There’s no issue your AF family can’t help solve

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Michael Zirkle
  • 90th Missile Wing command chief
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  This is the Year of the Air Force Family. In conjunction with this program, F.E. Warren has initiated Warren Operation Resiliency. This campaign is about ensuring our Airmen have the tools to confront personal and professional issues, are resilient enough to overcome them, bounce back and continue to perform the mission.

Last week the Mighty Ninety lost an Airman to an apparent suicide. We'll never truly know why he took his life, but we do know there isn't a problem out there confronting our Airmen that we can't fix. Let me say that again, there isn't an issue confronting our Airmen that we, as an Air Force Family, can't help resolve. Whether they're financial, emotional, legal, or any other issues, there are avenues to help fix the problem. As Airmen, supervisors, NCOs, officers and commanders, we have the tools to get a distressed individual back on track and back to work. As individuals, all we have to do is ask for help.

For our younger Airmen, it took a lot to get where you are. You had to get up the nerve to go see that recruiter and sign the paperwork to join the greatest Air Force in the world. You made it through basic military training, to include the BEAST and technical training. Then you get here and start work in a new environment, live in a new dorm room and try adjusting to the local culture and weather. There are a lot of stressors placed on our young Airmen. But do you know what? We've all been there.

We've all gone through the adjustment of being the newbie and dealing with the jeep jokes. It takes strong personal fortitude to look new and uncomfortable situations in the eye and adjust. All it takes is interaction with your new surroundings and asking for help when the stressors seem to get too big to confront alone. Sometimes help is just getting a wingman and heading to the fitness center or a movie; sometimes it's just finding someone to talk to.

In the past, I've heard people say things like man up or suck it up. I think a better way to say this is, "You signed up to do this mission and live the Air Force lifestyle. Now it's time to fulfill that commitment and get on with life."

The Air Force has a lot of programs to ensure we are mentally, emotionally, socially and physically satisfied. There are outdoor recreation programs that devote a lot of time and effort to ensuring our Airmen get out and relax during their off-duty time. There are a number of sports programs for Airmen to participate in. There are hundreds of educational opportunities and chapel events to get involved with to satisfy our mental and spiritual needs. There are social clubs and groups we can join such as the Top 3 and the Rising 6; but all of these are personal choices and take individual action to get involved.

Next week we will hold the first of several commanders' calls in conjunction with the WOR program. The first will be held by the wing colonels. These are intended to get not only the wing commander's message, but the group commanders' message out to the masses whom they normally don't address. The commander's calls are also a time for Airmen to interact with each other and to see how other groups on the base take care of business. I challenge you to get out of your comfort zone and ask questions about why things work the way they do in the other colonel's groups. You may not like the answer you hear, but you will hear the honest truth, straight from the colonel's mouth.

In closing, it's a great time to be a part of the 90th Missile Wing. Get out and enjoy what the base and city of Cheyenne have to offer, but remember the mission always comes first and here at the Mighty Ninety, and we remain mission ready at all the times.

Stay focused, and stay safe.