Members from 23 WG take part in CAF day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kathleen D. Bryant
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (Feb. 27, 2015) --  The 23d Wing held a Comprehensive Airmen Fitness Day focusing on the mental fitness pillar here Feb. 20.

This CAF day started off with a 2.3-mile run, followed by suicide prevention training and safety briefings that included small group discussions on the mental fitness pillar to help build resiliency.

CAF provides an integrated framework that encompasses many cross-functions with education and training efforts, activities and programs that play a contributing role in sustaining a fit, resilient and ready force.

"That's what we are here at Moody," said Fred Barnes, 23d WG community support coordinator. "We have the most resilient Airmen I know within the Air Combat Command, but I'm going to stretch my neck out and say in the United States Air Force. These [Airmen] here work extremely hard. Their mission is like no other, yet they go through the ups and downs of everyday life and still manage to get the mission accomplished."

The Air Force defines resilience as the ability to withstand, recover and grow in the face of stressors and changing demands. In order to build that resiliency, CAF day occurs quarterly during duty hours.

"It's a day to step aside from our daily duties and think about how to take care of ourselves outside of our job," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Catherine Kallen, 23d WG judge advocate civil law chief.  "It's amazing that our employer makes us take these days to think about better ways to handle stress and think about preventing suicide."

Airmen handle many stress factors to include having positive work performance, facing potential deployments or moving to a new base, on top of daily life stressors such as relationships and finances.

"Being Airmen, you're always going through changes in this Air Force," said Barnes. "If you're not flexible, you can be left behind or come up with problems."

Members of the 23d WG had the opportunity to speak in small group discussions about these stress factors and what potentially can happen.

"There were a lot of personal stories about how people have gotten help for themselves or how they were able to help other people," said Kallen. "I think hearing from coworkers that they were brave enough to get help made people understand that other people have issues and it's ok to get help. You can help fellow Airmen very easily by being aware and noticing changes in them."

CAF has four pillars: mental, physical, social and spiritual, and each CAF day focuses on one of these pillars.

"This is not a standalone program," said Barnes. "CAF is a cultural shift in how we view and maintain fitness in a more comprehensive manner."

If you or someone you know needs to talk to someone, the resources provided may help.
· Military One Source: 800-342-9647
· The Airman and Family Readiness Center: 229-257-3333
· Mental Health: 229-257-3898