Airmen share personal stories of resiliency

Master Sgt. Gustav Dumann, Air Mobility Command Inspector General command fuels inspector, speaks about recovering from PTSD after being hit by a suicide car bomb whille on deployment, during the Storytellers event Mar. 15 at the Scott Event Center at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Storytellers in a less formal setting where speakers can tell their stories of perseverance and resiliency. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Daniel Garcia)

Airmen share personal stories of resiliency

Senior Airman Nikitta Oakley, 15th Operational Weather Squadron weather forecaster, speaks about overcoming an Article 15 for underage drinking early in her career, during the Storytellers event Mar. 15 at the Scott Event Center at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Storytellers in a less formal setting where speakers can tell their stories of perseverance and resiliency. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Daniel Garcia)

Airmen share personal stories of resiliency

(From left to right) Master Sgt. Daniel Kriz, April Honaker, Senior Airman Nikitta Oakley, Col. Linda Hurry, and Master Sgt. Gustav Dumann pose for a photo on stage after speaking at the Storytellers event, Mar. 15 at the Scott Event Center at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Storytellers in a less formal setting where speakers can tell their stories of perseverance and resiliency. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman Daniel Garcia)

Airmen share personal stories of resiliency

Published March 24, 2016
By 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Military members must be flexible and adaptable to successfully face the daily challenges and rigors of military life.

They also need to be spiritually, mentally, and physically fit as well. However, that is not always an easy thing to do.

The Scott NCO Council hosted a "Storytellers" event to provide and opportunity for Airmen to share their personal experiences and how resiliency helped them overcome difficult situations.

Presenters ranged from Airmen to company grade officers who told stories about how they overcame issues with drinking, medical situations, and being attacked on deployment.

For example, Master Sgt. Daniel Kriz, Air Mobility Command, spoke about his struggles with alcoholism and said he felt it was important to share his experiences in case it would help those listening seek any help they may need. He also said that talking about the struggles he went through helps him continue to be resilient.

"By talking about it, I don't keep it pent up inside, which is what I've always done throughout my life," Kriz said. "I can't explain why, but telling someone about it and knowing they can relate to it, it gives us all a sense of belonging; we are not alone in the struggle."

Tech. Sgt. Kiana Monroe, 635th Supply Chain Operations Wing, said she felt the event was inspiring.

"I hope it opened everyone's eyes to the internal struggle that our people are going through," she said. "We should make every effort to know our people, know when something's off, while also knowing yourself, and when we should seek help."

Staff Sgt. Maurice Monroe, 375th Force Support Squadron, came up with the idea to bring Storytellers to Scott after hearing about it from another base. He said he hoped that attendees would be inspired to talk to their Airmen about how to handle their own challenges.

"(Bad things) happen to all of us throughout our lives, but it's how we carry on through our attitudes that helps make the best of a bad situation," said Monroe.

He said he hopes to have another Storytellers between September and October and continue to have them twice a year.

"Hopefully we can have Army, Navy and Marines next time," said Monroe. "It would be great to see them. Because this is a joint base, you can get different stories from different branches. Everybody has a story; it's not just limited to the Air Force."