JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – The 343rd Training Squadron, which is home to Security Forces technical training, hosted Operation Recharge for their Airmen on Nov. 18, here.
Also known as a resiliency and wellness event, this is the squadron’s second event which was held in conjunction with their Thanksgiving luncheon.
“My favorite part of these types of events is the gathering of my squadron for something other than work – to see the smiles, hear the laughter and to watch the team bond,” said Lt. Col. Brian Mack, 343rd TRS Commander.
Mack explained the importance of wellness days in the workforce. He believes it helps with easing accumulated stress and improving one’s mood and productivity. “I believe it’s important to allow my folks the opportunity to just recharge their mental and physical state of being,” he added.
The squadron has an embedded mental health provider who is also a licensed clinical social worker, Charlene White, who coordinates these types of events for the squadron.
White coordinated massages for the personnel with professional massage therapists, as well as mindfulness activities. The first event was held on Sept. 1 which also had massages and mindfulness activities like reflexology. They plan to host a wellness event once per quarter.
“Research suggests that self-care reduces stress and increases happiness,” White said. “It is important to educate and introduce our Airmen to simple 10 to 15 minute activities they can do on their own to eliminate or reduce stress. I view events such as Operation Recharge as the gateway to help-seeking behavior.”
White is part of True North, which in the 37th Training Wing, is part of the Human Performance Directorate. The HP mission is to optimize Airmen performance, increase resilience of the force and their families, and decrease negative and violent outcomes.
True North holds various unit events, such as the quarterly All-Spouse Meet-Up Event and monthly Lunch-n-Learns. The team helps facilitate easier access to care, such as medical, mental health, and embedded unit counseling.
For more information, contact Steffanie Sargeant, True North lead clinical social worker for the 37th TRW, at steffanie.sargeant.1@us.af.mil or 210-671-1906.