Moody hosts first-ever Airman resiliency training

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Frances Locquiao
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Moody recently held the first-ever, official training program designed to increase resilience and enhance performance in Airmen, family members and civilians.

The Airman Resiliency Program, which was established by Gen. William Fraser, Air Combat Command commander, was hosted by Moody's 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing.

"Since many of our personnel deploy outside-the-wire, the 93rd AGOW was given the first opportunity to provide the training for our NCOs and test the program," said Lt. Col. Gregory Laffitte, 93rd AGOW. "We were looking for feedback from the participants such as what they really liked about the training and how they would change it.

"The first priority is to provide the training to individuals who will deploy," he said. "However, the training will eventually be institutionalized throughout the Air Force."

Curriculum for the training included problem solving techniques, character building exercises and strengthening communication skills.

It is a dynamic and interactive environment with large and small group training, said Col. Michael Dwyer, Airman Resiliency Program director. It is a proactive program meant to help our Airmen, families and civilians recover and grow following an adverse or tramautic event.

More than 35 students from the 93rd AGOW and 23rd Security Forces Squadron attended the training.

"This is an awesome program because it can help us in a thousand ways," said Staff Sgt. Christopher Banks, 820th Combat Operations Squadron combat technologies NCO. "We were given the tools not only to use in the military but at home as well."

Since it was the first time the training was made available to Airmen, Command Chief Master Sgt. Martin Klukas, ACC command chief, visited Moody to see how the first-ever training event went.

"The program allows for both personal and professional growth," said the command chief. "We all have different approaches to handling our lives so the program helps Airmen get familiarized with the tools we need to use in order to deal with life. This will make us better, faster and stronger."

The program will continue to make improvements based on participant feedback.

"Our vision is to equip all Airmen with the tools and skills to help them become more resilient and have a positive outlook in all the things they do," said Colonel Laffitte.

The program is evidenced-based training developed by Dr. Martin Seligman, world-renowned psychologist, and Dr. Karen Rievich, author, both from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Penn.