Build resilience by improving physical, social, spiritual and mental fitness

  • Published
  • By Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr.
  • Commander, Air Force Reserve Command
Robins AFB, Ga. --  Within Air Force Reserve Command, we have a philosophy that the best way to
handle a crisis is to prevent it from ever happening in the first place.

That's why our outstanding maintenance specialists spend countless hours
ensuring our aircraft are always fit to fly. Our aircrews are trained to
handle all kinds of in-flight emergencies, but in our business, an ounce of
prevention is worth significantly more than a pound of cure.

This way of thinking applies to our people as well as our aircraft. Airmen and their
families face tremendous challenges, and we will always be there to offer
our care and support during difficult times. My focus is on making sure you
are as prepared, in advance, as you can possibly be to anticipate and cope
with any adversity or crisis that might come your way.

You heard about resilience at our recent Wingman Day events. To build on our Airmen's
ability to keep moving forward in their lives after experiencing significant
stress or a highly traumatic event, Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz
recently launched the Comprehensive Airman Fitness initiative.

The purpose of this initiative is to enhance and sustain a culture of resilience by
fostering mental, physical, social and spiritual health. In this issue of
Citizen Airman, we take a look at each of these four aspects of
comprehensive fitness, and command experts offer some practical advice for
improving your mental, physical, social and spiritual well-being.


This commentary was published in CITIZEN AIRMAN Magazine, August 2011
edition. Read the article in its entirety at
http://www.citamn.afrc.af.mil/features/story.asp?id=123265565