Page 3 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, March 18, 2022

2 March 18, 2022 Commentary Desert lightning news s. nevaDa Desert lightning news s. nevaDa news March 18, 2022 3
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Check in before they check out Smokescreens, sandbags, frozen creeks and empty mags

by Eric M. White temperatures they’d ever experienced. unit members to YARS for approximately space for workshops and operation
Garfield Training Center, Ohio But that didn’t stop the members of the two weeks as either IDLC students or planning.
The installation’s 910th Security Forces
926th Security Forces Squadron, based at opposing force members under the ex-
By Chaplain (Capt.) Levi Welton utes later, they were walking home together, where ern University, talks about how even “micro” connec- When the crew door of a C-5 Galaxy Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. They came to perienced leadership of cadre members Squadron recently cut the ribbon on
Dover AFB, Del. they would laugh, play games, become friends, and tions, like face-to face small talk at the gym or with opened on the ramp at Youngstown Air YARS for the Integrated Defense Leader- from multiple units. Students are taken a state-of-the-art training facility that
years later their story would be published by John other casual acquaintances, are a strong component Reserve Station, Ohio, Feb. 6, 2022, it ship Course, an innovative approach to through an intense, hands-on training includes an indoor combatives room.
He had cleaned out his locker so he could go home W. Schlatter in the 1993 “Chicken Soup for the in bolstering mental health resilience and helping us,
and kill himself. Soul” book as the moment when a simple gesture “recognize that we’re connected to a bigger picture, was the first time some of the 40 De- training Reserve Defenders which just experience targeting training deficits and Cadre members lead IDLC students
fenders debarking the aircraft had ever entered its first full year of operations.
He squeezed out the front door of his junior high saved a life. a larger group, a sense of community.” enhancing real-world combat capabilities. through building entry procedures,
school carrying a pile of books, two sweaters, a base- What I love about this story is that it flies in the We don’t need to be rich, famous, good looking, seen snow. The forecast for the next two IDLC kicked off in 2021. Air Force Their time is split between YARS and room-clearing drills using modular walls
weeks called for some of the coldest Reserve Security Forces squadrons send Camp James A. Garfield Joint Military and close-quarters combat drills, taking
ball bat, a glove and a small tape recorder (remember face of so-called conventional wisdom. So often, so- or super powerful to live a life of greatness. With
those things?). ciety seems to peddle the notion that one must wear all the pandemic, geopolitical and personal dramas Training Center, Ohio. advantage of the padded floors and walls.
Of course, it was too much and he tripped, objects a red cape, have statues erected in our honor, or hang in our lives, sometimes all we need is to reach out The facility offerings and proximity These drills require students to remain
scattering and clattering everywhere. For a moment, medals on our wall to be considered an agent of great and check in with our people, with each other. That of YARS and CJAG make it the ideal calm, determining and executing the best
he just lay on the floor as the crowd walked all around change. But a so-called simple life can be resplendent could take the form of texting our coworkers, call- home for IDLC. The former offers well- course of action in unique scenarios and
him, avoiding and ignoring him. Hot tears sprang with gestures of greatness. As the Chassidic master, ing an estranged loved one, or simply picking up the equipped lodging, food service and high-stress environments.
to his eyes and he gritted his teeth. He just had to the Baal Shem Tov, once said, “For 70 or 80 years a proverbial fallen books of our neighbor. In this we transportation capabilities, simplifying YARS also has ample outdoor space for
withstand the shame one more time before he could soul wears and tears just to do a favor for another.” can save lives and, as the American hero Brig. Gen. the logistics of housing Defenders from students to run battle drills and practice
make it home, take his mother’s sleeping pills, and Especially now, as we shelter behind the walls of Charles McGee of the Tuskegee Airmen was wont to across Air Force Reserve Command for lead tactical squad movements.
escape the world which had rejected him. online interactivity, these touchpoints of human say, “Rise above adversity.” two-week stints seven or eight times a ______
“Hey, you ok?” connection are all the more important. If you feel that life is not worth living, please call year. YARS also has ample classroom See mAgS, on Page 6 & 7
The boy looked up, swallowing his tears quickly. As leadership guru Simon Senik wrote, “Trust isn’t the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-
A classmate he had never spoken to before was formed in meeting rooms or in conference calls; it’s 273-TALK (8255). The call is free and confidential,
kneeling down next to him and had already begun built when we’re able to connect on a personal level and crisis workers are there 24/7 to assist you. To
to gather his fallen objects. “Let’s do this together,” outside our normal work obligations.” learn more about the Lifeline, visit www.suicidepre-
the classmate flashed a friendly smile. A few min- Dr. David Dozois, a psychology professor at West- ventionlifeline.org, where you can live chat as well.

how to refocus during turbulent times

Air Force photograph by Eric M. White
By Heath McNaughton cerns and controls. Simply put, what am ask my 11-year-old. It’s also far easier to things that came to mind in the circle Senior Airman Ricardo Burgos, 926th Security Forces Squadron Defender and Integrated
Defense Leadership Course student, advances while firing blank rounds at opposing
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio I currently worrying about and what can react to a situation than figure out how (your thoughts).
I do about it? to prevent it. • Draw a second circle and begin force members during an exercise assault on their position at Camp James A. Garfield
There is no disputing we have been Our concerns are the wide range of Being positive and staying in your reading each of your thoughts in the first Joint Military Training Center, Ohio, Feb. 18, 2022. IDLC is an intense, two-week, hands-on
navigating turbulent times for what worries that randomly pop up when lane is hard work and takes discipline. circle. If you can honestly answer “I can learning experience designed to help Reserve Defenders achieve and maintain combat
seems like an eternity. “Fear not, this we’re in the middle of conversations, Who has time for that? do something about that,” jot it down in readiness. It is based at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio. The 926th SFS is based at
too shall pass.” the doubts that keep us up at night, and I’m hoping we all do and we can shift the second circle. Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
I’m sure many of you have heard that all the “should’ve, could’ve, would’ve” our focus to things actually within our • After you’ve transcribed your action-
last quote a time or two, and it may that strips us of celebrating our own Circle of Control. able thoughts into the second circle, write
seem unlikely at times. Trust me, I get successes. They are the guilts, fears and Control is being able to directly do “I’m concerned about” above the first and Air Force photograph by Tech Sgt. Jeffrey Grossi
it. However, I’d like to offer some advice resentments that wreak havoc on our something about a situation. Focus- “I can control” above the second. Staff Sgt. Annallisse Jaramillo, an Integrated Defense
on how one can pilot through storms internal fortitude. ing on what is in our Circle of Control • Next, grab a pair of scissors and Leadership Course cadre team member, observes as Staff
such as these to find inner peace and All of this worry takes a heavy toll reduces wasteful time ruminating on cut the paper in half to separate the two Sgt. Madison Bedor, an IDLC student, scans the horizon
take purposeful action. on our brainpower, affects our overall things you can do absolutely nothing circles. with her scope from a dug-in position during a static
Many years back, Stephen Covey outlook and adds distress to our lives. about. Switching your mindset from re- • Lastly, take the first circle (“I’m defense exercise at Camp James A. Garfield Joint Military
published the concept of three spheres: So why do we continue to dwell on the active worry to proactive action permits concerned about”) and run it through Training Center, Ohio, Feb. 15, 2022. IDLC is an intense,
the Circle of Concern, Circle of Influ- past or fear for the future? Because it’s us to connect to progress, achievement a crosscut shredder, never to be heard two-week, hands-on learning experience designed to
ence and Circle of Control. I’d like to much easier to be negative or reactive, and a resilient lifestyle. from again! help Reserve Defenders achieve and maintain combat
focus on the former and latter, concern and we strive to be relatable. Here are some great tips to follow: When you find yourself, a friend or readiness. It is based at Youngstown Air Reserve Station,
vs. control. What I mean by that is it’s easy and • When you find yourself drifting into colleague getting stuck in some “stinkin’ Ohio. Bedor is a Defender with 926th Security Forces
Imagine two circles containing all relatable to find a conversation to jump negative thoughts, pause, take a deep thinkin’,” remember these tips to refocus Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., while Jaramillo is a
the thoughts and ideas that run through into and start bashing a celebrity, world breath (or two) and bring your mind your mindset and/or guide others out of Defender with the 349th Security Forces Squadron, Travis
your mind on a daily basis. Now, let’s leader or peer. It’s easy and relatable to back to the present. concerns to what is within the sphere of AFB, Calif.
separate those into two categories: con- be negative, cynical and sarcastic — just • Draw a circle and write down all the control.

Master Sgt. Adela Nedzweckas and Master Sgt. Kevin Ray,
both Defenders assigned to the 926th Security Forces
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