Posted on Jun 29, 2015
She will be missed, what more can you do for your troops to help them? when they need it
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this is my part of the story there was a lot of people involved this is how quickly military training for Suicide prevention took hold
Last week a friend of mine took her own life. i'm Stationed in RAF Lakenheath, UK and Jess lived in VA. On my side of this story just moments after she posted up her suicide note. i felt helpless because i couldn't do much let alone anything. the only thing i could do was help get a hold of people so the police could be called. And collect the information to pass up to the leaders of SPARTA on status the best i could since it was morning already where i was it made it easier from one source. around 54+ people called the police from different parts of the US. California, Indiana, Virginia Etc. calls made by people Jess Touched & helped out one way or another. people from great distances came together to help someone they love. i am proud of my family of how we came together. Sadly is was under these conditions. My family Jess Shipps, Loren Sieg, Patricia King, SPARTA im proud to be with you
We as military members are trained with all sorts of skills. Infantry, defender, maintainer, Etc. we are always under lots of stress from work & from home. we all look out for each other we are family. talk to your troops see how they are. get them the ear they need to. we dont need another death. what do you do for your troop to make sure they are ok?
http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/2015/06/29/transgender-troops-mourn-advocate-jess-shipps/29464321/
Last week a friend of mine took her own life. i'm Stationed in RAF Lakenheath, UK and Jess lived in VA. On my side of this story just moments after she posted up her suicide note. i felt helpless because i couldn't do much let alone anything. the only thing i could do was help get a hold of people so the police could be called. And collect the information to pass up to the leaders of SPARTA on status the best i could since it was morning already where i was it made it easier from one source. around 54+ people called the police from different parts of the US. California, Indiana, Virginia Etc. calls made by people Jess Touched & helped out one way or another. people from great distances came together to help someone they love. i am proud of my family of how we came together. Sadly is was under these conditions. My family Jess Shipps, Loren Sieg, Patricia King, SPARTA im proud to be with you
We as military members are trained with all sorts of skills. Infantry, defender, maintainer, Etc. we are always under lots of stress from work & from home. we all look out for each other we are family. talk to your troops see how they are. get them the ear they need to. we dont need another death. what do you do for your troop to make sure they are ok?
http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/2015/06/29/transgender-troops-mourn-advocate-jess-shipps/29464321/
Transgender
Suicide
Military Family
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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Tragic story. We just never know the struggles that others have to endure.
It is as simple as take a moment to look out over screens, smartphones, monitors, and simply ask "Hey! How are you today?" and really mean it. AND pay attention to the replies. Not just going auto-pilot with "yeah, yeah, great to hear..." and move on towards your task list. When you know your troops, you know the slightest nuances that seem a bit "off". Engage and invest.
It is as simple as take a moment to look out over screens, smartphones, monitors, and simply ask "Hey! How are you today?" and really mean it. AND pay attention to the replies. Not just going auto-pilot with "yeah, yeah, great to hear..." and move on towards your task list. When you know your troops, you know the slightest nuances that seem a bit "off". Engage and invest.
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SSgt (Join to see)
in my short time ma'am im consistently engaging my airman even my supervisors about how is their life and making sure they are ok. something that some great mentors in my career has passed on to me and now its my turn to pass it on to someone else
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CMSgt (Join to see)
SSgt (Join to see) -
Keep on paying it forward. That is what we are meant to do as good leaders. We learn from the good (and sometimes the bad), we apply it when necessary to our protégés.
I have been doing it for 24 years. It never ever gets old when you get an email/you get a promotion invite/a random person passes on news that one of your Airmen/troops has hit a milestone and thanks you for it. I will still tear up shamelessly when it happens. And if you do it right, you get to experience it much more than once. Priceless. :)
Keep on paying it forward. That is what we are meant to do as good leaders. We learn from the good (and sometimes the bad), we apply it when necessary to our protégés.
I have been doing it for 24 years. It never ever gets old when you get an email/you get a promotion invite/a random person passes on news that one of your Airmen/troops has hit a milestone and thanks you for it. I will still tear up shamelessly when it happens. And if you do it right, you get to experience it much more than once. Priceless. :)
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For those who knew Jessie Shipps our lives have been forever improved by her presence, and forever touched by her loss. There is absolutely so much hurt in this world. The sense of desperation someone feels to make such an ultimate decision is unfathomable unless you have been there yourself. We must do what we can to be there for our allies in need in the hopes that we will see fewer people feel as desperate as Jess did.
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SSgt (Join to see)
SSG Patricia King Well said that day was tough for all of us glad we have each other
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IT is always sad to see any member lose their life at their own hands. It is often those who help others the most that hurt the most themselves.
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