Airmen helping Airmen

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. Greg Biscone
  • 509th Bomb Wing commander
As Air Force Airmen, a critically important task we have each day is to find a way to help ourselves and other Airmen solve problems to get the job done.

Where do you start? Start with helping yourself by taking care of your personal life and your family.

Don't feel like you're alone, though; we have a large organization standing by to help you through tough times.

There isn't a person on this base that can't use a little help now and then -- financial, medical, emotional ... you name it.

If you're lucky, you know someone with the skill and time to give you a hand. Luck's not good enough and certainly something I don't count on.

Taking care of Airmen is so important and so basic to building a strong force that large numbers of those who work at Whiteman come to work each day with the sole purpose of working with you to get you past personal challenges or making your quality of life better.

OK, so you've heard it all before but you have no idea where to go for an assist. Let me offer three places to start.

First, try a first sergeant. There's a Senior NCO in, or attached to, every unit who can hook you up with the person on base with the skill and resources to help you overcome those things that trouble you or your family.

If you don't know, first sergeants have a diamond on their sleeve in the middle of their stripes. A diamond's absolutely appropriatebecause they're worth more than gold in their ability to help solve personal problems.

We also have an airman and family readiness center on the base that's committed to helping.

Jack Bryant and his staff can take care of families or single Airmen. This is a group of caring pros who have a way of resolving both simple and serious personal problems.

Another important group of counselors with resources all their own are our chaplains.

Whether you use them for spiritual advice or just a friendly ear, they're availableto listen and help ... and can keep your conversations confidential.

Many more people and agencies work together as part of the installation's Wellness Team.

Directed by Chief Orcutt and me, and Jeannine Johnson of the Medical Operations Squadron lead this team to ensure we meet the needs of the community.

You're invited to come to the community activities center on 10 a.m. Nov.14 and meet with the team, especially if you have an issue that effects the base.

Don't wait until any scheduled meeting, though.

If you have a problem that you'd like a little caring, professional advice to help you resolve it quickly and your friends or supervisor aren't sure how to help, try one of the groups above.

Your Air Force wants and needs you to be strong and focused ... so do I.

Give an Airman the chance to give you an assist!