Resiliency programs help with challenges of military life

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brigitte N. Brantley-Sisk
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Being able to adapt to the ever-changing nature of the military lifestyle is essential for both Airmen and their spouses. Resiliency can help manage these stressful situations more easily.
The Airman and Family Readiness Center and Family Advocacy clinic at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., help promote resiliency within each couple's relationship.

"Resiliency is the ability to withstand, recover and grow in the face of stressors and changing demands," said Sharon Thompson, A&FRC chief. "While working with family programs over the past 20 years, I've had the opportunity to watch the development and refinement of programs designed to address the unique challenges of the military lifestyle."

Now, those challenges are being addressed through programs geared toward helping Airmen and their spouses. Airmen attending the Michael Maltz First-Term Airman Center will have a full-day of resiliency training beginning mid-March and the A&FRC hosts resiliency training quarterly for spouses.

"Simply put, being in the military can be a challenging lifestyle for anyone involved," said Lawanna Barron, Family Advocacy outreach manager. "For being such a small base, the people at Moody make such a big contribution. They deploy often, so we like to try and focus on the couples while they're here. Being able to communicate effectively is an important step of resiliency for couples; you have to find exciting ways to keep the communication strong when you're apart from each other."

Family Advocacy also offers a similar program for single people and provides anger management for those who may need it. Overall, resiliency training has six core competencies: self-awareness, self-regulation, optimism, mental agility, strength of character and knowing how to make connections.

"Strengthening these six things makes us stronger, more confident and able to cope with the demands of daily life, our relationships with those we love and the military lifestyle," Ms. Thompson said. "We're here for military spouses wanting a portable career, couples with financial trouble, Airmen about to separate and those dealing with a special-needs child.

"Family programs will continue to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of the Airmen and their families that volunteer to serve," she added. "We design them to provide whatever information or skills Airmen and their families need to be successful."

For more information on programs or useful resources check with your local A&FRC center and the Family Advocacy clinic.