MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Resiliency, professional development, and team building are the foundation on which the 22nd Communications Squadron’s newest initiative is built upon.
The Airman 4 Life program aims to create a lasting impact on Airmen's lives, extending far beyond their time in uniform.
"Our goal is to give Airmen skills they can carry with them wherever they go," said 2nd Lt. Michael Lee, 22nd CS officer in charge of mission systems support. “We hope the things they learn during A4L help them grow not just as Airmen, but as people and leaders.”
The idea is to provide engaging opportunities for Airmen to gain personal and professional development skills both on and off duty – and it works.
The inspiration behind A4L was a desire to offer something truly impactful.
"Honestly, it came from wanting to give our Airmen something more," Lee said. “Our hope is that A4L becomes something they look forward to every month.”
With increasing workloads and ongoing manpower shortages, CS leadership recognized the stress many Airmen face. The program's vision is to create a space where Airmen can connect, learn valuable skills, and find moments to reset.
The A4L program is meant to empower Airmen to thrive, regardless of their career path.
"We really want our Airmen to walk away feeling like it’s okay to slow down and realize that they are not alone in feeling overwhelmed sometimes," Lee said. “We hope they gain tools and experiences that will benefit their career, in and beyond the Air Force.”
This forward-thinking initiative ensures that the skills gained are not just applicable to military duties, but also to life after service.
“It’s nice to not be focused so much on the military aspect,” said Senior Airman Darius-James Van, 22nd CS radio frequency technician. “I feel like I’m being cared about in a way.”
The A4L program caters to each of its Airmen’s needs through its three core blocks: resiliency, professional development, and team building.
The resiliency block covers the four pillars of well-being – physical, mental, social, and spiritual. A4L encourages Airmen to address these aspects of their lives through open discussions.
The professional development block focuses on practical skills for career progression, and financial stability. This includes topics such as performance statement writing, financial planning, and investing.
The team-building block involves a monthly activity, which yields camaraderie and unity within the squadron. Past activities have included sports outings, and visits to museums.
“I just love going out with my Airman 4 Life group,” Van said. “One day we did this virtual golf simulator. I’ve never done that before, and the guys were teaching me how to golf, and some of it got kind of competitive!”
After the structured program, Airmen are given time to attend to personal needs, such as medical appointments and computer-based training.
Since its launch, the Airmen for Life program has received an overwhelmingly positive response from Airmen.
"It’s been really efficient so far,” Lee said. “We’ve seen great turnouts and we’ve been getting a lot of feedback from the Airmen that they enjoy being able to interact with people and hearing different stories."
The program's success is further highlighted by the active engagement of the Airmen themselves. According to Lee, Airmen have been suggesting new ideas for future team building exercises and requesting topics they want to learn about to better their career. This level of participation shows a genuine appreciation for the resources and opportunities the A4L program provides.
Because of its initial success, the 22nd Communications Squadron has ambitious plans for the A4L program's expansion. Recognizing that the program is still in its developmental stages, Lee claims that there is a lot of room to grow.
Future plans include teaching Airmen a range of useful life skills, such as basic car maintenance, cooking, financial literacy, and more. The long-term vision also involves bringing in guest speakers, host panels, and even collaborating with other squadrons and base agencies. All this planning is done to ensure the program remains interesting and relevant to the Airmen’s needs.
Refining communication skills, developing stress management techniques, and enhancing teamwork skills are all competencies that matter in and out of uniform. The A4L program is an investment in the future of Airmen. By prioritizing personal development within a supportive community, the 22nd Communications Squadron is continuing the tradition of empowering Airmen for a lifetime of success.