Don't be a statistic...Think F.A.S.T.

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christopher Reel
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Tyndall's community police work with Balfour Beatty to host 2013's first Fear Adrenaline Stress Training class Jan. 19 at the Balfour Beatty Community Center.

Approximately 18 women, age 14-years-old and older, attended the class, which taught women how to defend themselves in fearful and stressful situations.

The women's class began with icebreakers to help make them aware of their personal space and their comfort zone.

The women learned basic techniques that will help them to deter someone breaching their personal space, such as unwanted sexual advances.

The instructors also taught the women how to position their stance, and how and where to keep their hands while keeping their situational bearings.

"It's important to keep your personal space from someone you are wary of," said Corporal Juan Diaz, F.A.S.T. lead instructor and 325th SFS civilian police officer. "When thrown into a stressful and fearful situation, you are either going to flee or fight. Some people tend to lock up, which isn't good. Other people tend to get loud and fight back, which isn't always good either. We teach women how to avoid both of these situations."

Assailants feed off their victim's fear; however, if women show confidence and speak assertively to the person, the assailant is more likely to leave you alone, explained Cpl. Diaz.

"After women learn the basics, the instructors, 325th SFS members, put the women in stressful scenarios and work with them on managing their fears and teaching them how to react and defend themselves if the situation gets physical," said Tech. Sgt. Clint Wright, 325th SFS NCO in charge of community police.

At the end of the class during their open discussion, the women explained that the best part of the program was walking away with the confidence and skills to defend themselves.

Tyndall's community police and Balfour Beatty host F.A.S.T. classes once a month. The next class will be for children, both boys and girls ages 5 to 13 years old. For more information about the class and to sign up, contact Balfour Beatty at (850) 286-1700.