News>CMSAF highlights Airman resiliency during hearing
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The senior enlisted leaders from the Air Force, Marines, Navy and Army testify before the House Subcommittee for Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies March 30, 2011, in Washington. From left are Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlton Kent, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West and Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)
The senior enlisted leaders from the Air Force, Marines, Navy and Army testify before the House Subcommittee for Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies March 30, 2011, in Washington. In the foreground from the right are Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlton Kent, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West, and Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler. The committee focused on quality-of-life issues for enlisted members serving in the military. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy testifies before the House Subcommittee for Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies in Washington, D.C., March 30, 2011. The committee focused on quality-of-life issues for enlisted members serving in the military. Roy shared the witness stand with his counterparts from the Marines, Navy and Army, who are Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlton Kent, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West, and Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)
by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Rojek
Defense Media Activity-Anacostia
4/1/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Air Force's top enlisted Airman testified before the House Subcommittee for Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies here March 30, about quality of life in the military.
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy, alongside his sister-service counterparts, spoke about the importance building resiliency among Airmen and their families.
According to Roy, Airmen have been in Iraq and Afghanistan for nearly 10 years and in Southwest Asia for more than 20 years. This high operations tempo requires service members to constantly leave family and friends behind.
"There are certain challenges that both Airmen and their families face each and every day," he said. "I think it's something that we as the United States Air Force have taken very seriously over the last couple of years.
"Many of our programs are designed to continue to build resilient Airmen and families," he added.
This focus becomes important as new challenges are presented, Roy said. From the sky above Libya in Operation Odyssey Dawn to the shores of Japan for the humanitarian mission of Operation Tomodachi, U.S. Airmen are continuously on the front lines.
Highlighting these versatile warriors, Roy was joined by Tech. Sgt. Frank Reilly, a former tactical air control party Airman and pararescueman. Reilly, who had deployed to combat locations several times in support of operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom, was injured during combat training in preparation for deployment. He is now a special operations recruiting liaison and is set to participate in this year's Warrior Games.
"Resilient Airmen are better equipped to withstand, recover and/or grow in the face of stressors and changing demands, and continuously get the job done," Roy said.
