Chapel offers opportunities, friendship for single Airmen Published Sept. 23, 2010 By Alessandra N. Hurley 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Airmen from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. gather every week as part of the Flying Solo program offered by the chapel to discuss single life and the importance of spiritual growth to become stronger Airmen. Leading the group discussions is Doyle Spader, who has been working with military chaplains for approximately 30 years. "The primary focus of Flying solo is to help single Airmen grow spiritually," said Mr. Spader. "It's called the 'Flying Solo Action Group' because we stress not only growth in spiritual knowledge, but also the application of that knowledge, before others, through our actions." Flying Solo offers new Airmen an opportunity to become better Airmen by learning to put service before self and to connect with other Airmen. It also provides various volunteering opportunities to connect with the community, Mr. Spader said. "We hope, in the future, to give by serving those who have needs," Mr. Spader said. "In the past we have worked to help families by repairing homes, hauling wood and purchasing electrical heaters to provide warmth to families in the cold, collecting food and clothes for distribution and helping with their needs in transportation." Senior Airman David Carter, 28th Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment mechanic and Senior Airman Christopher Randall, Air Force Financial Service Center relocations technician, have both attended the chapel's program and say it's also a good way for single Airmen to connect and make friends. "When I first arrived at Ellsworth as a single Airman living in the dorms, I didn't have too many friends," Airman Carter said. "Flying Solo helps Airmen who may be away from home for the first time meet new people and find a sense of family in a comfortable environment." Airman Randall said the meetings helped him adjust to a new base in a variety of ways. "I'm from Texas, and I understood being here in South Dakota was going to be a big change for me - from the weather to the type of people I would meet," Airman Randall said. "Not only did Flying Solo help me make new and awesome friends, these meetings have helped me be more mature, make better decisions and decide how I should pursue my options in the Air Force. Attending the Flying Solo meetings motivates me to get out and make the world better... the discussions and friendship I've experienced even helped me to be more faithful, loving, kind and caring toward others." Some of the topics of conversation held at the meetings include DUIs and suicides. "People tend to slip and do bad things," Airman Randall said. "The main topics discussed at some of the first meetings were Airmen's issue with DUIs and other destructive behaviors. Suicide seemed to be a big thing, too. I wanted to help solve the problem and at the meetings, we discuss the importance of friendship and service to others as a means of eliminating these issues." Flying Solo and similar programs like it benefit Airmen -- not only by affording them opportunities to grow as leaders through service to others and to make lifelong friends -- but also by helping them to feel better about themselves, and (as a result), be better Airmen, Mr. Spader said. "We have learned that we are the happiest when we are giving to others rather than being recipients," Mr. Spader said. "Any time we can focus on others rather than ourselves we gain a greater sense of well-being. My hope for chapel programs like Flying Solo is to help young Airmen get adjusted and be well-rounded." If you are a single or incoming Airman, check with your Chaplain's office to see what programs might exist in your area.