CAF, Faith help Airman overcome obstacles Published June 12, 2015 By Master Sgt. Donna T. Jeffries 514th Air Mobility Wing JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST -- Homeless, jobless and friendless; millions across the world face this reality daily. The stereotypical images of the homeless are people sleeping on park benches; combing through garbage cans or walking listlessly on city streets pushing shopping carts that hold their sole possessions. These people are easy to spot and easier to make assumptions about. Yet in reality, according to The National Alliance to End Homelessness, the majority of people facing homelessness are dealing with a temporary condition due to life issues. With the right resources and using resilience they soon overcome the setback. This age-old story hit home to Tech. Sgt. Kevin Curry, a Reserve noncommissioned officer in charge of Family Readiness with the 514th Air Mobility Wing, nearly eight years ago as his four-month active duty orders were ending. During the six-months it took for him to transition from the military, back to civilian life, Curry underwent all the anxiety and stress that comes with having an unplanned future and no home. "I was facing nowhere to sleep except the back seat of my car or a friend's couch; no job or prospects of a job in sight; and no one I felt comfortable to reach out to for help," said Curry whose story is featured on the Air Force Wingman Toolkit video. The, then, Brooklyn resident had previously given up his apartment and job prior to going to Texas for military medical training. At the time he failed to think or plan for what comes after graduating. To top it off, he got hurt a week before his school tour ended making his anxieties about the future even worse. "I didn't really want to tell my family and have to deal with their questions," said the brother of a twin. Yet, though he was nervous and embarrassed, he knew he had to do something. He pulled from his knowledge of the Comprehensive Airman Fitness Resilience Training to deal with his situation. CAF resilience training increases proactive coping, self-management and leadership skills by focusing on the individual's mental, physical, social and spiritual fitness. The mental health technician said it was his faith in God and his, albeit reluctant, willingness to share his story with his military family that opened the path to better opportunities and that kept him from becoming destitute. "I've taught these resilience pillars to others and now it's not a presentation - its real life and I'm walking that life now!" said Curry. But, by opening up and allowing others to assist, Curry learned that his injury would actually be his saving grace as it allowed him to get his civilian life in order while he remained on medical hold resolving his injury. This transition period gave him time to secure a civilian job and new housing. The advice he received from his military supervisor embodied the Wingman concept: taking care of your Airmen. Being a Wingman and using resilience tools became even more personal to Curry later in his career as he witnessed his military supervisor battle cancer and pass away five months after the initial diagnosis. Curry said his unit members came together to visit Tech. Sgt. James Taylor at the hospital and to provide him some comfort. Yet Taylor gave them comfort as well. "I have lived and done it all and I didn't leave anything on the table," Curry repeats what Taylor said during a memorable bedside conversation. "The only thing I'm going to miss is being with you guys." Those sentiments have stuck with Curry - who said in that moment of utterance. "Total Force" became real for him. The Reserve is more than just one weekend a month, said Curry. "It's family." "It wasn't until we were visiting Taylor that it hit me just how much my Reserve unit is my family as well." Curry says Taylor's words, spoken in the fringe of death, challenged him to reflect how they all were treating their family members and if they were truly taking advantage of the opportunities the Reserve provided. Could he and others say they have lived, done it all and have no regrets but that of leaving behind those they love? When the opportunity came to apply for a special duty assignment with Family Readiness, Curry jumped at the chance. It was upon his selection for the assignment and during his subsequent five-day training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., that Curry's story came out. Featured in, "My Wingman Story", a video on the Air Force Wingman Toolkit website at: http://www.wingmantoolkit.org/my-wingman-story-kevin-curry/, Curry further explains how both of these past events have given him a different level of understanding. He credits his experiences with his ability to have a higher level of compassion, particularly in the services he now provides to veterans as a counselor with the Veterans Affairs supporting a nationwide program called Support Services for Veterans. The program is designed to assist veterans in finding employment, preventing impending evictions and providing short-term housing to those who are homeless. "Whether they got in the situation through their own merit or not, the question on hand is how can you go forward and get through it?" said Curry.