Wingman Project
Encyclopedia
The Wingman Project is a layperson suicide intervention program that shows U.S. military members and their families how to intervene to save a life. By promoting a Wingman Ethos, whereby military families and members take personal accountability for the well being of each other, communities can help strengthen the bonds that exist between veterans, their families, and ordinary citizens. Funded nationally in the U.S., the Wingman Project is executed state-by-state through a combined effort of chaplains, family support, safety, and other related support functions at local Air National Guard
(ANG) units.
Originally called Wingman For Life in 2007, the Wingman Project is a “show, don’t tell” suicide intervention program for military members. In this context, the term intervention is used as a distinct supplement to existing “prevention” programs. A string of suicides among Citizen-Airmen in the summer of 2007 created the sense of urgency to do something. At the same time, a public memo from the Chief of Staff of the Air Force (CSAF), Gen T. Michael Moseley
, entitled “Wingmen for Life” inspired the name and leadership vector. Upon recommendations of military chaplains and health care providers, the project adopted the ACE methodology as the primary intervention strategy for laypeople.
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
(ANG) units.
About the Wingman Project
The Wingman Project is designed to decrease military suicides through human intervention in crisis events, referral to competent professional authority, and de-stigmatization of mental health care.Originally called Wingman For Life in 2007, the Wingman Project is a “show, don’t tell” suicide intervention program for military members. In this context, the term intervention is used as a distinct supplement to existing “prevention” programs. A string of suicides among Citizen-Airmen in the summer of 2007 created the sense of urgency to do something. At the same time, a public memo from the Chief of Staff of the Air Force (CSAF), Gen T. Michael Moseley
T. Michael Moseley
Teed Michael Moseley, , is a retired United States Air Force General who served as the 18th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force...
, entitled “Wingmen for Life” inspired the name and leadership vector. Upon recommendations of military chaplains and health care providers, the project adopted the ACE methodology as the primary intervention strategy for laypeople.
Project goal
The goal of the Wingman Project, and the tools associated therewith, is to teach military members and their loved ones how to intervene to save a life. The life they save may be a fellow military member’s, a veteran’s, a loved one’s, or even their own. Using a straight forward approach known as Ask, Care, Escort (ACE), men and women in uniform will have the tools to intervene during a crisis in order to help a friend or loved one get the professional help needed.See also
- American Foundation for Suicide PreventionAmerican Foundation for Suicide PreventionThe American Foundation for Suicide Prevention was founded in 1987 by a group of experts on suicide who wanted to create a 5013 organization to fund research in suicide prevention....
- National Suicide Prevention LifelineNational Suicide Prevention LifelineThe National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK is a suicide prevention network of 132 crisis centers in the United States, that provides a 24-hour, toll-free hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. After dialing 1-800-273-TALK, the caller is routed to their...
- Suicide Prevention Action Network
- Antarctic Wingman Project
External links
- The Wingman Project: Suicide Intervention
- Disruptive Solutions Process DSPDisruptive Solutions ProcessThe Disruptive Solutions Process is a concept applied to the mishap prevention part of the combat operations process, often at tactical or operational level, primarily in Air National Guard applications. However, it has been used successfully in other government agencies and in the private sector...
- See And Avoid: Civil/Military Mid-Air Collision Avoidance
- Air Force Maintenance Resource Management: Human Error Reduction in Military Maintenance
- Lockheed's Skunkworks: Kelly's 14 Rules
- Seamless Compassion, One-stop Automated Public Assistance: Seamless Compassion Link
- FlyAwake: Pilot Fatigue Mitigation
- Military One Source: MOS
- QPR Institute: QPR
- ASIST: ASIST
- Hangar 30, primary content subcontractor on Wingman Project: H30