The 172nd Airlift Wing initiates Team Magnolia
Story by: Airman First Class Dawson Carter
Earlier this year, the 172nd Airlift Wing initiated Team Magnolia, designed to foster resilience and help create an Airman-to-Airman connection. This new team equips Airmen with the correct resources so they can receive essential services.
“Team Magnolia empowers Airmen at all levels to watch over and support each other, reducing barriers to mental health and support services,” said Chaplain Caleb Clark, 172nd Deputy Wing Chaplain. “By decentralizing care from solely senior enlisted to every member, it aims to make help more accessible and less rank-conscious.”
Chaplain Clark created the program in order to help Airmen and those who need the tools and resources, such as Judge Advocate General (JAG), Sexual Assault Prevention Response (SAPR), Military and Family Readiness, Chaplain’s Office, and the Director of Psychological Health.
“It also gives back to the Airmen that volunteer to be in the program,” said Marianne Breland, the 172nd AW Military and Family Readiness Program Manager. “They can actually learn more by volunteering to be in the program than if they hadn’t.”
Marianne Breland, along with Chantel Shepard, one of the Directors of Psychological Health, joined the development of Team Magnolia in order to provide Airmen with the help they need. Members of Team Magnolia are able to make that Airman-to-Airman connection in a way that they can bridge that gap between Airmen and support services.
“I think it’s an amazing program because as the Director of Psychological Health, I only have access to so much information, so much knowledge of what’s going on in the squadrons,” said Shepard. “Having Team Magnolia members embedded in the squadron gives me more access and information because some members don’t know where to go or who to turn to.”
Every 172nd AW Airman is able to join Team Magnolia. This offers a chance not only to the Airmen but also to Team Magnolia members to learn more about the services available on base. Every member will be provided with the necessary skills and tools to be mission-ready. After the training is done, Airmen will be more capable of answering service-related questions. In the end, this program is meant to foster Airmen and create connections throughout the Wing.
Given the high operational tempo of the 172nd AW, Team Magnolia provides a vital network for Airmen at home and across the globe.
“We never know what a deployment will be like,” said Shepard. “We are here to teach those vital skills that give our members the tools they need to thrive.”
| Date Taken: | 12.19.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.20.2024 11:40 |
| Story ID: | 487923 |
| Location: | MISSISSIPPI, US |
| Web Views: | 12 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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