Cannon refines Commando Readiness Center with new welcoming program

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Gage Adison Daniel
  • 27th Special Operations Wing

With the Commando Readiness Center up and running for over a year, it’s been through a few changes to increase its efficiency and relevance.

Recently, the CRC has undergone Phase II of its plans to increase effectiveness by adding a welcoming program that new members of Cannon must check into within 24 hours of arrival on base.

The new welcoming process’ intent is to provide Airmen with all the contacts and base resources they may need now, in the future or for emergencies.

“We want to make sure everyone has access to all the resources they may need as soon as possible when they arrive to Cannon,“ said Master Sgt. Rachel Carroll, the CRC noncommissioned officer-in-charge.

Some of the items offered upon arrival are a brochure that includes a quick reference phone book, a list of contacts for the resiliency team, a support team guide, upcoming professional development courses and contacts, along with Airman and Family Readiness Center and Equal Opportunity office brochures.

“Airmen have access to a lot of resources that they don't know about,” Carroll said.

Another goal of the CRC’s second phase is to ensure Airmen are aware of the briefings and classes they have to attend and get them in as soon as possible.

“Our goal is to effectively streamline the process of getting people what they need and where they need to be,” Carroll said. “We are getting people signed up for the newcomers brief, the First Term Airman Center course, the Article 137 brief and so on. Sometimes, people aren’t aware of the timeline they’re on for getting into these and we want to be sure they are taken care of.”

The CRC aims to provide Airmen, new and old, with the best and easiest information to understand in a streamlined process that gets them in and out while effectively distributing understandable, useful information.

“The CRC is an excellent tool for newcomers who do not have a ton of PCS experience because it’s a one-stop-shop where they can ask questions and get answers,” said Master Sgt. Meagan Carrizales, 27th Special Operations Wing programs and special projects superintendent. "The CRC does an excellent job of welcoming new Airmen and ensuring they get settled and familiar with the base as quickly as possible.”

On top of being a helping agency, the CRC aims to be a prevention agency, as prevention is important to the mental, physical and emotional health and success of all Airmen Carroll said.

“During the two days spent at the CRC, we immerse the newcomers in prevention of all sorts,” Carroll said. “This prevention ranges from sexual assault and violence to an analysis of people’s running styles and the use of our InBody fitness machine that measures a person's body fat, muscle weight, water weight and Body Mass Index amongst many other things.”

To keep the CRC relevant and ready, they are constantly adapting to changing environments and climates to provide the best care for Air Commandos.