Master Resilience Course kicks off at FTAC Published Feb. 13, 2012 By Scott King 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- As part of an Air Mobility Command-wide initiative, Resilience Development Training was provided to students at the First Term Airman Center last week. Based on the University of Pennsylvania's Positive Psychology Resilience development model, and part of AMC's Comprehensive Airman Fitness, what started as a "pilot" program has evolved into an endeavor which hopes to pay big dividends for Airmen and their families. The intent of the training is to assist Airmen in situations that will test their "resiliency," as well as their ability to bounce back from life's challenges such as; work, deployments, family life and many other challenges affiliated with military life. "I personally believe this training is needed because it comes down to Airmen helping Airmen," said Master Sgt. Bell Sonyetta Charlton-Bell, Fairchild's only UPenn, certified Master Resiliency Trainer. "When Airmen find themselves in situations that may seem hopeless or are difficult to overcome, one of the first people they may reach out to are fellow Airmen. It's important that all Fairchild Airmen receive this training so they can attain the necessary tools, skills and mental ability to overcome life's setbacks." Charlton-Bell, the Airman & Family Readiness NCOIC attended a two-week Master Resilience Training Course in Philadelphia, Pa. in order for her to be certified to train Airmen at Fairchild. She is now looking to rapidly expand the program here through training assistants. Another valuable tool in this program is Resilience Training Assistants. They attend a three day course receiving training on 12 skills. Following that, they provide unit-level training and also assist Charlton-Bell in large training events. The RTAs are highly qualified and will be reasonably available to train their units when asked to do so. They will also be primary candidates to attend the UPenn Master Resilience Training. FTAC students who received the training found it to be interesting and important. "The training was incredibly valuable. I believe this training will help a lot of young Airmen to become aware of the need to be able to bounce back and be resilient when a problem arises rather than holding it all inside or dwelling on it and letting it fester inside them," said Airman 1st Class Rusty Gilfillan 92nd Maintenance Squadron, hydraulics system apprentice. "Thanks to this, I feel confident that I can rectify my issues and be there for my fellow Airmen when they need someone to turn to." "I thought that it was simply going to be a lecture on how to prevent suicide and I was pleasantly surprised when we barely touched on that subject but more on the subject of bouncing back from events that can lead to a person thinking suicide is the only option," said Airman 1st Class Mary Rice, 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, fuels apprentice. "I learned I need to take a step back from life for a moment and think things through before making the wrong decisions." Charlton-Bell hopes to have an immediate, long lasting impact on Fairchild Airmen. "I truly believe in this program. It is essential in order to maintain a balanced Air Force life," she said. "It's also knowing that even in my own little corner of the AF, I've been given the opportunity in my view, to play a important role in training our Airmen on the concepts of "Resilience," a step forward that has never been done before - that's priceless. I want this program to become a voice for our Airmen. Every time I teach this course I will think of those we lost to suicide - that's my motivation - to decrease the number of avoidable losses of our Airmen through techniques that promote 'Resiliency.'"