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USSOCOM senior enlisted adviser speaks to Air Commandos, families

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Sarah Martinez
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
The United States Special Operations Command's Senior Enlisted Adviser spoke to Air Commandos, family members and civilians about Preservation of Force and Families during a visit to Hurlburt Field, June 4 - 7.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Chris Faris discussed the importance of leadership taking care of the servicemembers and their families through more resiliency programs, resources and counseling.

"After a 10-year war, now is the time to stop and reflect, look at lessons we can learn, change the things we are doing wrong and implement better practices to have a more healthy force in the future," said Faris. "This is not lip service."

Faris and his wife Lisa took turns telling their story of the hardship back-to-back deployments can place on a family. Faris told his version from the military member perspective, while Lisa shared a spouse's view of the times they struggled through.

"The briefing was very enlightening and relatable," said one servicemember in attendance. "I learned that there are always messages being sent to the military member from the family. We just have to learn to be receptive to them so we can take action before it's too late."

No new programs have been established yet, but USSOCOM leadership still wants military members and their families to seek help from the services that are already up and running. The Chaplain, mental health clinic and Airman & Family Readiness Center are just a few resources available at Hurlburt Field to help a recently deployed Airman or their spouse.

"Don't wait on each other to get help," said Lisa Faris. "Sometimes you and your spouse will be at different places in your life, you can lead by example to make things better in your house."

The Farises said they're traveling to different installations throughout USSOCOM to help military members and families realize leadership cares about their well-being and understands that deployments of any length can be rough on any relationship.

At the Naval Special Warfare Command the couple said they came across one of the best practices they've seen during their travels. Families OverComing Under Stress or FOCUS, is a program that provides resiliency training to military children and families.

The key point Chris and Lisa Faris said they wanted to make to Hurlburt Field is that the force and families are not alone and there are many households dealing with the same issues and problems. They want a struggling Airman or depressed spouse to know they can, and should, seek help before things may become overwhelming.

"All special operations command leaders are very serious about Preservation of the Force and Families being a key component to our readiness and our success," Chris Faris said. "We have got to do more to provide what the force needs."

For more information on the services provided at Hurlburt Field, visit www.hurlburt.af.mil, www.myhurlburt.com or www.afsoc.af.mil/preservationoftheforcefamilies/index.asp. For information about the FOCUS program visit www.focusproject.org. In addition, Hurlburt members can visit USSOCOM Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pages/USSOCOM-Care-Coalition/263764274552?ref=ts.