Training the trainer brings new resiliency skills to Peterson

Published June 11, 2013
By Michael Golembesky
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Resiliency is the power or ability to return to the original form, position after being bent, compressed or stretched. Professional and mental resilience is the focus of the 21st Space Wing's two new Master Resiliency Trainers, who will be responsible for graduating unit level trainers to teach skills to strengthen all Team Pete members.

The Air Force's Comprehensive Airman Fitness program, or CAF, consists of four pillars used to succeed and prosper. Mental, physical, social and spiritual strengths are the basic bedrock upon which our Airmen build their lives and careers.

Resiliency training is the newest addition to the CAF program aimed at teaching our Airmen the skills to withstand, recover and grow in the face of stressors and changing demands. These skills build and sustain a thriving and resilient Air Force Community.

"The training is unique because it teaches Airmen skills to find the positive in every situation, instead of always focusing on the negative," said Beverly Price, 21st SW community support coordinator.

Although this new training requirement is not fully implemented Air Force wide, the 21st SW is well ahead of the curve with the graduations of Tech. Sgt. Americo Galdeano, 721st Mission Support Group, and Tech. Sgt. Casandra Nevins, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron, from the two-week master resilience trainer course hosted at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.

The two day Resilience Training Assistant course is offered once a quarter with limited space to maintain the effectiveness of the material taught. In addition to the unit level training opportunities like Wingman Day and Commander's Call, the RTAs can also assist with training at the First Term Airman Center here at Peterson.

"Even though the RTAs cannot instruct the classes at FTAC, they can help out in the classroom. This is great because it helps to lessen the workload on our FTAC instructors and provides them with continuous opportunities to refresh their skills and training," said Price.

"Our RTA students go back to their units with the skills, materials and techniques to educate fellow Airmen on becoming more resilient in everything they do and all aspects of their lives," said Nevins.

"The best way to teach these skills is for the RTAs to have the ability to relate the training in a personal way through their own experiences and life lessons, this is how I did it and here was the outcome," added Nevins when talking about how the new graduates relate the material to everyday life for Peterson's service members, civilians, spouses and their families.

The skills Airmen learn during this resilience training can be used throughout their military careers.

Professional Development offers monthly seminars such as Study Skills, Counseling & Mentoring, Leadership, Silver Bullets, Debt Free Workshop, Fearless & Persuasive Public Speaking - all of which are open to enlisted, Company Grade Officers and civilians. Professional development also offers seminars targeting specific groups.

For more information about Professional Development and the RTA course here at Peterson call 556-9226 or visit online at http://www.21fss.com/about/professional-development/.

resiliency training