Air Force Reserve graphic by MSgt. Timm Huffman.
The Air Force Reserve is discouraging leaders from letting Reserve airmen’s attendance at their organizations’ Resilience Tactical Pause days become an obstacle to ensuring they feel supported.
In a Sept. 3 notice to airmen, Col. Amy Boehle, commander of the Reserve’s Headquarters Individual Reservist Readiness and Integration Organization, recommended that supervisors whose Reservists can’t make it to their organizations’ suicide stand-down days pick up the phone and have candid conversations with them about how connected they feel, resilience, how they can get help if they need it, and why they personally matter to the team.
Boehle also reiterated the organization’s willingness to help Reserve airmen track down support resources.
"We can help locate religious support teams, mental health professionals, community support coordinators, violence prevention integrators, sexual assault response coordinators, volunteer victim advocates, military and family life counselors, family advocacy program personnel, community cohesion coordinators, physical health professionals, master resilience trainers and legal assistance attorneys,” she wrote.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth Wright announced the service-wide tactical pause on Aug. 1.
The Veterans Crisis Hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for veterans, service members, and their family members and friends who need help. Call 800-273-8255 and press 1, text 838255, or visit www.veteranscrisisline.net.