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Shaw Airmen talk resiliency

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jensen Stidham
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Enlisted, officer and civilian Airmen gathered at the base theater for a Comprehensive Airman Fitness week here, Dec. 2-6.

The 4th quarter CAF week was an initiative to improve well-being, reduce self-defeating behaviors, and enhance work and life balance for Airmen and families.

"CAF week is for everyone," said Karan Godette, 20th Fighter Wing community support coordinator. "Resiliency is not just an Air Force thing, it's about life, and therefore it directly and indirectly impacts everyone. CAF week is important because it gives everyone the opportunity to take the time to reflect within and focus on themselves and what they can do to better based on the topics being discussed."

Each day Airmen came to the theater, watched videos and listened to fellow Airmen speak about resiliency.

"We had three of our amazingly courageous Airmen give testimonies on life experiences they had and how they were able to overcome them," said Godette. "All testimonies were very different and ranged on topics from loss of a family member due to drinking and driving, to child abuse, emotional, physical and sexual abuse, depression, and anxiety."

After listening to testimonies and watching videos, Airmen broke up into small groups at their individual designated unit areas to have specialized resilience training with trainers.

"The small group session was very informative," said Senior Airman Josiah McDonald, 20th Logistic Readiness Squadron personal property counselor. "It opened my eyes to see that other Airmen are dealing with similar issues."

Airmen taking time to reflect on their spiritual lives help maintain a strong Air Force.

"If we take the time to step away from everything," said Godette, "and truly see what we need to do to take care of ourselves on a holistic level - physically, socially, mentally, spiritually - we become so much healthier and that naturally flows into our personal relationships, professional relationships, work, etc. We then find healthier, more focused individuals, and in turn a stronger Air Force with the mission being completed more effectively."