The four pillars, a new total fitness concept

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joseph E. Bridge
  • 911th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AIR RESERVE STATION, Pa. --  Within a person's lifetime, there can be instances where negative circumstances seem to build and take things from bad to worse.  Circumstances, such as financial problems stemming from job loss, family problems resulting from divorce, multiple deployments in a short period of time, trying to pass a fitness test after having a failed one, can, if unexamined, give you a feeling of being out of control.

These are just of some of the problems that Airman can go through which may create stressors that lead to mental health issues.  The United States Air Force has developed updated training and a set of tools to help cope with many of these issues that may arise within an Airman's lifetime.

Here at the 911th Airlift Wing, nonessential operations were put on hold for Sunday of the February unit training assembly in order to provide a wingman down day. The wingman down day was established to make sure Airmen have the necessary tools to find help, as well as recognize signs when fellow wingman may be in trouble.

Previous training was revamped in favor of a more interactive experience.   This new training focused on ways of helping Airmen become more observant, with the mindset of "who knows you better than the people around you."

"Leadership at the top of the Air Force is now realizing that the wingman concept is our best weapon in regards to trying to prevent problems from ever getting as bad as someone wanting to take their own life," said Lt. Col. Kirk M. Lunnen, chief of the mental health flight within the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron.

The new set of training guidelines discuss the four pillars of total fitness, which encompass physical, social, mental, and spiritual health, while geared toward thought generation and group discussion.

"The training now is about Airmen helping Airmen and how to spot signs in your wingman to start the prevention process and has a greater seriousness toward the people and not just on training that is required," said Lt. Col.  Zenon A. Bochnak, 911th Airlift Wing chaplain.

Updated training in suicide prevention has been an ongoing process, and while Airmen around the 911th AW had mostly positive views of the new training, there were mixed reviews about the latest round.

"The training had a better aspect to it with the group discussions and gave it a more welcoming feel with the open forum process than it had in the past," said Tech. Sgt. Steven Collins, a knowledge operations management technician with the 911th Airlift Wing. "Some people have always had these qualities to help others around them, but this gave some people who don't new ways to deal with situations that they could be involved in."

While most felt the more interactive process was positive, some believed that there are pieces of the training that could still change in order to get people more willing to come forward if they need help.

Several Airmen said the training was better than before, but they might still face some barriers when talking to leadership, while a few others said the training could be more effective in peer-to-peer situations rather than any rank group discussions.

To better explain the wingman concept, representatives of the mental health flight see members in the clinic and visit squadrons on drill weekends. These visits allow staff to speak with people about any existing problems as well as meet with first sergeants and supervisors about any issues in the squadron.

According to Lunnen, having proactive members applying the concept of "wingmanship" has resulted in an average of one member out of every two months coming forward to discuss potential problems they may be having.
    
"Keeping in line with being a good wingman, the Air Force wants everybody to look out for each other while also making sure that your total self is in good shape, 'you can't be a good wingman if you're not in good shape yourself,'" said Bochnak explaining how he councils Airman.

"Finding meaning and purpose will give you happiness in life," said Bochnak. "It's like a GPS signal; if that point of direction starts to fade, you will get off course and lost in the journey of life."

"We want people to feel comfortable to come forward and deal with their problems and get them handled," said Major Frank A. Mercurio, executive officer at the 911th AW. "It all boils down to reaching out and knowing when you need to ask for help."

Are you or someone you know in need of help, visit www.militaryonesource.mil or call the Military Crisis Line at 1-800.273-8255.  To speak with the local base chaplain call 412-474-8204.