NAVAL AIR STATION FORT WORTH JOINT RESERVE BASE, Texas -- Nine Reserve Citizen Airmen at the 301st Fighter Wing at Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base recently graduated from a Resiliency Training Assistant (RTA) course.
The training is part of a strengths-based approach spearheaded by the Air Force to engage Airmen on suicide prevention.
“This class teaches resiliency skills, which help when adversity comes around," said Mary Arnold, 301st Fighter Wing director of psychological health. “One of the skills, A-B-C, helps a person understand how their thoughts affect their behaviors, which also helps make that connection between what they're thinking and what they're doing."
In the course, students learn 12 resiliency tactics in four days. Some of these tactics include capitalizing on strengths, interpersonal problem solving, good listening, and active- constructive responding.
Tech. Sgt. Kirk Clarke, a 301st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief who became an RTA after completing this course, shares a few things he learned from his training experience.
“I have to establish realistic long and short-term goals with an action plan, engage in self-care and nurture myself, and develop a diverse set of problem solving skills.”
Airmen also learned how to sense trouble spots in a person’s behavioral pattern that could cause stress and ultimately lead to suicide. These spots may include financial problems, legal issues and loss of a relationship.
“Airmen of the 301st should know that the RTA is an integral part of protecting the force and off-setting risk factors that increase our exposure to mental and physiological distress,” Clarke said.
The wing currently has 22 active RTAs, with a goal of adding at least 10 more, so that each squadron has a minimum of two, according to Arnold.
“You can’t put words on what it feels like to know you’re making a difference in somebody’s life,” she said. “That’s why I do what I do, because I want to help people.”
Resiliency training for the 301 FW takes place twice a year. To sign up for the next class, contact Arnold at DSN 739-3287.