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Airmen helping Airmen: AFRC

  • Published
  • By By Airman 1st Class Whitney Laine
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Climbing the stairs feels like a challenge in itself. The snow crunches underfoot, adding to his anxiety of the decision to look for help. His shoulders grow heavy with the weight of unpaid bills, as self-loathing thoughts slip in and out of his mind. He pulls the door open to the Airman & Family Readiness Center and steps into the warm room. Searching for hope, this may be the place he would find it.
Unemployment, depression, financial hardship or deployment stressors are just a few examples of what AFRC counselors provide resources for.

“We are considered personal and work-life counselors,” said Christopher Marble, 92nd Force Support Squadron AFRC chief. “We offer multiple core programs. In recognition of military members having stressful and dangerous jobs, we are prepared with these different resources to offer support when Airmen and their families need it most.”
The AFRC has Air Force and Department of Defense requirements which include: employment, financial, separation, special needs, transitions to and from Fairchild, pre-deployment and post-deployment assistance.

“Our resources can be accessed through social media platforms including Facebook and our website,” said Marble. “Airmen and family members can walk in without a scheduled appointment; we are also involved in work centers. We’re not necessarily a brick and mortar facility; we are embedded in units throughout the base to be readily and easily accessible to Airmen.”

Air mobility operations depend on motivated, innovative and highly trained Airmen. The AFRC contributes to the success of the mobility mission by having readily available tools, educational opportunities, skills and support systems for Airmen and their families.

“The resources the AFRC offers act as ‘boots on the ground’ to support Airmen and their families physically, mentally, spiritually and socially,” said Marble.

The counselors at the AFRC have chosen to make a profession of helping Airmen maintain mission-ready requirements, not just because of the demand, but also because of their passion for Airmen and their families.

“I have always been patriotic,” said Steve McMullen, 92nd FSS AFRC school liaison officer. “I wasn’t able to join the military, but this position allows me to serve Airmen and their families and help them push the mission forward.”

It is vital for effective support to provide assistance in all facets of life to promote retention of Airmen and their families.

“We are here for mission success,” said McMullen. “By accomplishing our mission, Airmen are ready to take fuel to the fight. We are one team, we are Team Fairchild. The AFRC is just one of the many places across this base where people can seek help for anything. If someone doesn’t know where to turn, we will have an answer or direction to point them in.”

For more information, call the Airman & Family Readiness Center at 247-2246, or visit them on the web at www.fairchildfun.com/afrc.