Being an Airman has a lot of benefits, such as financial and job security, access to resources, healthcare, and more. However, being an Airman isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There are distinct challenges that come with being in the Air Force, and these challenges can create tension, stress, and mental health issues for our nation’s heroes.

If you’re a loved one of an Airman, you will get front-row seats to all of their successes and struggles. It can be difficult to watch someone you care about struggle in their career, but there are steps you can take to help alleviate their stress and thrive in their career. Below, we’ll go into more detail about the challenges our Airmen face and what you can do to support them through their careers.

Common Challenges Our Airmen Experience

Our Airmen can experience a wide range of struggles during their service that extend beyond what’s experienced during their day-to-day operations. While these challenges vary based on circumstances, some of the most common challenges for our Airmen include:

●Physical and mental health issues

●Deployment or frequent PCSing

●Substance misuse and abuse

●Financial difficulties or strain

●Social isolation from loved ones

●Time management issues

●Familial strain or tension

Even when an Airman is only experiencing one or two of these challenges at a time, it can make it difficult to thrive in their career and live their lives. One of the ways that members of the Air Force can overcome these challenges is by having a good support network in place that’s informed about the difficulties in their career so they can effectively overcome the obstacles and flourish in their lives and careers.

Different Ways You Can Offer Support

If you’re a loved one of an Airman, you likely want to find a way to support them so their struggles don’t become insurmountable. Whether you’re at home with them every day or somewhere far away, there are different ways you can offer your support, which include:

1. Communicate Often

Part of being in the Air Force means being away from home for extended periods, whether it’s for a mission, deployment, basic training, or another reason. Many Airmen experience feelings of isolation and loneliness when they’re away from their family and friends, which can make it difficult to focus on their important work. While you can’t be there with them during their operations, you can do your best to stay in contact with them and offer your support. Sending a text, making a call, or even writing a letter can go a long way in making your Airman feel appreciated and supported, even when they’re thousands of miles from home.

You can also ask your Airman directly what would be the best ways to help. For example, if they are having a difficult time at work, you can be there to discuss their challenges and help them navigate the problem if it’s something they can speak about. You can also offer to take on some of their responsibilities outside of work when they’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, such as their chores or errands. When you have an open line of communication, it makes it easier to work as a team and offer each other support when it’s needed.

Remember that members of the Air Force aren’t always allowed to share what’s happening at work, so they may be intentionally vague or keep the details close to their chest. Know that this isn’t done with the intent to shut you or anyone else out but to protect and serve our country. Avoid getting frustrated or upset when your Airman doesn’t share everything that’s going on but offer your support instead and be understanding, which can still make a difference in your loved one’s life.

2. Make and Send Care Packages

If your Airman is away on deployment, you can send them care packages to let them know you’re thinking of them and that you’re offering them support all the way from home. Having some familiar items from the States can also make your loved one feel less isolated while they’re engaged in their operations overseas. Some common items to send in care packages include:

●Hand-written letters from loved ones

●Necessities, like toiletries, lip balm, and sunscreen

●Food, such as trail mix, beef jerky, and cookies

●Games, including puzzles, activity books, and cards

●Entertainment, such as writing supplies, magazines, journals, and DVDs

Your care package should include things that are useful to your Airman and remind them of home. When you’re packing up the box, take some precautions to ensure it will reach your loved one in one piece. Since the box will need to make it overseas, use a quality box with plenty of cushioning to protect the items inside. There may be some restrictions as far as the weight and size of the package, but you can speak to your Airman about this so you don’t go over these limits.

3. Be There to Offer Your Help

When the job gets overwhelming, many Airmen find it difficult to complete tasks or keep up with their responsibilities outside of work. Many Airmen struggle in ways we can’t see, so it’s important to openly communicate with your loved one so you can tackle challenges together as they occur.

While your loved one is busy with work, you can look around for resources they can use when they’re having a difficult time. Even though they’re in the Air Force, many Airmen are unaware of the full extent of resources and assistance they have available to them, so doing the research yourself and pointing your loved one in the right direction can make a difference. You can find plenty of resources on-base, through military-affiliated groups, and non-profits.

It’s also important to keep an eye on your loved one’s mental health as it is a common struggle for many Airmen. Familiarizing yourself with some of the common mental health conditions and symptoms that affect our Airmen can make it easier to spot the signs in your loved one. If you notice any signs of deteriorating mental health, talk with your loved one and encourage them to seek professional help. You can even locate the resources they can use so they don’t have to try to find help themselves when they’re already struggling.

4. Properly Manage Your Stress

It can be stressful to be a family member or friend of someone serving in the Air Force, especially if you’re watching your loved one struggle. It’s important to take steps to manage your stress so you avoid becoming overwhelmed or experiencing burnout, which would make it difficult to offer the level of support your Airman needs. There are many different methods you can use for managing your stress, including:

●Eating a balanced diet

●Getting a minimum of eight hours of sleep each night

●Exercising regularly throughout the week

●Spending time with family and friends

●Making time to decompress and relax

●Engaging in enjoyable activities or hobbies

●Talking with loved ones or a mental health professional

As you learn to cope with your stress, it will be easier for you to help your loved one cope with their challenges. You can teach some of the skills you’ve learned to your Airman so they can learn to manage their stress and deal with some of the challenges they face at work more effectively.

5. Make an Effort to Spend Time Together

One of the best ways you can support your loved one is to spend time with them. A lot of the stress that our Airmen experience is due to missing out on important moments in their lives with their families and friends due to their commitment to work and the country. These missed moments can make your loved one feel isolated, which can have a significant impact on their mental health. Despite their busy schedules, you can take steps to make sure they feel like their lives outside of work aren’t going on without them. ‘

Take time to plan social activities or gatherings that fit within your loved one’s schedule. While it may be difficult, it’s worth it to improve the mental well-being of your Airman. Make time to create meaningful memories with each other, whether it’s spending time at home, going out on a date, spending time with children, gathering as a family, or going out with friends. These moments will mean a lot to your loved one and can make them feel more supported and cared for while they’re working.

AUSI Offers Our Support to Our Airmen

After years of working closely with our Airmen, American Uniform Sales is familiar with the struggles they face. While we can’t alleviate all the stress and struggles our Airmen face, we do our best to offer our support where it’s possible. We regularly post useful information and resources on our blog to help address your needs and concerns, and we keep our website stocked with AFI-compliant uniforms and useful gear to assist you in your career. You can also contact us directly if you have any questions or concerns.