911th stands up first health and wellness center in AFRC

  • Published
  • By Col. Anne Manly
  • 911th ASTS Commander
PITTSBURGH AIR RESERVE STATION, Pa. --  Anyone who has set foot on an active duty base has been to or heard of a Health and Wellness Center. Traditionally they are part of the fitness center where trained staffs are available to assist Airman with health and wellness related issues.
Reservists have enjoyed access to a HAWC on co-located installations. Now you can visit the HAWC at the 911th Airlift Wing which is the first of its kind on a stand alone reserve base.
The HAWC concept was piloted with members of the Aeromedical Staging Squadron and met with overwhelming success. The staff of the HAWC consists of a personal trainer and diet technician who were trained at the Cooper Institute in Dallas, Texas.
The initial focus of the HAWC will be to help those who were rated as poor or marginal performers on their annual fit-to-fight assessment. Visits will be tailored to meet the needs of each member and may include development of an exercise plan along with nutritional counseling.
As part of the program those who take advantage of the new service will receive an SF 600 for their member's medical record for continuity of care. A copy of SF 600 will be also be given to the individual's unit fitness monitor to ensure compliance with AFI 10-248, which mandates a specific timeline for training members with poor and marginal fitness scores.
Helping Reservists get back on track by dedicating personnel and resources to improve their wellbeing is taken seriously and nonparticipation by a member who has been assigned required training and testing is subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Once the majority of the poor and marginal performers have had an opportunity to access the HAWC, the program will then be expanded to provide fitness counseling to all interested members. The ASTS's intent is to train more staff in the near future to support the HAWC.
The 911th AW is fortunate to have these talented resources and training opportunities available. Appointments will be available on Saturday of the UTA for individual and small group sessions. Contact your UFM to schedule an appointment.