RTAs: Caring for their fellow Airman

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jannelle Dickey
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
Barksdale Air Force Base, La. --  Resilience is a term often used in the Air Force, but there are effective ways to apply it in everyday life.

Master Resilience Trainers and Resilience Training Assistants educate and reinforce resiliency skills, one part of Comprehensive Airmen Fitness, by teaching during forums including the First Term Airmen's Center, Airman Leadership School, NCO Professional Enhancement Seminar, wingman and safety days.

"The vital role we ask the MRTs and RTAs to do is share resilience stories and lessons learned helping to create a positive CAF culture," said Jeff Maiette, 2nd Bomb Wing community support coordinator. "Often just taking a few minutes to talk to a fellow Airman can help reinforce resilience."

Barksdale currently has 193 RTAs and 11 MRTs who help to raise awareness on a well-rounded system that assists to withstand, recover and grow when faced with stressors.

"We get those who are excited about teaching resilience," said Tech Sgt. Terrance Raybon, 2nd BW MRT. "You have to care about people you work with in order for the program to be effective."

MRTs are responsible for teaching the three-day training course that covers all eight hours of the resiliency course and certifies participants as RTAs.

"We teach all participants how each lesson is structured and the key points that need to be stressed," said Raybon. "They are assigned lessons on the first day and the third day is utilized for review. It gives them an opportunity to test drive a lesson while getting ideas from one another. "

The RTA position is strictly voluntary and courses are held every month.

"The course opened my eyes in different areas of my life and it has helped me not just as an instructor but as a person,"said Staff Sgt. Chrystina Clutter, 2nd BW RTA. "I am able to articulate my feelings better, especially with interpersonal relationships using 'I feel.' I saw the difference in conversations with my husband." 

Maiette says Airmen are doing things on a daily basis that are part of developing and growing resilience.

"How many things do you do that fall under one of the four domains of spiritual, physical, social or mental resilience?" he said. "If you really look at that question most would be surprised at their answer."

For more information on resilience or to volunteer to become an RTA, contact Jeff Maiette at 456-8006.