YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airmen from all areas of Yokota Air Base gathered at the Taiyo Community Center to hear resiliency-focused leaders and helping agencies talk about stresses within the military community and the importance of Comprehensive Airman Fitness (CAF) during a Wing stand-down event at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 23, 2023.
Col. Andrew Roddan, 374th Airlift Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Dunn, 374th AW command chief, began the event by being forward about challenges within the military community regarding resilience and how CAF, which aims to build and sustain a thriving and resilient Air Force community, can assist those in need. The CAF model includes mental, physical, social, and spiritual domains and provides a holistic view that enables the sustainment of a fit, resilient, and ready force.
“I want to talk about connected, resilient Airmen who know how to ask for help when they need it,” Roddan said. “It’s important to be open about what troubles us, to help get through tough times and not let the stresses in life become more than somebody can handle. We’re a team. We’re here for you. You are not alone.”
The all-call continued with presentations from supporting agencies such as first sergeants, chapel services, medical providers, and mental health, which locally represent the four pillars of CAF. Each pillar is described as:
- Mental domain is the ability to effectively cope with unique mental stressors and challenges needed to ensure mission readiness.
- Physical domain is the ability to adopt and sustain healthy behaviors needed to enhance health and wellness.
- Social domain is the ability to engage in healthy social networks that promote overall well-being and optimal performance.
- Spiritual domain is the ability to strengthen beliefs, principles, or values that sustain an individual’s sense of well-being and purpose.
A common cord throughout the briefs was how each of the domains is tied together, and the only way our Airmen can continue to be the best and most resilient force is if they talk about and take care of each pillar with equal importance.
“It’s a misconception that seeking mental health assistance is harmful to a military career,” said Capt. Monica Scott, 374th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron Mental Health Flight clinical psychiatrist. “The majority of people coming to us are trying to get through something going on in their lives and simply need help navigating it. Only patients that need intensive care or specialized needs that would keep them from completing the mission would have their military job affected, but only in the interests of helping them recover.”
The down-day continued with additional efforts to promote connectedness with the assembly breaking off into smaller Airman groups that participated in supportive resiliency activities, and group training sessions for frontline supervisors that offered supplementary tools for promoting resiliency and connectedness with their Airmen and work centers.
The Air Force is committed to supporting the people that help it succeed as the world’s greatest flying force by providing resources for physical fitness, mental health, relationship counseling, financial help, legal assistance, and childcare, to name a few.
Team Yokota members can find more information about resiliency resources here: Supporting Agencies (af.mil), or check out the Wing helping agency matrix here: 374 AW Helping Agency Matrix (af.mil).
Members can also reach the crisis line by dialing 988 or 1-800-273-8255 and selecting option 1 after connecting to reach a staffer. In addition, veterans, troops, or their family members can also text 838255 or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net for assistance.