Serving in the military is more than just a profession – it’s a way of life. Military service can affect personal relationships, health, fitness and more.
One of the greatest sources of strength to meet the unique challenges of military life comes from connection with others across a Spectrum of Resilience, according to the Department of Air Force Resilience website.
“Mental health is health – period,” said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III in an October 2022 statement. “It's on all of us to end the stigma of asking for help and support when we or someone we know is feeling distressed, anxious, or isolated.”
He added, “Reaching out is a marker of strength and resilience.”
Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Guardians, and their families have free counseling available 24/7 through Military OneSource. These counselors provide short-term, confidential, non-medical support services for a wide range of issues from marital conflicts, anger management, stress management along with coping with separation, loss and deployments.
In addition, Military One Source offers OurRelationship, a flexible, online, evidence-based counseling tool for military couples to strengthen their relationships. It is tailored to the military community and is free to all active-duty, Guard and Reserve couples.
“When a couple is in a dysfunctional or broken place, it’s important to be able to have a source to help heal those things,” said Chaplain (Maj.) Kimberly Hall, Hanscom installation chaplain. “It makes couples grow holistically and not only creates a better lifeline to improving their marriage and relationship, but is especially important for couples in the military or with families because of the trickle-down effect broken relationships cause.”
According to the OurRelationship website, the program was designed after talking with military couples about the specific challenges they face such as deployments, frequent moves, and service-related physical or mental health challenges.
Many OurRelationship coaches have a military background and understand the unique challenges military couples face.
“Couples doing the OurRelationship program report a 45 percent increase in their relationship satisfaction from the beginning to the end of the program,” according to the OurRelationship website.
It offers flexibility where couples can complete the program separate from each other or outside of normal business hours.
Since couples can complete the online activities together or separately, it is ideal for those separated because of deployment or other reasons.
Participants can also decide if they would like to work one-on-one with a OurRelationship coach or through a self-guided version of the program.
Couples working with a coach have the program tailored to their needs and have their work reinforced with weekly phone or video calls at a convenient time.
When choosing the self-guided option, couples work through structured conversations and tasks and receive feedback based on their responses.
Both the self-guided and coaching options take four to six weeks to complete. The program requires a substantial amount of reading and access to the internet.
“It’s a wonderful thing that Military OneSource is offering because ultimately we want all military members in a healthy place, but we can’t be healthy if we’re operating in dysfunction and brokenness,” Hall said.
The program isn’t for everyone or every situation, which is why Military OneSource has several additional options available to support military members and their families in their Spectrum of Resilience.
Information on current resources can be found on the Re The We website or by contacting Military OneSource at 800-342-9647 to determine the best type of relationship support.
The Hanscom Chapel team is also available for confidential counseling and hosts local Strong Bonds events for military families. These events take place over a weekend and are designed to build individual resiliency by strengthening relationships for military members.
For additional local resources, Hanscom military personnel can contact the Military Family Life Counseling office at 781-315-7992 or email HanscomAdultMFLC@SRIMFLCTeam.com. Similarly, Hanscom civilian personnel can contact the Employee Assistance Program to schedule an appointment at 866-580-9078 or by visiting www.afpc.af.mil/EAP and registering with the code USAirForce.
Rear Adm. Richard S. Lofgren serves as the Acting Chief of Navy Reserve and Acting Commander, Navy Reserve Force. In this role, he provides strategic leadership and oversight for Navy Reserve personnel and operations worldwide, supporting the readiness and integration of Reserve forces across the fleet. A Surface Warfare Officer, Rear Adm. Lofgren brings extensive operational and command experience across maritime expeditionary, coastal riverine, and surface warfare missions, including service in senior leadership roles supporting U.S. naval operations in multiple geographic combatant commands. His career reflects a sustained commitment to operational excellence, leadership development, and the effective employment of Navy Reserve forces in support of national security objectives.
Rear Adm. Luke Frost is a Surface Warfare Officer with extensive operational, command, and strategic leadership experience across the fleet. He has served in senior command roles at sea and ashore, including command of major surface combatants and amphibious forces operating throughout the Central Command and Indo-Pacific areas of responsibility. As a Flag Officer, Rear Adm. Frost served as Director, Reserve Warfare (OPNAV N0959) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, where he provided oversight and strategic guidance for Reserve force integration and readiness. His career reflects a deep commitment to warfighting excellence, joint operations, and the effective employment of naval forces in support of U.S. national security objectives.
Rear Admiral John Saccomando is a Naval Aviator with extensive operational, command, and strategic leadership experience across both active and reserve components. He has served in multiple senior command and flag assignments supporting naval aviation, expeditionary operations, and installation readiness, including leadership roles within U.S. Fleet Forces and Naval Air Forces Atlantic. A combat-experienced aviator, Rear Adm. Saccomando brings deep expertise in joint operations, force integration, and operational readiness, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing naval capabilities and supporting U.S. national security objectives worldwide.
Rear Adm. Greg Emery is a Navy Reserve flag officer with extensive leadership experience across naval oceanography, intelligence, and information warfare. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he has served in a wide range of operational, command, and staff assignments supporting global naval and joint operations, including senior leadership roles within Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Rear Adm. Emery brings deep expertise in intelligence integration, operational support, and information warfare, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing decision advantage and mission readiness across the fleet.
Force Master Chief Nicole C. Rios serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Navy Reserve, advising on the readiness, welfare, and professional development of approximately 59,000 Reserve Component Sailors supporting Navy, Marine Corps, and joint operations worldwide. A seasoned Command Master Chief, she brings extensive experience across aviation, expeditionary, and information warfare communities, with senior enlisted leadership assignments at the unit, regional, and force levels. Her career reflects a sustained commitment to Sailor advocacy, operational readiness, and the effective integration of Navy Reserve forces in support of national defense objectives.
Command Master Chief Lyons brings extensive operational and shore-based leadership experience across aviation, logistics, manpower, and readiness organizations within the Navy Reserve enterprise. Selected as a Command Master Chief in 2016, he has served in senior enlisted leadership roles at Navy Operational Support Center Pearl Harbor, Navy Personnel Command, Maritime Support Wing, Fleet Readiness Center Mid-West, and currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command. An Aviation Warfare Specialist, he is recognized for sustained excellence in leadership and readiness, earning multiple personal, joint, and unit awards throughout his career.
Command Master Chief Louvier enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1997 and brings extensive aviation maintenance and readiness leadership experience across multiple Fleet Logistics, Strike Fighter, Helicopter, and Reserve aviation commands. Selected as a Command Master Chief in 2015, he has served in senior enlisted leadership roles at VR-56, Commander, Tactical Support Wing, Fleet Readiness Center Reserve Mid-West, and currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve. An Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, he is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy and multiple executive leadership programs and has earned numerous personal and unit awards for sustained excellence in leadership and mission readiness.
Master Chief Jerry E. Dotson was born in Garden Grove, California, and raised in Sacramento. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 29, 2002, and completed recruit training and Electrician’s Mate “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois. His career spans operational, reserve, aviation, and senior enlisted leadership assignments, and he currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve.