AIRMEN SUPPORT TEAMS

Introduction – About the Initiative– Q&A Sessions – Contact Us

Our motto is “Hic Manebimus Optime” (Here we will stay.)

The Airmen Support Team (AST) leverages existing efforts across the DoD to create the AST baseline program, flexible enough to serve the full range of missions and organizations in the Air Force. The AST is designed to provide peer-to-peer support and engage individuals with shared perspectives by fostering safe spaces for connection. Please view this video for a great overview of the program.

Airman Support Team Introduction

Airman Support Team Introduction

Airman Andrea Rozoto

Once you decided you would like to create an AST in your unit, the process is simple. The handbook is easy to follow and includes all the information you’ll need to get started. With a dedicated program team, the process should take no more than 8 weeks, but can be shorter or longer based on your unit’s needs, time constraints, etc.

Introduction – About the Initiative– Q&A Sessions – Contact Us

About The Initiative

The AST model connects best practices from across the Air Force. The intent of this program is not to replace the best practice efforts that are underway across the DoD. This program is meant to provide a common structure that will provide a tether for legislative action to grant similar limited confidentiality that is available to Victim Advocates for sexual assault. The legislation will protect existing and future initiatives that meet baseline program requirements.

Airman support teams are peer-to-peer volunteer programs with direct access to command teams, first sergeants, and formal base resources.

The goal is three fold: to combat stigma, decrease barriers, and get left of bang.

Combat Stigma: Break stigmas associated with diversity, inclusion and mental health by leveraging a team of trained squadron ambassadors with shared perspectives.

Decrease Barriers: AST Members are more accessible to Airmen of all ranks and help build proactive relationships based on trust and credibility.

Get Left of Bang: Encouraging dialogue, building coping skills, acknowledging resiliency issues, and building knowledge of formal resources before acute mental health symptoms develop.

This is done by cultivating trust, establishing credibility and providing tools to ensure ASTs are a bridge to formal resources that are available to support the member.

Trust: Volunteers are selected and vetted by the command team. Limited confidentiality will provide the level of trust needed to create safe spaces our Airmen need for traumas other than sexual assault.

Credibility: On boarded by groundbreaking curriculum and given extensive knowledge of and access to formal resources.

Tools: Armed with toolkits and conversation guides along with direct access to their First Sergeant and AST Program Manager.