Committed to caring in CAF: Managing stress, plus good mental fitness, equals a more resilient Airman

Published April 14, 2011
By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Stress -- the mere mention of the word might invoke exactly what it represents in some people. In today's Air Force, officials say there are many things that "stress" Airmen than ever before.

First, there are Airmen deploying more than ever before. For example, some Air Force career fields have Airmen deploying for six months, then they are home for six months, and then the cycle repeats itself. Secondly, with that operations tempo and stress, officials note more bad things can happen.

"As operations tempo continues to rise, so do trends in suicides, divorce rates, financial difficulties, and alcohol abuse to name just a few of the alarming statistics we are seeing," states one recently published Air Mobility Command report.

Building the foundation to 'thrive'
There has been an answer to dealing with the rising operations tempo and its related stressors -- enter the Comprehensive Airman Fitness, or CAF, culture. The culture is built to help Airmen manage stress and achieve stronger mental fitness.

Started in July 2010 in AMC, the goal of the CAF culture is to "strengthen and sustain a culture of balanced, healthy, self confident Airmen and their families whose resilience and total fitness enables them to thrive in an era of high operational tempo and persistent conflict around the world," an AMC talking paper on CAF states.

Additionally, the CAF culture is built on four pillars of fitness -- mental, social, physical and spiritual, and five "Cs" -- care, commit, connect, communicate and celebrate. "The intent is to create and sustain communities on our AMC installations that give Airmen and their families a sense of belonging to the Air Force community in which they live, work, and play," the talking paper states.

Leaders are aware
In 2011, the operations tempo is high Airmen around the globe supporting operations Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, New Dawn in Iraq, Tomodachi in Japan and Unified Protector over Libya. AMC's leading behavioral health consultant, Lt. Col. John Jorgensen, said Air Force leaders have recognized the need to help Airmen cope with the operational and personal stressors through a process of "building resilience."

"Airman resilience is a structured program designed to train Airmen in the physical, mental, social and spiritual fitness dimensions," Colonel Jorgenson said. "Of those dimensions in building a resilient Airman, one of the most important is mental fitness."

Colonel Jorgensen added, "When our force is mentally fit, they are better equipped to take on the every-day challenges presented by the Air Force and the military. We face deployments, high operations tempo, and other stressors that bring us challenges every day in dealing with our mental health."

What to do about stress
Air Force officials in the Air Force Resiliency Program define "resilience" as the ability to withstand, recover and grow in the face of stressors and changing demands. Airmen "can be ready for those stressors and changing demands by continuously building" resiliency skills.

Colonel Jorgenson noted that it's really about the person who is stressed and how they deal with the stressors in their lives.

"Every person has their own set of beliefs, morals and core values," Colonel Jorgensen said. "Don't be afraid to seek help when you begin a struggle, whether it's your wingman or one of the many helping agencies on base, getting help early gets the problem under control before there are negative outcomes."

Getting help at any military base is possible, facts show. Airman and family readiness centers are places, for example, that are built to support Airmen and their families during deployment times as well as when Airmen are home. There are also medical professionals at every base trained specifically in helping Airmen manage stress and mental fitness, Colonel Jorgenson said.

"No one Airman is ever alone," he said.

At the Web site, militaryonesource.com, some tips are listed in an article to assist people in managing personal stress, which in turn also "can help build resilience."

"Recognize when you're stressed," the article states. "Physical signs include neck or back pain, trouble sleeping, muscle tension, and shortness of breath.

"Learn how to relax. Take a few slow, deep breaths, go for a 10-minute walk, or listen to soothing music," the article states. "Concentrate on the things you can control. Ask yourself, 'Is there anything I can do to change this situation?' If the answer is no, try to let it go."

The article also explains the importance of people taking care of themselves.

"Take care of yourself," the article states. "Get enough sleep and exercise, eat healthy foods, and be sure to drink water throughout the day. Make time for activities you enjoy. Spend time with friends or family, read a book, or try a new hobby."

Furthermore, the article highlights the importance to "laugh often, get organized at home, simplify your life, have a positive outlook," and possibly most importantly, "seek expert help if you need it."

"If stress starts to overwhelm you or lasts for an extended time, seek expert help," the article states.

However it is affects people, officials say that people who are stressed have to manage it and find outlets to lessen the burden it causes. Also, Airmen "should always remember they have a wingman somewhere."

"We, as Airmen, have to prepare ourselves and find the right combination of things in our lives that gives us the tools to cope and manage stressors as well as do things that brings us happiness," Colonel Jorgenson said. "From that, we can achieve mental fitness and reduce stress."

(Editor's note: This is the sixth in a series of 24 stories for 2011 by Air Mobility Command Public Affairs highlighting the Comprehensive Airman Fitness culture through a "commitment of caring.")