We're all in this together Published Aug. 23, 2013 By James Branch 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Everyone needs help from time to time. The Wingman concept is a culture of Airmen taking care of Airmen each and every day, on and off duty. The Air Force Community Action Information Board directed all units to conduct a Wingman Day on Aug. 4 to take a pause from day-to-day mission duties and focus on unit wellness and getting to know fellow Airmen a little better. Facilitated by Lt. Col. George Pelech, 94th Airlift Wing chief of safety, the first session kicked off with a video from Lt. Gen. James Jackson, chief of Air Force Reserve, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., and commander, Air Force Reserve Command, and remarks from Col. Tim Tarchick, 94th AW commander. "Being a Citizen Airman is challenging because we have to balance military, family and civilian jobs," said Tarchick. "A good wingman is a good mentor. We can all learn from one another." The Air Force has identified four areas, or "pillars" of comprehensive fitness that illustrate how people can maintain a healthy balance in their lives and a sense of belonging. Those areas are mental, physical, social, and spiritual pillars. "How an individual thinks, feels, gets along with others, deals with stress, and acts in general is reflected how well they maintain a balance among these four pillars," said Pelech. "In other words the four pillars of comprehensive fitness are the areas of a person's life which capture the total of how they experience and relate to others and themselves." Pelech took a closer look at each of the four pillars and offered information to participants to build resilience as they strive for comprehensive wellness in their lives. "The mental pillar is about having good coping skills, liking yourself and finding personal satisfaction," he said. "It's about approaching life's challenges in a positive, optimistic way. An off-balance of that mental pillar can result in a person struggling to maintain good mental wellness." The second area, the physical pillar, describes the level of physical ability to do whatever a person set's their mind to. Good balanced nutrition and healthy body weight are just part of it. "Achieving physical wellness means more than just passing your fitness assessment," Pelech added. "It involves setting realistic fitness goals by establishing a daily routine, leading a healthy lifestyle, through exercise, rest and nutrition." Third, the social pillar involves the ability to build healthy, trusting, nurturing and supportive relationships. "Individuals have varying needs for social connectedness; everyone is not the same," said Pelech. "We must all respect people's needs for privacy but also realize when a person has become socially isolated." The last area discussed was the spiritual pillar, often enhanced through religion or transcendence. "Spiritual wellness is remaining connected to the beliefs, principles and values that spiritually nourish us, and sustain a sense of wellbeing and purpose, sometimes a purpose greater than ourselves," said Pelech. After discussing the four pillars, participants were separated into smaller groups for individual discussions. Various questions were posed to the groups, including, "If you did not need the money, what would you do for work?" "I would provide counseling free of charge to troubled adults and youth, said Chaplain (Maj.) Jamie Danford of the 94th AW Chaplain Office. "I would provide free services in behavioral science to those in need of it," said Staff Sgt. Jessica Coleman of the 94th AW Equal Opportunity Office. Pelech closed the discussion with a scenario involving three wooden sticks, simulating three Airmen. "If an Airman is fragile, or one or more of those pillars are off balance, it's only a matter a time before the Airman breaks," said Pelech as his broke one of the sticks in half. "If the Airman is too stiff or rigid, as this second stick is, they won't bend. Life's challenges require us to sometimes be flexible." While lightly bending the third stick, and tying a string a both ends simulating a bow, Pelech made his final demonstration. "If an Airman is flexible, as this third stick, I can use them as a weapon, or a crutch, he said. "In closing, mentorship is about taking the time to connect with another person by asking questions and listening attentively, sharing information, acting as a role model, and demonstrating a positive attitude. As a mentor, you're developing trusted relationships. In truth, you can be a mentor to anyone." Below are resources to help you become an effective Wingman: www.WingmanToolkit.org www.facebook.com/AFRCWingmantoolkit www.militaryonesource.com www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov
