Southwest Asia --
Preparation is paramount to success. Preparation determines
how successful the outcome of any task is. Today, Airmen are prepared to deploy
at a moment’s notice in support of contingencies around the globe and U.S.
National interests.
But how do we prepare Airmen to make life or death
decisions in combat and how to cope with the aftermath of those decisions?
The Defender’s Edge program is used by the Expeditionary
Security Forces Squadron to enable their personnel to handle those situations
and to do their best in any situation--at home or abroad--personally and
professionally.
“Defender’s Edge is training we use to help Airmen
prepare for outside the wire and home station situations,” said Senior Master
Sgt. Michael, ESFS, operations superintendent. “It helps us prepare and cope
with the things we respond to on a daily basis.”
Having the right mindset brings a heightened sense
of awareness to the battlefield. It fosters a culture where Airmen can count on
each other in stressful combat situations and maintain a physical, spiritual,
social and mental edge.
That edge prepares Airmen to make difficult decisions,
including taking an enemy combatant’s life.
“When something happens, I can immediately refer
back to my training and know what to do,” said Senior Airman James, ESFS, fire
team member. “It’s helped prepare me to control my emotions and how to react in
stressful situations.”
Harnessing that ability and putting it to use may
seem difficult. However, the aftermath of killing someone in combat is usually
the more challenging part to deal with.
Taking a life in combat can bring on an incredible
amount of emotions, psychological issues, and traumatization. It’s crucial to
help those Airmen understand how to deal with those feelings and keep them
engaged.
“By preparing for what you are going to experience,
you can minimize the adversity,” said Major Michael, ESFS, commander. “It’s
going to be difficult, but having a support structure and leaning on your peers
for help is important to deal with those feelings. It’s normal to feel that
way.”
“It’s how you fight through it and come back
stronger on the other side” he added.
Some Airmen may never utilize their firearm in
combat or have to take a life, but that doesn’t undercut the intent of
preparing for something that could happen.
“Every day we put on our gear, we face a potential
threat,” said Major Michael. “All the things we see on a day-to-day basis can
take an emotional toll. Defender’s Edge is woven in to our training to get them
prepared. It helps Airmen be more comfortable talking to peers and grow as
individuals.”
Defender’s Edge doesn’t just apply to high stress
situations; it takes root at the personal level.
It focuses on developing specific attributes such as
values, code, and tactics which can help Airmen in their daily lives and those
around them.
“Defender’s Edge is tailored to help people develop
winning mindsets,” said Senior Airman James. “It instills confidence and
reinforces concepts that remind us that we’re the best at what we do.”
The program is helping Airmen to control negative
variables and turn them in to motivation through preparation.
Preparation that’s leading Airmen to success.
(Editor’s note: Due to safety and security reasons,
last names and unit designators were removed.)