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'Tunnel of Oppression' allows GFAFB Airmen to discuss important topics

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt Amanda N. Grabiec
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE N.D. --  One Airman here recently came up with an idea to put a new spin on sensitivity training.

Airman 1st Class Cory Churchill, 319th Logistics Readiness Squadron, attended an event called the "Tunnel of Oppression" at the University of North Dakota recently and wanted to bring the experience back to the base to share with other Airmen.

"I volunteered at UND a couple of months ago to be a tour guide for the Tunnel of Oppression," said Churchill. "Going in, I had no real idea what I was doing or what the info was about. But after I went through the tunnel, I was amazed at how good it was."

The 319th LRS Airmen committee, Rising IV, sponsored the base's Tunnel of Oppression to raise awareness on topics ranging from drug and alcohol abuse to suicide and depression.

Airmen entered a building with various rooms devoted to specific topics. After the briefer shared personal experiences about the topic, an open discussion was conducted allowing everyone to share their feelings or experiences.

"It's important to raise awareness on these topics because it's a way for people to get stuff off their chest that they're holding in," said Airman 1st Class Andrew JeanJacques, also with the 319th LRS. "This may make someone feel more comfortable in their work environment because now someone in their office knows what they're going through."

Senior Master Sgt. Lisa Perez, 319th LRS material management flight superintendent, assisted the committee in hosting the event.

"I'm proud that I was able to guide the Airmen in the right direction for who to talk to and make this event happen." Perez said, "They're the ones that wanted to do this and they had the courage to stand up and share their stories."