Volunteers needed for invisible wounds interviews

  • Published
  • By Merrie Schilter-Lowe
  • 60 Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Air Force is seeking volunteers, including commanders at every level, to participate in interviews that will be used to develop a strategy to provide better care and support for Airmen and their families struggling with invisible wounds such as post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury and major depression.

A Booz Allen Hamilton culture assessment team will visit Travis Air Force Base, California, Jan. 22 to 26 to interview active duty and reserve members, civilians and military spouses as part of the Invisible Wounds Initiative. 

“The aim of the interviews is to discover the values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors surrounding invisible wounds and understand the benefits of seeking care,” said Michelle Padgett, Warrior Wellness and Policy Integration director. 

Those interviewed will remain anonymous and are not required to have personal knowledge of or experience with invisible wounds associated with deployments, said Padgett..

The information provided during each 60-minute session will be summarized with input from other interviews so comments cannot be attributed to any individual.

“Interview participants will be assigned an identification number and no personal information will be recorded during interviews or used during the analysis process,” said Padgett.  “Registration information and interview data will never be merged, connected or attributed.”

Contact information such as name, phone number and e-mail address is required to schedule an appointment.  This information will be permanently deleted once the team completes its visit at Travis, said Padgett.. 

Individuals will receive a specific interview location from the team and may bring a support person to the interview; however, children under age 18 cannot be present due to the nature of the conversations.

To register for an interview, visit:  https://iwicultureresearch.acuityscheduling.com.

The IWI was created in 2016 to help Air Force senior leadership develop an expected environment of understanding, trust and open discourse among Airmen and their families, peers and leadership.  The goal is to eliminate real and perceived barriers to care and treat Airmen suffering with invisible wounds with dignity throughout the recovery process.

Travis AFB is one of only three Air Force units selected for phase one of the program.  Langley AFB, Virginia and Kentucky Air National Guard, with headquarters in Louisville, also were selected. 

For more information, contact the assessment team at: IWICultureResearch@bah.com or 703-377-4111.