U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION JOINT RESERVE BASE FORT WORTH, Texas -- Reserve Citizen Airmen traditionally face the synonymous stressors of balancing home life and civilian careers with maintaining readiness in their military service. 2020, however, has multiplied many of these stressors and Airmen need to know they’re not alone.
Since 2016, 301st Fighter Wing Director of Psychological Health Mary Arnold has been helping Airmen and their families process these stressors. Whether it’s passing out candy as she visits Airmen or coordinating opportunities to empower wing members, she has one goal in mind.
“I help solve problems, help people with support who may be stressed out, or maybe having some issues.” Arnold said. “I help resolve those issues if I can, and get them connected to other resources if I can't.”
Her office has helped people facing a wide range of stressors related to finances, relationships, work, parenting, school, military, and more. She helps them navigate and try to find the root of the issue. This year Arnold, along with 301 FW Violence Prevention Integrator Jimm Harper, spearheaded a new initiative called the Traumatic Stress Response Team (TSRT), which stemmed from the aftermath of a suicide response within the wing in September of 2019.
“In the past, we were able to meet needs but we felt we could do more,” said Arnold. “That is what this team is, to get us prepared so we can go out, respond and support the unit and the Airmen as incidents occur… which can be anything from the death of an Airman to a natural disaster.”
The TSRT, which was created to help the wing become more ready and proficient in taking care of Airmen, is comprised of the DPH, the violence prevention integrator, the sexual assault response coordinator, the equal opportunity office, the religious support team, mortuary affairs, the command post and wing leadership.
“The most important thing the wing gets from this team is [shared] communication as early as possible after the incident,” Arnold said. “We can all get on the same page and work as one team rather than working as ten different agencies. [Cooperation] can help us respond much more effectively, efficiently and better for the Airmen.”
The 301 FW mission is to train and deploy combat-ready Airmen. The TSRT’s mission supports wing efforts to keep resilient Airmen ready to accomplish that mission.
“[We] take care of the people and the people take care of the mission,” Arnold said. “The services provided are available to everybody - family members and military members regardless of status. It doesn't cost anything to come talk to me.”
If you or someone you know needs to talk to someone about life stresses, please reach out to your local helping agencies or resources like www.militaryonesource.mil or www.wingmantoolkit.org or reach Ms. Arnold on her duty phone at 682-888-6340.