SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Seth Miller emphasized one's response to a challenging situation determines the course of their future, and by taking deliberate steps to view the trial in a positive light, an individual can grow and thrive in adversity during his recent resilience presentation conducted at U.S. Transportation Command.
A 20-year career Airman assigned to the 375th Air Mobility Wing, also located here, as a Community Support superintendent, coordinating on- and off-base assistance that ensures and enhances unit morale, Sergeant Miller has used his own successes and failures in difficult times to help and encourage others to overcome life's curve balls, while serving as a certified Master Resilience Trainer since April 2017.
"It's not if a trial will occur, but when. Having the resilience to get through the current trying time will help you get through the next one. If I can do it, anyone can!" stated Master Sgt. Miller. "Individuals who believe in you and depend on you, helps make you resilient -- knowing you can get through the trial. It's okay -- you can make it. I'm living proof. It's how you respond to a situation that will determine the course of your future."
It was during the final days of an 18-month overseas tour at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sergeant Miller encountered an obstacle, which eventually resulted in his becoming a certified MRT. While out-processing, he required a signature from a squadron leader, and their face-to-face session went downhill from the start. Miller shared he had no previous contact with the individual, but the brief, negative encounter resulted in his 30-day delayed departure from Guam.
"Having a strong support system helped me persevere through the adversity in Guam. I, however, knew there was a reason for this particular trial," Master Sgt. Miller said. "I had to take deliberate steps to change the way I looked at this challenging situation."
A silver lining of that specific gray cloud involved Miller's subsequent assignment to Scott AFB in 2011.
He began his journey to help others overcome adversity six years ago after completing a three-day block of instruction from a local MRT to become a resilience training assistant (RTA). As an RTA, Miller assisted
certified MRTs by conducting up to four hours of resilience instruction. Soon thereafter, following a one-week in-length training also at Scott AFB, he attained the level of master resilience trainer. At this point, Sergeant Miller was now authorized to provide formal resilience training. In April 2017, he completed another week of courses at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, advancing to a certified MRT. As the 375 AMW's lead MRT, he manages the schedules of 50 other certified MRTs as they provide resilience training on base to those in and out of uniform.
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Miller has been no stranger to stress and anxiety since joining the military in 1998. During his initial three and a half years of wearing the blue uniform, he worked as a food services specialist and fitness instructor at Whiteman AFB, Missouri. He subsequently cross trained to the civil engineering career field as a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration specialist, and then transferred to McChord AFB (now Joint Base Lewis-McChord), Washington, for another three years. Following a 12-month, special duty assignment as an Airmen dorm leader at Osan Air Base, Republic of South Korea, he moved to Guam.
A U.S. Army initiative, resilience training focuses on enhancing the psychological health and resilience of military members, their families, and DoD civilians.
"If an individual is looking for a quick fix in getting through a trial or big (and small) adversity, you just have to ride it through," stated Master Sgt. Miller. "Resilience is a process, but with faith, a belief in yourself, and the support of family and friends, this too shall pass. I'm a testimony to that so far."
For more information, please contact Master Sgt. Miller at seth.miller.2@us.af.mil or check out www.realwarriors.net.
USTRANSCOM conducts globally-integrated mobility operations, leads the broader Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise, and provides enabling capabilities in order to project and sustain the Joint Force in support of national objectives.
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