Recharge for Resiliency

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jonathan McCallum
  • 919th Special Operations Wing

The 919th Special Operations Wing supports Citizen Air Commandos and their families through multiple programs to improve the standard quality of life.  Recharge for Resiliency (R4R) is the culmination of four resiliency programs across the Air Force, and Air Force Reserve. It provides multiple resources fostering unit cohesion, culture, and community to Airmen and their families.

Alexandra Crozier, director of services for the 919th Special Operations Force Support Squadron, leads the program at Duke Field.   

“We have the Deployed Affected Program which people can use upon receiving orders, up to a year after deployments, and their families can use while they're gone,” said Crozier. “We also have the Single Airmen Program Initiative where unmarried airmen and a guest, or child dependent, can attend offered events.”

The additional programs making up the R4R are the RecOn and Unite initiatives. RecOn is designed to address the challenges faced by deploying Airmen by providing high adrenaline supervised Outdoor Recreation programs. Unite is focused on “Revitalizing Squadrons” by providing unit commanders the best position to execute resources that benefit Airmen under their authority. This initiative provides commanders with special funding to initiate programs that help their squadron.

“Throughout the year we offer things like fishing charters, skydiving, and horseback riding,” said Crozier. “You name it and we probably offer it. This month we have free offers at the Blackwater Golf Club driving range in Crestview, a free event at Grizzly Axes Rage Room in Pensacola."

The R4R team looks for and schedules events in the local area for Air Commandos and families. The team relies on community relationships with business and venues to provide events throughout the year. These events give Airmen and families opportunities for building social connections and participating in activities they may not otherwise do. It also focuses on the importance of providing the necessary building blocks for readiness, resiliency and retention by supporting the five pillars of the human domain: physical, psychological, spiritual, social and family, and cognitive.

“People need people, the R4R and Unite funds help squadrons with the social pillar, and we get to connect away from the work environment,” said Chief Master Sgt. Vickie Speece, 919th SOFSS senior enlisted leader. “It’s these programs that allow us to relieve tension and have fun. Not with just our co-workers but our families too.”

The R4R program and others focus on the resiliency of our airmen and continue to support the SOF truth principle that “humans are more important than hardware.”

Airmen can stay connected for information on events at the Duke Field Services Facebook page.