Sept. 28, 2023 Department of the Air Force to Review Discharges of Veterans with Mental Health Conditions & Experiences of Sexual Trauma The DAF will also implement administrative reforms for individuals who apply to have their discharge statuses upgraded in the future.
Jan. 25, 2022 Invisible Wounds Initiative helps build a supportive culture for Airmen, Guardians, and families through focused leadership The Command Team Campaign is a communications effort to increase knowledge and enable command teams to build connectedness, trust, and openness to tough conversations about cognitive, emotional, or behavioral conditions associated with trauma or adverse life events.
Aug. 29, 2020 Intrepid Spirit Center opens at Eglin AFB Eglin Air Force Base’s Intrepid Spirit Center, the first on an Air Force base, is a treatment center dedicated to post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, associated pain conditions and psychological injuries in active-duty service members.
May 19, 2020 Military Caregiver Month: Hidden heroes The Caregiver Support and Family Program was founded in 2014 to improve caregiver resiliency by connecting them with other caregivers who can share experiences, provide guidance and ultimately build trust and long-lasting relationships.
Feb. 9, 2020 Rescue dogs help heal wounded warriors The Office of the Warrior Advocate is a first-of-its-kind organization that was founded by two wounded warriors that saw a need. It is in that same spirit of seeing needs and answering the call that service dogs are becoming part of Offutt’s landscape and cultural norms.
May 10, 2019 Around the Air Force: EOD Memorial Ceremony / Tyndall Industry Day / Groundbreaking On this look around the Air Force, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein speaks at the 50th EOD Memorial, Air Force officials discuss rebuilding Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, and Eglin AFB, Florida, starts construction on the Intrepid Spirit Center.
May 6, 2019 Intrepid Spirit Center moves forward The 96th Medical Group held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the construction of the Intrepid Spirit Center at Eglin Air Force Base, May 2.
July 4, 2018 Air Force Widow vows to bring awareness to invisible wounds Air Force veteran Stacey Pavenski, 46, of Palm Bay, Florida, has post traumatic stress disorder, but she didn’t get it from serving in combat. It came from her husband’s combat struggles that drove him to take his own life in their bedroom, Sept. 18, 2017, while she was in the kitchen. He was 45.
May 14, 2018 Check your ego at the door, be your own advocate Master Sgt. James Stalnaker always thought going to mental health was a deal breaker for your career; that mental issues make you a weaker person. It took encountering struggles of his own to change those views.
March 16, 2018 First-ever blood test for detecting brain injury cleared by FDA Brain injuries can happen from a fall, while in combat or during training exercises. Thanks in part to research funded by the Defense Department and the Army, Banyan Biomarkers has created the first-ever brain trauma blood test. On Feb. 14, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration cleared marketing of
March 14, 2018 Clinic answers call for invisible wound care In the midst of brain injury awareness month, construction of a facility to treat traumatic brain injury is well underway at the 96th Medical Group.
Jan. 8, 2018 EOD Airman receives Purple Heart More than 10 years after his injury, Tech. Sgt. Douglas Smits, 90th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal team leader, received a Purple Heart medal at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, Jan. 5, 2018.
Sept. 28, 2017 Competition fuels hearts, ignites relationship In 2015, when a Naperville, Illinois girl met a small-town boy from Eagle River, Alaska, neither knew immediately how their relationship would evolve beyond teammates; however, the now engaged pair of retired Air Force athletes would still say “teammates” will always be a word that first comes to
July 7, 2017 Adaptive sports shift outlook on life “I was sitting at home alone one night and had taken out my pistol; I remember how cool it felt in my hands and knowing I was moments away from taking my life. In that split second, my phone went off with a text from one of my Airmen who said he needed my help getting to work the next morning, and I
May 14, 2017 Don’t suffer alone – mental health disorders have effective treatments Mental health disorders are relatively common within civilian and military communities, but with early treatment, most mental health disorders can be effectively treated, and patients can return to mental wellness.
July 18, 2016 National Intrepid Center zeroes in on traumatic brain injury Defense Medical Surveillance System and Theater Medical Data figures show that more than 339,000 service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury since 2000. For service members on their roads to recovery, the National Intrepid Center of Excellence in Bethesda, Maryland, stands ready
March 22, 2016 Military brain injury expert: Everyone’s ability to recover is different Every brain is different. We know this because each person’s brain develops with a unique personality. But the brain as an organ even differs from person to person, and reacts uniquely to injury.
March 21, 2015 Coming to terms: Airman remains resilient through multiple TBIs For the tall, quiet Airman, speaking up about his injuries is difficult. His wounds aren't always visible, but they're very real.After two deployments and six bomb blasts, Tech. Sgt. Gabriel Wasnuk, who is assigned to the 775th Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Flight, is receiving a Purple Heart
Sept. 29, 2014 A love story: healing the wounded warrior He was a young Air Force officer healing from a recent trauma and she was a dedicated single mother of two. Whether it was friends or fate that first brought them together, neither would have suspected that their chance meeting in Florida would be the key to his recovery. Their introduction to each