One of a series of reports designed to support Air Force leadership in promoting resilience among Airmen, its civilian employees, and Air Force family members, this report examines social fitness, or the combination of resources from social connections that influence how individuals respond to stressful circumstances. It assesses the current social fitness constructs and measures in scientific literature to identify methods of increasing social connectedness and support among U.S. Airmen and their families.

One of nine related reports on Total Force Fitness, including companion reports on the fitness domains : Medical -- Nutritional -- Environmental -- Physical -- Social -- Spiritual -- Behavioral.

What motivates you? What passions move you into action? What external motivators push you? Resiliency skills are defined as goal setting, mental and physical fitness, relaxation, perspective, building beliefs, thriving, showing empathy, and building social support. Skills presented in this book represent evidence-based research that supports both resilience and practices of effective learning. "Workplace suicide is higher among police, firefighters and medical providers. To be a survivor demands an internal commitment to learn the life lessons hidden within the heartbreaks we will encounter in our lives." Humans are herd animals, and only together have we been able to survive as a species. The lone wolf is a Hollywood myth. A healthy support system is one in which we both give and receive support. This book is about learning how to develop these crucial networks. Who is a hero? A hero is the parent who rises in the middle of the night to care for a sick child A hero is the teacher who inspires students to achieve their dreams A hero is the nurse who holds the hand of a dying patient A hero is the child who intervenes when another kid is being bullied Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Most times heroes don't like being called heroes. We are all heroes in our own stories, even more so for those of us called to be first responders. As heroes, each of us must undertake our own personal hero's journey. This course will be such an adventure. Let us begin, together. Social support is foundational to resilience. First responders - cops, firefighters, nurses, EMTs - collectively hold our society together. They deal with the emergencies and stresses of society. They help us cope physically and mentally. They are our social support systemand provide the connection individuals need to feel part of the community.

As U.S. service members deploy for extended periods on a repeated basis, their ability to cope with the stress of deployment may be challenged. Many programs are available to encourage and support psychological resilience among service members and families. However, little is known about these programs' effectiveness. This report reviews resilience literature and programs to identify evidence-informed factors for promoting resilience.

This report is one of a series designed to support Air Force leaders in promoting resilience among its Airmen, civilian employees, and Air Force families. It examines the relationship between physical fitness and resilience, using key constructs found in the scientific literature that address work-related physical fitness and health-related physical fitness.

Accompanying CD-ROM contains forms and handouts.

This report is one of a series designed to support Air Force leaders in promoting resilience among its Airmen, civilian employees, and Air Force families. It examines the relationship between medical fitness and resilience, using key constructs found in the scientific literature, which address preventive care, the presence and management of injuries and chronic conditions, and facilitators and barriers to access of appropriate health care.