Building a resilient Team Sheppard

  • Published
  • By Kimberly Parker
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Twenty Airmen both military and civilian volunteers were the first group to participate in Comprehensive Airman Fitness (CAF) training to become their unit's go-to person for resources and advice when it comes to resiliency.

CAF is an Air Force-wide initiative which aims to help Airmen, Air Force civilians and family members become more resilient and better-equipped to deal with the rigors of military life.

"The training includes a toolbox of ten modules that quantify life skills on what makes a successful person successful," said Master Sgt. John Van Pelt, 366th Training Squadron First Sergeant and Master Resiliency Trainer.

The training takes skills and breaks them down with the hopes of developing a standardized skill set that will provide continuity for Airmen across the Air Force.

Van Pelt says that one of the skills taught is "ABC". It starts with defining an activating event, something that happens to you that cause you to believe and behave a certain way which produces a set of consequences.

To "ABC" an event is to take a step back and study your reactions to everyday stressors that come your way.

"It's a form of checks and balances," Van Pelt said. "If you can find a way to stay positive, you can control your behavior and a more favorable consequence or outcome."

There are currently two master resiliency trainers, Van Pelt and Maj. Valerie Castle from the 82nd Medical Group, and there are plans to add two more this year.

The goal of the trainers is two-fold. They will work to train a resilience training assistant in each squadron whose job will be to help mentor Airmen, as well as help commanders facilitate unit-wide resiliency-related training.

The trainers will also take on additional requests and can tailor the training to fit the unit's specific needs.

With the Community Action Board and the Integrated Delivery System working together and applying the concepts of the CAF initiative, base programs should better meet the needs of Airmen and their families.

"If we can shape and support programs around the concept of CAF, we can deliver the tools Team Sheppard needs to be resilient," said Kristen Gibson, Sheppard's Community Support Coordinator.

The Community Support Coordinator is a new position created by the Air Force and aims to help Airmen and their families withstand challenges and stressors.

"My mission is to develop a program that all members of Team Sheppard can use to withstand, recover and grow in the face of increased stress and change," Gibson said.

For more information on attending CAF training contact Kirsten Gibson at 940-676-5413.

For information on the current programs offered look for the helping hands link or the events calendar link on the Sheppard homepage.