HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Air Force Special Operations Command Integrated Resilience Optimization Network (IRON) team recently hosted a Virtual Resiliency Summit September 28, 2021.
The summit was held as a platform to address a range of emotions relating to personal and unfolding current world events.
“Even as we continue to strive and support our most valuable resource – our Airmen – many across our formation continue to feel stress, uncertainty, anxiety, disconnectedness, financial insecurity, and even a sense of hopelessness,” said CMSgt. Cory Olson, command chief of AFSOC.
“This summit provided the social connectedness and engagement which is critical in the fight to preserve everybody’s comprehensive mental, emotional well-being,” added Mr. Toby Boyce, Director of AFSOC’s Integrated Resilience Optimization Network.
Topics and discussions during the event ranged from Resiliency, Mental Health Stigmas and Moral Injury to Connectedness and Inclusion.
“Finding healthy ways to increase our resilience and cope with stress during this time will help us to remain strong as a force,” said Olson. “Our Violence Prevention Program, led by Mr. Toby Boyce, is a great resource in assisting the command in facing these challenges.”
The summit featured Ms. Kristen Christy, a world-renowned Resilience expert and the 2019 Top Woman Military Influencer Award winner, and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Swanson, a “Fight for Each Other Suicide Prevention Program Advisor, along with 13 other presenters.
“We don’t always know what our wingmen are battling or waging against in their life,” said Christy. “You all are Quiet Professionals, not Silent Professionals, and we must come alongside one another and have some empathy because we don’t know what each of us is up against on these emotional battlefields.”
If you are interested in learning more, please contact Mr. Toby Boyce, email: toby.boyce.1@us.af.mil, who can provide access to all presentations and answer any questions.