Committed to caring in CAF: Become involved in your community

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES

07.18.2011

Story by Master Sgt. Scott Sturkol                                                                                                     

Air Mobility Command

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- In Air Mobility Command's Comprehensive Airman Fitness culture, the importance for each airman to be a part of the community around them is reflected in the airmen being more resilient.

"We must encourage and develop strong, connected Air Force communities, and we must 'dare to care,'" said Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., AMC commander, in a May 2011 leadership perspective. "I would offer that Comprehensive Airman Fitness is just that simple. It's about reaching out to deliver a helping hand."

Community and the CAF culture

Air Mobility Command's CAF culture is built on four pillars of fitness -- social, physical, mental and spiritual. Community involvement in that culture falls under the social fitness pillar.

According to a CAF talking paper from Headquarters AMC, the social pillar involves "developing and maintaining trusted, valued friendships that are personally fulfilling and foster good communication, including exchange of ideas, views and experiences."

The talking paper also shows that "community" is in the basis of the CAF culture vision. "Our vision is a community of balanced, healthy, self-confident Airmen and families whose resilience and total fitness enables them to thrive in an era of high operations tempo and persistent conflict," the CAF vision statement shows.

Getting involved

At the Military One Source Web site, www.militaryonesource.com, an article addressing ways for people to "get involved" in their community states that a good approach to this "is to look at your personal interests" and to "be around people."

Following are some of the suggestions the article offered for people to get involved.

-- Take a class. "Check out the course offerings at your local community college, night school, or community-based center."

-- Pursue a new interest. "If you're not sure what your interests are, notice the themes of the books you read or what movies you enjoy. What newspaper stories capture your attention? These themes may direct you to a new hobby."

-- Turn solitary activities into group activities. "For example, if you enjoy reading, join a book club."

-- Become a member of the local chapter of your college or university's alumni association. "It's a great way to reconnect with old friends and meet new people."

-- Try a discussion group. "Look for groups that fit or pique your interests. They might range from special interests like film criticism to personal and spiritual growth."

-- Rekindle your interest in music. "Take out that sax or violin you once played and jam with others. Or join a choral group."

-- Join a social networking Web site. "Online networking sites allow you to connect with people with similar interests."

Volunteering 'helps build a community'
Volunteering is also part of the military culture and community in general as each service has been built on the basis of an "all volunteer force" since the 1970s. According to the Military One Source article, in addition to meeting people, volunteering is a chance to put skills learned in the military to further use.

"Members of the armed forces have skills that are often in great demand in the service sector," the article states. "You may think that your combat-related skills have no place in a non-profit organization, but you'll be surprised by the value of your knowledge of technology, your leadership skills, your experience with teamwork, and your ability to plan and carry out complex tasks."

Volunteering also provides the opportunity to set a good example for others, the article states. "Service members are looked to as role models for good citizenship, and volunteering is an excellent way to uphold the military commitment to service."

But most of all, the article highlights how volunteering "helps build a community."

"Volunteering in the military or civilian community is a good way to make connections that can give you a sense of belonging, especially if you are far away from your home of record," the article states. "You don't have to change the world to experience the satisfaction of giving. Even small gifts of time or simple acts of compassion are rewarded by the pleasure that comes from helping others. And volunteering can be a lot of fun as well."

Resilient communities build resilient airmen

In February 2011, Chief Master Sgt. James A. Roy spoke at the Air Force Association's Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition in Orlando, Fla., about resiliency. During his speech, which was covered in an Air Force News story by Master Sgt. Amaani Lyle of Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs, he said resiliency and community go together.

"Overall, our airmen and families are very resilient," Roy said in the Air Force News report. "We have to set that tone of resiliency culture within our units, within our communities."

In the CAF culture, a resilient community means a more resilient airman.

"Sense of connectedness and supportive relationships at home, in the workplace, and in the community enable military members to minimize downtime and to focus on their Air Force mission," the CAF talking paper states. "Sense of connectedness and associated healthy relationships also increase personal resilience."

(Master Sgt. Amaani Lyle, Air Force Public Affairs, contributed to this report.)

• Date Taken: 07.18.2011
• Date Posted: 07.18.2011 14:52
• Story ID: 73914
• Location: SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, ILLINOIS, US