Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE — Maintaining mission readiness and resiliency can take a toll on both Airmen and their families, but two base organizations are here to help.
The Chaplain and the Airman & Family Readiness Center provide services to help Airmen and families regardless of life or relationship issues.
“Basically, any aspect of life, any major life change that you would have, there’s something at the A&FRC for you,” said Stephanie Reyes, Chief of the A&FRC. “Our programs include the Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Wounded Warrior, Casualty and Survivor Benefits, Exceptional Family Member-Family Support, Financial Readiness, Personal & Work Life Education, Personal & Family Readiness, Relocation Assistance, School Liaison Office, Spouse Employment, Transition Assistance and Volunteer Resource.”
By providing a full calendar of events every month, Reyes reaches out to as many people on Barksdale as possible.
“By taking advantage of these classes means an individual wants to make sure they are growing as far as your personal life is concerned.” Reyes said. “The education programs at the A&FRC provide Airmen and their families support and services that contribute to mission readiness, resiliency, adaptation to military life, and well-being of the Air Force community.”
The A&FRC provides workshops such as “Discussing Differences and Making Decisions,” “Talking Money with My Honey” and “The Five Love Languages” to help Airmen and families be mission ready.
“All of these workshops are to enhance relationships between couples and families,” said Charlotte Hikes, A&FRC community readiness specialist. “Most couples who attend our relationship workshops are looking for ways to maintain their healthy relationship.”
2nd Bomb Wing servicemen and women who have been married three years or less, returning from a deployment of six months or more and if they attend certain workshops with their spouse may be eligible for a day off.
Qualifying workshops are: “You’re Deploying… What?,” “Talking Money with My Honey,” “Five Love Languages,” “Healthy Relationships,” and “Discussing Differences & Making Decisions.”
The Chaplain’s offerings complement those of the A&FRC.
“Our goal is to help Airmen and their families to build resiliency,” said 2nd Bomb Wing Chaplain, Robert O’Dell Jr. “We’ve also partnered with mental health and the A&FRC for the “Five Love Languages” to help develop teachers and instruction,” O’Dell said.
In addition to helping the A&FRC provide helpful programs for Airmen and their families, the Chaplain also provides an avenue of confidentiality for Airmen.
“When any individual talks to us, they can be assured that that information is 100 percent maintained in confidence unless they release us from that confidence,” said O’Dell.
With the services provided by Chaplain Corps and programs provided by the A&FRC, Airmen and families who struggle with life’s big challenges have a light at the end of the tunnel. But even if Airmen aren’t struggling in their daily life, there’s always something available to help Airmen be at their best.
