JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- The moment I was offered a position with the Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2) Program as the Outreach and Ambassador Program Manager, I couldn’t have thought of a better role that fits my “why” for serving Warriors. Prior to my employment with AFW2, I served in the Air Force on active duty as the senior enlisted member for 59 Medical Wing’s Airman Medical Transition Unit (AMTU) at Lackland Air Force Base. During my time at the AMTU, one of the most common issues I noticed among the 60+ Warrior case load we served was the lack of support many of these Airmen received from their home units. Regardless of the type of wounds, illnesses, or injuries each possessed, many had the common struggle of coming to terms with their new normal. When they needed their leaders as part of their support system most, there was a gap in the concept of simply being there for their Airmen and families.
Having a platform through the AFW2 Outreach program allows our team, made up of Jonathan Fernandez, David Wootten and myself, to have a voice to educate Air Force personnel on how vital their support really is during an Airmen’s recovery. Through working with our Warriors, we hear many stories where Air Force leaders have gotten it right as well as stories of where Airmen have simply been let down. Whichever way a Warrior’s experience goes, both stories are equally important and deserve to be shared across the Air Force.
AFW2 has developed an Outreach Program to serve as a marketing tool to arm and equip Air Force personnel by educating Airmen on the resources needed to help themselves, and their fellow Airmen and Caregivers, be successful as they adjust to their new "normal." Leaders at all levels are vital to the success of their Airmen’s health, morale and welfare. If Airmen know they are supported by their leaders and have the resources they need to succeed, trust is enhanced as well as their overall well-being. Wounded, ill and injured Airmen deserve the support of their leaders and we owe it to them to get it right.
The program has found that one of the best ways to keep these conversations going is by providing a message of resiliency, recovery and resurgence from our trained Ambassadors through their personal testimonies. By sharing their stories, AFW2 Ambassadors bring more of a reality to resiliency and enhance the overall AFW2 Program awareness through their experiences, which has a tremendous impact on our Air Force culture. We help shape the stories of our Ambassadors through workshops where each participant receives personalized guidance and feedback to create multiple messages and calls to action to empower his/her audience with confidence. Trained Ambassadors take their role very seriously and value their platform and ability to be part of the much needed change. Most importantly, Ambassadors are walking away with a new sense of purpose by using their voice which enhances their overall healing and well-being.
It may be an uphill battle, but our Outreach program teamed up with trained Ambassadors is a formula for success to truly make a difference on our Air Force Culture and together we are making it happen, one Outreach event at a time!