen throughout the base, but on Nov. 12, 2010, members of the McConnell Unified Services team took time to refuel and refresh during the "Care for the Caregiver" retreat.

McUs is composed of 22 McConnell agencies that support the welfare of the Team McConnell family, and promote Air Mobility Command's Comprehensive Airman's Fitness program.

Within the CAF there are four pillars; social, mental, physical and spiritual fitness.

"We felt that what we needed to bring [McUs members together], said Chaplain (Maj.) Cliff Short, 22nd Air Refueling Wing chaplain and McUs chairperson. "This gives us a platform to talk about how we are implementing CAF, and how we are taking the four pillars and applying it to our lives and Airmen's lives.

To accomplish this, McUs recruited the help of Nealy Brown, Ph.D., to help McUs help others.

Alisa Norlin, 22nd Force Support Squadron family advocacy outreach manager, said she hopes the retreat will help her reorder work, reduce unnecessary steps and become more efficient in helping Airmen.

With a series of sessions about setting priorities, maintaining those priorities, taking good care of oneself and following through with plans, McConnell's McUs agencies were given a new set of tools to help Airmen.

"When care-givers are properly fueled, those they care for receive the quality assistance they deserve," said Chaplain (Capt.) Quentin Genke, 22nd Air Refueling Wing protestant chaplain.

Dr. Brown used metaphors, audience participation and workbooks to help get her message across to McUs members.

"This event helped McUs members revitalize their spirits, so that we are not as stressed," said John Hardy, 22nd Comptroller Squadron deputy comptroller. "It also gave us something to improve ourselves,"

After Dr. Brown's seminar, the team was given time to apply the new tools that were presented by completing their workbooks and having a relaxing evening to themselves.

"I think the afternoon session was the best part, allowing those of us who are always on the run, literally, to slow down physically and emotionally recuperate," said Mrs. Norlin.

With the day completed and McUs members refueled, Dr. Brown hoped the members would retain all they had learned during the day.

"Hopefully we can create some momentum, as we inspire and motivate Airmen," said Dr. Brown. "This training challenges others to implement [the tools learned today] so they are focused on what is important; the mission of the Air Force and the mission you have in your own lives."

The McUs was formed in August 2010 out of the Integrated Delivery System which had a similar focus of spreading CAF message.