ICHIGAYA, Japan –
Resiliency can be defined as the ability to withstand, adapt or recover from
life's adversities. U.S. Airmen around the world are being taught skills and
techniques to help them deal with the stress of military life, while maintaining
mission readiness as part of Comprehensive Airmen Fitness.
At Yokota Air
Base, Japan, the resiliency program is going a little further. To further the
relationship between the USAF and the Japan Self-Defense Forces, Master Sgt.
Jonas McVey, 374th Airlift Wing master resiliency trainer, and Micaela
Alexander, community support coordinator, were invited to the JSDF headquarters
in Ichigaya alongside members of Yokota's senior leadership to share these
skills with JSDF leadership.
"This course is about giving our troops the
tools that they need," McVey said. "The more tools you have the more flexible
you are when adversity comes."
During the three-hour briefing, Warrant
Officers from JSDF were shown how to better communicate with their subordinates,
coworkers, friends and family using good listening and interpersonal problem
solving techniques. The first technique focuses on active listening through
responsiveness and body language, while the second is a five-step process to
resolve conflict.
"We may not always be able to come up with a solution
immediately, but if I treat you with respect, we'll be able to talk about the
problem again," McVey said. "It doesn't always mean that I get what I want, but
it will be a conversation, not an argument."
After demonstrating the
techniques' effectiveness, U.S. Forces, Japan and 5th AF Command Chief Master
Sgt. James Laurent and 374th Airlift Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. Paul Elliott
shared their perspective on the resiliency program and the importance in taking
care of their Airmen.
"The most important thing that a leader can do is
to get to know their Airmen," Laurent said. "If you don't know what is normal
for your Airmen, how will you know when something is abnormal?"