The last 2 days, I got to experience some incredible signs of strength. Took place on Nellis Air Force Base, the nation’s largest base w over 11,000. But, the strength was not what you’d expect- they were not physical. Instead- they were help-seeking moves that I’m so humbled to have witnessed.
In the 2 days we presented, we spent Wednesday w the “First Sergeants” -who work w the Airmen they’re assigned to. They’re essentially supportive leadership guides, each to a group of Airmen underneath them.
The base dedicated 3 full sessions -Culture Change, Vulnerability Workshop, & Establishing Common Language, to this day. If we have First Sergeants working w Airmen -we need to change the culture -make it less binary & more inclusive abt challenges we ALL face. We need to learn to be open w each other abt those challenges. We then need to have common language to open up those convos, do check-ins in a non diagnostic way, & welcome folks to open up when ready. That Nellis & the USO “got it” & dedicated the time to it, is awesome.
Day 2 we opened things up to the rest of the base -other Airmen, fam & friends, even other bases. We made 3 of the opening Culture sessions available (2 hrs each) to accommodate everyone’s schedule. 6hrs of presenting is not easy – after the 3 sessions the day before & the work in Chicago before that at schools & colleges, but when it comes to the men & women who protect us, it was an honor.
Day 1, each session, First Sergeants came up after to ask questions & discuss the challenges they personally are/had been facing.
But on day 2, a man – looked like in his 60s, hardened dude, was in the front row. Typical gesture, before we started, I asked “How are you?” He gestured: so/so w his hand. I approached him, tears in his eyes, he said: “Man, my friend here’s on the base, heard of this, brought me here. I’ve had to do ECT too. Nothing’s working. I need this session to help me.”
I saw in his eyes, what fear was in mine for 2.5 yrs. Loss of hope. That this man left after the session w a hug, & new knowledge & tools to try, a promise he’d call me to help him more…he showed me what strength is.