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Four of the five initiatives are perceived positively by stakeholders, and qualitative data support an expansion of these four across a broader section of the Air Force

• Welcome Centers are well received by users and leaders, and support for the initiative is high.
• Many elements of the RSTs initiative were highly valued by participants in Phase 1 and remained highly valued in Phase 2.
• The EMHT initiative has been well respected and beneficial when properly staffed.
• The OST initiative has made positive contributions to units and may prove even more valuable with some modifications.
• The NORTH STAR initiative was not successful, and it was terminated during the beta test period.

Each initiative has faced challenges that require resolution prior to the expansion of TFTN

• Streamlining appointments and minimizing passive briefing time will improve the existing Welcome Centers and any new installations if the program were to be expanded.
• Ensuring that RSTs can deliver preventive and educational programming with minimal administrative overhead and reducing their counseling burden by ensuring that the EMHT initiative is fully staffed and resourced will help RSTs fully realize their potential.
• The EMHT initiative was hindered by the disadvantages associated with a contracted workforce, and this was compounded by poor administrative processes and inconsistent human resources policy on behalf of the contracting company.
• OSTs need more support from the contracting company, Medical Group (MDG) entities, and the 711th Human Performance Wing.

Task Force True North (TFTN) is a collection of five initiatives chartered by the U.S. Air Force to improve resilience and well-being in airmen and their families. These initiatives have been undergoing beta testing at four locations: Whiteman Air Force Base (AFB), Minot AFB, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, and Beale AFB. The authors undertook a qualitative analysis of the perceptions of key stakeholders across all TFTN initiatives to identify what is or is not working well with the goal of expanding TFTN to a broader section of the Air Force.

The authors conducted interviews and focus groups with leadership, providers, and airmen during two sets of base visits to each of the four beta test locations. Thematic analysis of the data collected from the base visits allowed the authors to identify key findings related to each of the initiatives and to TFTN as a whole, as well as changes in perceptions in the six months between the first and second set of base visits.

The authors provide background information on TFTN and its initiatives—Welcome Centers, NORTH STAR, Religious Support Teams (RSTs), Embedded Mental Health Teams (EMHTs), and Operational Support Teams (OSTs)—and describe perspectives gathered from the interviews and focus groups. The authors conclude with recommendations designed to help each of the initiatives reach its full potential to improve airmen resilience and well-being.

• Chapter One

  Introduction

• Chapter Two

  Dimensions of Well-Being and Resilience

• Chapter Three

  The Welcome Center

• Chapter Four

  NORTH STAR

• Chapter Five

  Religious Support Teams

• Chapter Six

  Embedded Mental Health Teams

• Chapter Seven

  Operational Support Teams

• Chapter Eight

  Overarching Findings

• Chapter Nine

  Recommendations and Conclusions

• Appendix A

  Methodology

• Appendix B

  Protocols