HRDC is Working for You Published Jan. 11, 2013 By Senior Airman Wesley Wright 442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Tears welling up in the eyes of a grateful mother, a quaver in the voice of a battle-hardened veteran, the look of appreciation in a needy Airman's eyes - these may seem like random elements, but they all share one thing in common, HRDC can bring them out. The 442nd Human Resources Development Council provides senior leadership and wing commanders with recommendations and advice on all matters pertaining to human resources throughout the wing. HRDC is composed of three subcommittees - resilience, retention/recognition and outreach, all of which work together in the overall picture of giving back to the community and boosting morale. Retention Master Sgt. Ann Brault, 442nd Fighter Wing career advisor, is in charge of the retention subcommittee here. Brault's committee focuses on retaining qualified and productive reservists. "Retention is very important," she said. "We solicit feedback on areas of improvement in Airmen's lives, so we can keep that experience and continuity here. It is important to keep our Airmen happy." Recognition of outstanding performers is also a key point to keeping quality reservists in the wing, Brault said. Recognition highlights personal achievements, which can motivate others to excel. Resiliency While retention focuses on retaining and recognizing Airmen, Master Sgt. Nicole Adams, Airman and Family Readiness noncommissioned officer in charge, said her committee, resiliency, focuses on helping Airmen face challenges. "We try to get people to be stronger," she said. "It's about bouncing back and having that positive mental and physical state." Through supporting programs such as the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, and helping Airmen with issues like nutrition and finance, Adams said, HRDC is able to help reservists and families when times get tough. "Knowing they are supported, before, during and after deployments is important," Adams said. "If they know there is a community here they can rely on, it can make them stronger and more focused on what they do." Outreach Retaining and building resiliency in reservists is only part of the picture -- HRDC also reaches out to the base and community at large. Tech. Sgt. Danielle Johnston, NCOIC of the 442nd Public Affairs office, is head of the outreach subcommittee. Johnston said the outreach committee is focused on community service, and local involvement in events that improve base morale and uphold the Air Force's commitment to core values. "We worked with Operation Homefront last May to put on a baby shower for military families," she said. "We also do community service projects. We are trying to reach out to the community and show them the base is here to provide a service and to thank others for supporting our Airmen." Any Airman can get involved in HRDC, Johnston said. "We are always looking for new members who are interested in helping the community and getting involved in the wing," she said. "We want people who genuinely want to improve morale in the wing and help the community." Interested Airmen, regardless of rank, can attend HRDC meetings at noon in the wing conference room, each Sunday of unit training assembly weekends. You may contact Johnston at 660-687-3842 or Adams at 660-687-3530 for more information. HRDC meeting information for Jan. 12 is as follows: Council meeting: 1 p.m. wing conference room Wright Flight meeting: 2 p.m. WCR Retention subcommittee meeting: Noon at mission support group conference room Outreach subcommittee: Noon at PA office Resiliency subcommittee: Noon at Airman and Family Readiness office (newcomer's building)