Fort Leonard Wood on-post family housing resident, Isabel Lopez, raises her hand to ask Col. Anthony Pollio, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leonard Wood commander, a question during a quarterly housing town hall Tuesday at Stonegate Community Center.
(Photo Credit: Photo by Melissa Buckley, Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office)

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FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — Fort Leonard Wood on-post family housing residents got the chance to learn about preventative maintenance specific to Missouri’s winter weather and got answers to help them avoid misinformation during Tuesday’s quarterly housing town hall at Stonegate Community Center.

Isabel Lopez has been a Fort Leonard Wood resident for about three months. She said she was apprehensive about coming to the town hall because she wasn’t sure how approachable the leadership here would be.

“Once we came in, and we were welcomed so warmly, I felt like everything was okay,” Lopez said. “I guess I was worried about asking a question or saying something they don’t like, but I didn’t feel that way at all. It is good to know there are friendly faces here that want to help.”

Lopez said the main reason she wanted to be there was because she was having a hard time getting straight answers to her questions.

“I see a lot of conflicting information on the various social media pages, so I wanted to come to the meeting to be able to get the correct answers,” Lopez said. “It is like one neighbor told me this, and a different neighbor told me that, and social media says something different — it is overwhelming.”

Col. Anthony Pollio, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leonard Wood commander, opened the town hall by inviting residents in attendance to ask questions if they needed clarification on any of the topics being covered in the presentation.

“This is a wonderful resource,” Lopez said. “I raised my hand and the garrison commander personally answered my questions. He invited the subject matter experts to weigh in and make sure I understood all the avenues available to me when I have a problem or concern.”

Lopez said the main thing she wanted clarification on was bulk trash pick up.

Ron Hestness, Fort Leonard Wood Homes facility manager, told Lopez bulk trash is on the same schedule as regular trash and these include items, like dressers and mattresses. He added items, like water-soaked mattress, will not be able to be picked up, and asked residents to be mindful of weather conditions before setting items on the curb.

Hestness said for questions or concerns, the best reference is the Fort Leonard Wood Homes resident portal app or online.

Pollio addressed the issue of residents putting trash and bulk items in the recycling bins.

“People are putting trash in their recycling bins, so we had to go to picking up recycling every other week. Some folks had concerns that wasn’t enough, so we placed a recycling bin in the South Leiber Heights area,” Pollio said. “We had to put regular dumpsters out there for trash, because people keep putting trash in the recycling bin. If this continues to be a problem, we will have to stop putting a recycling bin out there. They have to pay a fee every time the recycling is contaminated. We are going to give it one more chance. Trash needs to go in to trash dumpsters and recycling items in recycling. We are trying to make it work, but we need everybody’s cooperation to do it the right way.”

Another topic covered was preventative maintenance for winter weather. The fact that pipes can freeze and burst in Missouri was surprising to Lopez.

“I am from out west, where it is warm. I thought maybe it was just something that happened in the movies,” she chuckled. “That was good information for us.”

Other winter care tips included cleaning windowsills to prevent mold, dusting heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and changing the filter routinely, disconnecting garden hoses from outdoor spigots and setting thermostats to auto, not on.

With the holidays ahead, Jason Williams, the Fort Leonard Wood Homes community manager, said families planning to leave for the holidays need to notify the main office. In the Fort Leonard Wood Homes resident portal, under community guidelines, it states residents planning on leaving a home vacant for more than three days need to notify the community management office.

Another thing Lopez said she was surprised to learn about were the self-help items available at the maintenance office, located on Turner Street next to the Leiber Heights pool.

Hestness said they have outdoor items, like topsoil, mulch, grass seed and hay or straw, and indoor items, like air filters, specialty light bulbs and touch-up paint.

Hestness also said in mid-October the mowing contractors will scale back their weekly mowing schedule to every other week.

When Mike Estright, Directorate of Public Works Housing Division chief, addressed the group, he said the mayor program will be accepting nominations for all six communities from Jan. 5 to Feb. 1 and results will be counted and sent to the garrison commander on Feb. 20. The newly elected mayors are scheduled to be sworn in during the March housing town hall.

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Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Garrison Commander, Col. Marc Austin addresses on-post housing residents during the Sept. 20 housing town hall at Ralphie’s Theater on Fort Stewart. The Housing Town Halls are hosted once per quarter and serve as a touchpoint between Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Garrison leadership, the Directorate of Public Works Housing Division, on-post housing partner Balfour Beatty Communities, and on-post housing residents.
(Photo Credit: Molly Cooke)

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Trash cans and raccoons. Those were just two of the topics discussed during Fort Stewart’s Sept. 20 housing town hall meeting.

The housing town halls are offered once a quarter on both Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield and serve as a touchpoint between Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Garrison leadership, the Directorate of Public Works Housing Division, on-post housing partner Balfour Beatty Communities, and on-post housing residents. Normally hosted within one of Balfour Beatty’s Family Homes facilities, this quarter’s town hall found neutral ground within Fort Stewart’s Ralphie’s Movie Theatre.

The events serve as a platform for residents to discuss their concerns so leadership can gain perspective on what is needed to maintain a high quality of life in all on-post residential communities.

“Your concerns aren’t something that just sit on a desk,” said Col. Marc Austin, Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield garrison commander. “They are something we actively work each week not just on our level but on an (U.S. Army) Installation Management Command level. Our teams here on Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield are constantly evolving. The housing teams represented here tonight have fresh faces who are ready to be part of the solution.”

Over 20 residents participated in the town hall, an almost 75% increase from previous housing town hall events. In addition to voicing concerns, residents also received information regarding the latest housing updates and initiatives and a briefing that covered several upcoming events around the installation.

“These quarterly town halls are crucial to the success of our housing partners and to our garrison team,” said Jenn Hudson, Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Army Housing Office director. “We look forward to hosting future town halls using this same format in an effort to establish a neutral zone for our residents to comfortably voice their concerns.”

Adding to the event, Balfour Beatty’s self-help division was also on hand to offer free air filters to residents in need of replacements. The Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Fire Prevention Program was also in attendance to promote their upcoming Fire Prevention Week activities.

Fort Stewart Fire Prevention Services Fire Inspector Travon Sanders shares information about upcoming Fire Prevention Week events with on-post housing residents following a quarterly housing town hall meeting, Sept. 20 at Ralphie’s Theater on Fort Stewart.
(Photo Credit: Molly Cooke)

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Following the question-and-answer portion of the town hall, Col. Austin reiterated the importance of open communication between residents and the housing team.

“We’re making progress with our work orders and improvements, but we can’t do that unless we know what the problem areas are,” Austin said. “Our housing team wants to get better and do better and we can’t do that without your feedback.”

The Hunter Army Airfield housing town hall will take place Sept. 27 from 4-6 p.m. in the open grass area across from the Pulaski Elementary School gate.

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Sgt. Cameron Mims, far left, offers directions to his teammates with the 2nd Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, during a team building exercise at the Fill the Ruck 5K event at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Sept. 6.
(Photo Credit: Pamela Sleezer)

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Donovan Shaw, with the Army Substance Abuse Program at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, checks in a service member and their squad during the Fill the Ruck 5K event Sept. 6.
(Photo Credit: Pamela Sleezer)

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Service members with the 201st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade were joined by a four-legged squad member during the Fill the Ruck 5K event at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Sept. 6.
(Photo Credit: Pamela Sleezer)

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Service members at Joint Base Lewis-McChord set off on their march carrying their 30-pound rucks and heavy rocks representing mental stress during a Fill the Ruck 5K event to highlight mental health awareness Sept. 6.
(Photo Credit: Pamela Sleezer)

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JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Stress is an everyday occurrence for most people, especially active-duty service members. Whether it be family, work or financial stressors, finding a way to cope with the mental weight of stress and any additional duties can be hard for just about everyone. But very few people ever open up to others about the burdens they carry every day, and, in the worst-case scenario, that can have devastating consequences.

On Sept. 6, service members across Joint Base Lewis-McChord took a stand to put an end to the stigma surrounding mental health awareness and learned how to be there for each other during the Fill the Ruck 5K event at Shoreline Park on Lewis North.

“Fill the Ruck started with an idea of how to start the conversations about what leads to suicide,” said Jackie Salazar, the event’s organizer, and manager of the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) at JBLM. “Suicide is a complex issue that can come from a combination of factors. We wanted to stress to service members the importance of seeking help from professionals and supportive individuals who can provide guidance and give them the resources available on and off the installation. We also wanted to stress the importance of communication and getting to know the person to the left and right of you and knowing their baseline.”

From that thought process, the Fill the Ruck event was born. Symbolizing the everyday stress that a person carries with them, squads of service members set off on a march just over 3 miles long from Shoreline Park to Russell Landing and back. Each squad member carried a 30-pound ruck bag on their backs – their baseline, or everyday stress – and, as a group, they carried two, large rocks meant to represent added stress.

“The rocks were meant to signify that we all have other stress than our normal baseline, and this is why we should ask for help when needed, or let people know when we are struggling with something,” Salazar said.

Along the march, the squads encountered three stations with activities requiring communication and teamwork to complete together as a group. The first was a twist on the game “telephone” and had each squad member relaying information from one to another with the goal of getting the information accurately transferred through the entire group. The second, required one squad member to put puzzles together while blindfolded, using only the guidance from his squad members.

The third and final station allowed teams to paint the rocks they had carried with them along the march. Each team member was required to add their own touch to the rocks about the power of positivity and resiliency. Salazar said this was by far the most popular part of the event.

“I had an overwhelming amount of Soldiers tell me that they really loved the painting of the rocks part the most, and that really touched me,” she said. “We intended for the squads to leave the rocks and a member of our ASAP team would deliver it to their command after the event, but we found that a good number of squads actually took their rocks with them. That makes us all feel really happy because to us, it feels like those rocks now mean something to them about what they did here today.”

Sergeant Cameron Mims, with the 2nd Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, said he was surprised at how interactive the event was, and that he was able to take away more than he expected.

“We had a lot of fun doing this, but it was also really useful,” Mims said. “I learned a lot today about communication and teamwork, and just overall how to be a better teammate.”

Immediately after teams returned from the ruck march portion of the event, Salazar said the groups are then ushered to other stations where they have the teams talk about situations regarding financial or relationship problems, and how they could work through those issues safely.

“Financial and relationships are the top two factors of suicide we have identified here at JBLM,” Salazar said.

More than 100 squads at JBLM were represented at the event, with about 1,800 total service members participating. Salazar said it was so well received by participants that she believes it could become an annual event.

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Conquering the Montagna Spaccata in Recoaro, Italy, Cathy Burlina displays her excitement. Burlina, who was recently selected as the Logistics Readiness Center Italy Employee of the Quarter, said every place she’s visited and every city she’s lived in she’s made her home.
(Photo Credit: Courtesy photo)

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VICENZA, Italy – Logistics Readiness Center Italy’s newest employee of the quarter said she doesn’t have a hometown. Instead, she considers herself a citizen of the world.

Cathy Burlina, a transportation assistant at LRC Italy, said she loves gardening, reading and watching documentaries, but she loves her family and traveling the globe most.

Born in Vicenza, the LRC Italy employee of the quarter, junior-grade category, 3rd quarter, fiscal year 2023, considers the earth her home.

With a daughter based out of Washington, D.C., and currently in Africa helping to fight malaria as a doctor and a son in Colorado working as a CEO for a company that writes algorithms, Burlina said she’s been extremely blessed in life and lucky to have traveled the world.

“Every single place I went to – every city I lived in – I made my home,” said the 57-year-old grandmother of a 1-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl. “I’m totally in love with the United States, and of course I love Italy and Europe, too.”

“I’m lucky to have traveled to places where many people have not,” she said. “I love to travel and try to do so as often as possible.”

Cathy Burlina, a transportation assistant at Logistics Readiness Center Italy, takes a break with her daughter’s dog at Patterson Park in Baltimore, Maryland. The LRC Italy employee of the quarter, junior-grade category, 3rd quarter, fiscal year 2023, said she loves to travel, and the world is her home.
(Photo Credit: Courtesy photo)

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Burlina, who has worked as an Italian local national employee with the U.S. Army for about 25 years, started out as a cashier at the commissary. She worked for about six years at the Defense Commissary Agency, both in Vicenza and Wiesbaden, Germany, before taking a job as an administrative assistant with the Directorate of Logistics, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart. After working in Stuttgart for four years she returned to Vicenza in 2009, and she’s been with LRC Italy in the transportation office ever since.

Being with LRC Italy for 14 years is “kind of strange for me because I like to move around,” Burlina said, “but I wanted to get to know my job 100 percent, with all the details and all the ins and outs. The opportunity to work at LRC Italy has been ideal because I’ve really learned the transportation business and the business of customer service.”

Burlina and her team at LRC Italy are responsible for coordinating all the household goods and unaccompanied baggage transportation requests and shipments for all the Soldiers, Army civilians, partner agencies and their families living and working in the U.S. Army Garrison Italy community.

“When you move, we all know it can be very stressful. It’s one of the most stressful points in one’s life,” she said. “But I have the power to help make these moves smoother and easier for my clients, and that’s one thing I’m very proud of because we all need a friend sometimes. I can be that friend and that help they need during the different situations they might be going through.”

Cathy Burlina, a transportation assistant at Logistics Readiness Center Italy, greets a customer at her office in Livorno, Italy. Burlina was recently selected as Logistics Readiness Center Italy Employee of the Quarter, junior-grade category, 3rd quarter, fiscal year 2023.
(Photo Credit: Courtesy photo)

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“I think my office and I have mastered the trade of supporting our clients,” said Burlina. “Working at LRC Italy has been a great opportunity, and I’m so grateful.”

Burlina said she’s equally grateful to be selected as LRC Italy’s employee of the quarter.

“I feel very proud and very humbled. It made my children proud of me, too,” she said.

Asked why she believes she was selected as the employee of the quarter, Burlina said she thinks it’s because she wanted to work smarter, not harder “and I wanted to help save the government some money.”

Responsible for assisting her office with going 100 percent digital by eliminating the old office filing system used there for decades, Burlina was able to help cut costs, free up office space and make the transportation office more efficient.

“Wasting all that money on manila folders, paper and printer ink was crazy,” Burlina said. “I said let’s come up with a plan. Let’s replace all the folders in these filing cabinets with electronic folders. They’re not physical and don’t take up any desktop or office space, and we’ll help save resources, time and money.”

LRC Italy is one of seven LRCs under the command and control of the 405th Army Field Support Brigade. LRCs execute installation logistics support and services to include supply, maintenance, and transportation as well as clothing issue facility operations, hazardous material management, personal property and household goods, passenger travel, non-tactical vehicle and garrison equipment management, and property book operations. When it comes to providing day-to-day installation services, LRC Italy directs, manages and coordinates a variety of operations and activities in support of USAG Italy.

LRC Italy reports to the 405th AFSB, which is assigned to U.S. Army Sustainment Command and under the operational control of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The brigade is headquartered in Kaiserslautern, Germany, and provides materiel enterprise support to U.S. Forces throughout Europe and Africa – providing theater sustainment logistics; synchronizing acquisition, logistics and technology; and leveraging U.S. Army Materiel Command’s materiel enterprise to support joint forces. For more information on the 405th AFSB, visit the official website and the official Facebook site.

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On average, military families move every three years, which is about four times more often than civilian families. Using healthy coping skills during times of transition is key to reducing stress and managing your mental health prior, during and after a military move. (Defense Centers for Public Health – Aberdeen graphic illustration by Rachel Stershic)
(Photo Credit: Douglas Holl)

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ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – Moving season is in full swing for many military families. The process of a Permanent Change of Station, or PCS, can be both exciting and stressful. Saying goodbye to what was familiar, and adjusting to new housing, employment, routines, social activities and schools can at times feel overwhelming. Logistically, some changes can be more time-consuming than others, such as the time spent in temporary housing, delivery of household items, and childcare enrollment. Using healthy coping skills during times of transition is key to reducing stress and managing your mental health prior, during and after a military move.

Coping With Stress

Moving is a long process which often takes individuals and families several months to complete. On average, military families move every three years – about four times more often than civilian families. A PCS can be physically, financially and emotionally demanding, even for military families who have moved several times. Although there are benefits to a new moving experience, the challenges can take an emotional toll.

Here are some tips to help cope with emotional stress following a PCS season.

1.   Manage expectations – Making practical to-do lists, a to-do binder, and an unpacking timeline can help with outlining realistic scenarios. However, despite making plans, it is important to maintain a flexible mindset for times when schedules don’t go according to plan. In addition to creating to-do lists, it can also be encouraging to make a list of completed tasks to foster a sense of accomplishment and progress.

2.   Have a positive mindset – Even if you are experienced with moving and can anticipate expected challenges, maintaining a positive mindset can be rewarding. Reframing negative thoughts and not expecting the worst can be mitigated by practicing positive self-talk. For example, in the midst of a frustrating day, telling yourself “This is temporary” and “I can do this” can positively impact your mood and behaviors.

3.   Self-care – While you’re unpacking boxes and creating new routines, it’s important to take time to decompress. Making the time instead of attempting to find the time (i.e., to exercise, go for a walk, eat healthy, journal before bed, and engage in enjoyable activities) can help you to not feel overwhelmed.

4.   Be patient, and acknowledge your feelings – Moving can be emotional. No matter how well prepared you are for a PCS move, it is important to recognize the different feelings that you may experience. Whether you have feelings of nervousness, grief, eagerness, or sadness, feeling emotional following a period of change is 100 percent normal, and it is important to accept your feelings as being part of the moving process.

5.   Talk to someone – Confiding in a friend, family member, chaplain, and/or behavioral health counselor can help manage emotional stressors following a PCS move. Maintaining contact with your support system from a previous duty station and/or finding a new counselor to talk to, whether over the phone or by video chat, can be helpful for families dealing with a stressful PCS move.

Confiding in a friend, family member, chaplain, and/or behavioral health counselor can help manage emotional stressors following a PCS move. Maintaining contact with your support system from a previous duty station and/or finding a new counselor to talk to, whether over the phone or by video chat, can be helpful for families dealing with a stressful PCS move. (Defense Centers for Public Health – Aberdeen graphic illustration by Rachel Stershic)
(Photo Credit: Douglas Holl)

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Additional Support Recommendations

• Attend an orientation – Numerous duty stations host a newcomers’ orientation to aid in adjusting after a move. Orientations generally include a wealth of information related to housing, schools, social services, spousal employment, and medical and mental health resources.
• Join a community Facebook page – This is a great way to learn about your new community and connect with fellow military families.
• Sesame Street for Military Families offers relocation resources and downloadable activities to help families maintain a sense of comfort through the changes associated with military life.
• Military OneSource lists relocation assistance planning tools, free resources, and support to help plan a PCS move.

The Defense Health Agency supports our Nation by improving health and building readiness—making extraordinary experiences ordinary and exceptional outcomes routine.

NOTE: The mention of any non-federal entity and/or its products is for informational purposes only, and not to be construed or interpreted, in any manner, as federal endorsement of that non-federal entity or its products.

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Marcus Smart, point guard with the Memphis Grizzlies, poses with the Macus Smark Basketball Clinic participants after the clinic had concluded June 24, 2023, at Abrams Physical Fitness More. More than 200 children participated in the clinic on Fort Cavazos. (U.S. Army photo by Blair Dupre, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs)
(Photo Credit: Blair Dupre)

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Marcus Smart watches as children participate in the five-versus-five portion of the basketball clinic June 24 at Abrams Physical Fitness Center on Fort Cavazos. (U.S. Army photo by Blair Dupre, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs)
(Photo Credit: Blair Dupre)

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FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — More than 200 children from Fort Cavazos participated in the free Marcus Smart Basketball Clinic Saturday at Abrams Physical Fitness Center here.

There also was a Mental Mindfulness portion of the camp that parents were encouraged to participate in.

Smart is a Texas native and is currently a point guard in the NBA, who was recently traded to the Memphis Grizzlies from the Boston Celtics. He felt the camp was a great way to give back to the children of military families.

“You’ve got families here risking their lives for our country and their kids unfortunately are brought into that,” he said. “They have no say so in where they are going to go. It’s hard to have a normal life when your family is in the (military). I just wanted to come and show these kids that just because they’re here doesn’t mean we don’t care. We care about them. We care about their families. We’re thankful for what their families are doing for our country and allowing someone like me to go play the game of basketball freely. It was important to me.”

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Basketballs fly through the air as the Marcus Smart Basketball Clinic participants practice proper shooting form June 24, 2023, on Fort Cavazos. The children also practiced ball handling techniques and rotated through different drill stations before competing five versus five. (U.S. Army photo by Blair Dupre, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs)
(Photo Credit: Blair Dupre)

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Marcus Smart attempts to dunk at the request of the children during the Marcus Smart Basketball Clinic June 24, 2023, on Fort Cavazos. “We care about (the children),” Smart said. “We care about their families. We’re thankful for what their families are doing for our country.” (U.S. Army photo by Blair Dupre, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs)
(Photo Credit: Blair Dupre)

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Bill Wilk, director of Smart’s YounGameChanger Foundation, said they’ve been looking to incorporate programs that encourage good mental health.

“We figured what better place to start than military families,” he shared, “if we can just make a small change in their life through Marcus doing a free basketball clinic and helping their parents or guardians (through) a yoga mental health program that incorporates meditation, yoga and journal writing.”

While some parents were participating in Mental Mindfulness, the children were spending the six-hour-long camp learning ball handling techniques, proper shooting technique, rotating through different drill stations and using their newly learned skills against each other in five versus five games.

“They’re going through a very intense basketball clinic,” Wilk said. “This is Marcus’ regular camp that he runs. It’s no joke.”

At the end of the camp, Smart fielded some questions from the children and even attempted to dunk for them. He said he hopes the children gained a great work ethic from the clinic so they can accomplish anything they put their minds to.

“I hope by seeing somebody that they really look up to and they (think), ‘If he can do it, whatever I put my mind to, I can do it.’ It may not be basketball but as long as they work hard they can give themselves a shot at anything they want to do.”

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1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Writing

AI-powered writing tools are becoming increasingly popular. These tools use algorithms to generate content that is similar to that written by humans. They can produce articles on any topic and in any style. While AI writing is not yet perfect, it is improving rapidly. In the future, we can expect AI writing to become more sophisticated and capable of producing high-quality content that is indistinguishable from human-written articles.

2. Interactive Articles

Interactive articles are articles that engage the reader through interactive elements such as quizzes, polls, and videos. These articles are becoming more popular as they provide a more engaging and interactive experience for the reader. Interactive articles are particularly popular in the education and entertainment industries.

3. Video Articles

Video articles are articles that are presented in video format. They are becoming increasingly popular as they provide a more engaging and interactive experience for the reader. Video articles are particularly popular in the news and entertainment industries.

4. Personalized Articles

Personalized articles are articles that are tailored to the reader’s interests and preferences. They are becoming more popular as they provide a more personalized reading experience. Personalized articles are particularly popular in the e-commerce and marketing industries.

5. Voice Search Optimization

Voice search optimization is becoming increasingly important as more people use voice search to find information online. Article writers will need to optimize their content for voice search to ensure that it is easily discoverable by voice assistants such as Siri and Alexa.

6. Collaborative Writing

Collaborative writing is becoming more popular as teams work together to produce high-quality content. Collaborative writing tools allow multiple writers to work on the same article simultaneously. This can improve the quality of the content and increase productivity.

7. Long-Form Content

Long-form content is becoming increasingly popular as readers seek more in-depth information on a topic. Long-form articles are typically over 2,000 words and provide detailed information on a specific topic. They are particularly popular in the education and technology industries.

In conclusion, the future of article writing is exciting, with new trends and innovations emerging constantly. AI writing, interactive articles, video articles, personalized articles, voice search optimization, collaborative writing, and long-form content are just some of the trends and innovations to watch out for in the future of article writing. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect article writing to become more sophisticated and engaging, providing a better reading experience for readers.

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1. Acknowledge your feelings

The first step to overcoming sadness is to acknowledge your feelings. Do not suppress your emotions or pretend that everything is okay. It is okay to feel sad, and it is essential to accept your emotions. Write down your feelings in a journal or talk to a friend or family member about how you feel.

2. Practice self-care

Taking care of yourself is crucial when you are feeling down. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly. You can also try activities that you enjoy, such as reading, listening to music, or watching a movie. Doing things that make you happy can help improve your mood.

3. Connect with others

Feeling sad can make you want to isolate yourself, but it is important to connect with others. Reach out to friends or family members, join a support group, or volunteer for a cause that you care about. Talking to others and sharing your feelings can help you feel less alone and improve your mood.

4. Practice mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness can help you stay in the present moment and reduce negative thoughts and emotions. You can try meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises. Mindfulness can help you feel more relaxed and calm.

5. Seek professional help

If your sadness persists, it is important to seek professional help. A therapist or counselor can help you work through your emotions and develop coping strategies. They can also help you identify any underlying mental health issues that may be contributing to your sadness.

In conclusion, sadness is a normal emotion, but prolonged sadness can lead to depression and affect your mental and physical health. It is essential to acknowledge your feelings, practice self-care, connect with others, practice mindfulness, and seek professional help if needed. Remember, you are not alone, and there is help available. You can overcome sadness and get back on the road to recovery.

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Retired Air Force Lt. Col. (Dr.) Jannell MacAulay, Ph.D., leadership and performance consultant, right, conducts a Warrior Heart workshop for McChord Field senior leaders at Joint Base Lewis-McChord June 5.
(Photo Credit: Airman 1st Class Colleen Anthony, 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs)

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Rebecca Aronson, left, 62nd Airlift Wing suicide prevention manager, listens to a guest speaker during a Warrior Heart presentation at Joint Base Lewis-McChord June 5.
(Photo Credit: Airman 1st Class Colleen Anthony, 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs)

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Retired Air Force Lt. Col. (Dr.) Jannell MacAulay, Ph.D., leadership and performance consultant, right, conducts a Warrior Heart workshop for McChord Field senior leaders at Joint Base Lewis-McChord June 5.
(Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Zoe Thacker, 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs)

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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. — Team McChord kicked off June with Warrior Heart, a new initiative that embodies Air Mobility Command Commander Gen. Mike Minihan’s directive to drive readiness. This keynote event launched the AMC-wide effort and introduced the concept of training your mind to Team McChord June 5.

“We hope to impart on McChord the idea that we can proactively train our minds to help ourselves out, and be more present,” said retired Air Force Lt. Col. (Dr.) Jannell MacAulay, Ph.D., leadership and performance consultant. “I want our military community to see that there really is a science to enjoying the spaces in between stress, to see the joy and laughter and know that professional success doesn’t have to be at the expense of our health and relationships.”

The Warrior Heart cultural effort, as designed by MacAulay and retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Brinkley, is rooted in bringing mindfulness, resilience and self-care skills to AMC Airmen through interventions at the leadership, family and individual level. The focus being not on building a program but breaking the stigmas and barriers that hinder the development of a mentally strong force.

“When you lead from the middle, your job is not to make everyone conform until they lose their identity,” said Brinkley. “Great leaders function as a conduit; they plug into you and there is a transfer of energy and knowledge.”

Throughout the eight workshops hosted at McChord, the Warrior Heart effort focused on taking leaders and teams through a transformational journey of self-reflection in order to engage actionable skills to master their internal

environment, command their mindset and elevate their performance.

“Our Airmen conduct operations on every continent of the earth, sometimes in harm’s way,” said Col. David Fazenbaker, former 62nd Airlift Wing commander. “Having skills that focus on self-care is incredibly important at home station and while deployed.”

These skill sets assist AMC personnel with learning to train their mind and heart – to fortify the will to win. Scientifically researched and evidence-based mindset skills can fill a vital training gap and function as mental rehabilitation in preparation for physical and mental stressors.

“You have people who sign up for something that most people never do, and they’ve signed up for the most stressful job in America,” said Brinkley. “If you’re leading them, you just signed yourself up for even more stress. Leaders are the people that everyone counts on by design, so when you are burned out, everyone that is plugged into you burns out, too.”

The Warrior Heart initiative will hit every AMC installation over the course of a two-year period.

“We led with McChord because we knew this base was already creating space for these types of efforts,” said MacAulay. “Not to mention, there are key warfighters and deployers at this location, and (Team McChord) was already starting this conversation, which made it that much easier for us to enhance it.”

By fine tuning mind, body and craft, AMC aims to fortify the will to win within the ranks. With a focus on eliminating stigma, lowering barriers and increasing access to key mental health amenities, Minihan believes Warrior Heart can help that happen.

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Staff Sgt. Ryan Rogers, Operation Test Command, receives advice from Ladina Peikert, self-help coordinator for Cavalry Family Housing, June 9 at the Lawn and Garden Center. (U.S. Army photo by Janecze Wright, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs)
(Photo Credit: (U.S. Army photo by Janecze Wright, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs))

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FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — Nothing says summer like overgrown grass and a long to-do list. Fortunately, the Lawn and Garden Center is helping Cavalry Family Housing residents address their landscaping and housing needs to keep their homes looking and running their best here.

Residents can rent lawn mowers, weed eaters and a host of other landscaping tools and pick up a variety of supplies like light bulbs, blinds and filters to keep their homes running efficiently all season long.

“As long as you live in our housing, you are welcome to come in here and borrow and pick up the supplies that we offer,” said Ladina Peikert, self-help coordinator for Cavalry Family Housing.

Piekert added that mowers and weed eaters are among the more popular rentals.

“The lawn equipment is a really big thing,” she added. “Because that’s something that they don’t have to go out and buy. They borrow it and they bring it right back. And that’s important.”

Staff Sgt. Ryan Rogers, Operation Test Command, expressed just how important the lawn equipment rentals have been for him since recently settling into Montague Village.

“It’s important that I don’t have to go spend money, especially since I just moved,” he said. “My last installation didn’t have something like this, so I always had to go buy extra things all the time. I just moved from Arizona, and I didn’t have a lawn mower because my backyard was all rock and stuff. So, coming here, I’m able to borrow it, so it makes it very convenient.”

Checking out equipment is as easy as filling out an equipment loan sheet and presenting valid military I.D. and proof of residency.

Lawn equipment that is signed out in the morning must be returned by 2 p.m. that same day. Items picked up in the afternoon must be returned the next morning.

Residents can also borrow things like spreaders, assorted garden tools, dollies and extension cords and are welcome to take items such as outlet covers, shower heads and batteries.

Summer is one of the busiest seasons for the Lawn and Garden Center, which loans lawn mowers and weed eaters to housing residents. The center also provides a variety of supplies to help residents keep their homes in working order. (U.S. Army photo by Janecze Wright, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs)
(Photo Credit: (U.S. Army photo by Janecze Wright, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs))

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All loaned equipment is required to be clean and in good operating condition upon return. Residents should bring mowers back to the center for gas refills.

“I had a great experience picking it up and using it and bringing it back,” Shantelle Cabral said about previous rentals. “It’s pretty easy.”

Cabral shared that her family has been here a little over a year and that the program saves residents from having to make a costly purchase.

“It’s good for families that don’t have the money for the equipment,” she said. “It’s also hard to have the equipment and constantly move. So, I think it’s a good thing to have.”

Piekert conveyed that the center helps residents keep everything in running order by providing a variety of do-it-yourself supplies in one convenient location.

“It helps the family members,” she said. “A lot of spouses, they have spouses that are deployed. Rather than call in a work order, it’s just easier for them to have a place to just go get (supplies) and take care of it themselves.

“We’re here for them,” Piekert said about housing residents. “We try to accommodate them within our boundaries.”

The Lawn and Garden Center provides supplies such as light bulbs, filters and blinds. The center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday. (U.S. Army photo by Janecze Wright, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs)
(Photo Credit: (U.S. Army photo by Janecze Wright, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs))

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The Lawn and Garden Center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday.

Residents should be aware that no landscaping machinery such as mowers, weed eaters or blowers, will be provided on Fridays due to scheduled maintenance.

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