Know Your Airmen’s “Home Front” Wingmen

  • Published
  • By By Col Sharon Bannister
  • 436th Medical Group
Dover Air Force Base, Del. --  Almost 18 years ago today, I was standing with a small group of brand new medical officers at my first ever dining-in.
From across the room, I noticed a general looking my direction with a quizzical look on his face. Having worn a uniform for just over two weeks, and my mess dress only once, I self-consciously looked down to ensure my sole medal and Dental Corps badge were properly placed.
By the time I looked up, he was standing directly in front of me with the same look on his face. "Captain," he said, "what is your last name?" I quietly replied, "Rusch," wondering what I had possibly done to bring on the question. Before I had time to conjure up reasons, he responded, "Rusch, R-U-S-C-H, I flew with your Dad and I recognize you from pictures when you couldn't have been older than 6." Tears filled my eyes as I listened to this man tell story after story about my Dad and his fatal last flight to a group of wide-eyed young officers. In an instant, I felt part of the Air Force family.
I now want to ask the hard question...how many of you feel you could do the same if you ran into one of your Airman's family members 30 years from today? We just had an AMC stand down day where we discussed the roles and responsibilities of being a wingman. We talked about how to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the Air Force's most important commodity...it's people.
Yet I would argue that though Wingmen are important, the most important "Wingmen" are those who are with our Airmen after the duty day ends--their families. Do we as leaders, at all level, make sure we know our Airmen's "home front wingmen"? Do we give them the same tools and training we give our Air Force wingmen? Do the spouses, significant others, children, moms and dads know the signs to look for when our Airmen need help, or who to call if something doesn't seem quite right?
I look at the health of our force and know that we could strengthen our resiliency and retention if we concentrated on the expansion of our Air Force family. I remember being told at a leadership conference that it is the Airman that joins the Air Force but the family who decides whether or not to stay for a career. If we don't get to know the families, how can we do that?
I challenge leaders at all levels to find ways to bring families into our organizations. Expand Key Spouse programs to develop innovative ways to ensure the families at home feel part of the Air Force family at the work place. In the Medical Group, Kathie Cocklin, has developed a wonderful Facebook group site where all members of our organization, their families, and their friends can join in to see what we are doing. We include pictures from events, notices of upcoming gatherings, and opportunities to merely share thoughts. It allows participation even for those who may not feel comfortable, or have the time to join us in person.
For the AMC stand down, we chose to end the day of planned activities with a family friendly ice cream social in hopes that our Airmen would share the discussions of the day with those who are most important to them. Bottom line, we recognize the importance that our families and significant people in our Airmen's lives play in the health and well-being of our Air Force!
Most mornings when I drop my beautiful daughters off at the Youth Center, there is a certain little girl who runs up and gives me a hug. It makes me smile each and every time I see her. I never pass up an opportunity to tell her how special her Dad is to the Air Force and how important it is for her to take care of him for us. She always beams from ear to ear.
In a perfect world, I'd be given the opportunity to let each and every one of our Airmen's "home front wingmen" know how much they mean to their loved ones, me, and the Air Force. It is truly the love and support of our entire family, both on base and at home, that brings strength to our great Nation.