MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Burnout doesn’t discriminate. That’s why the Air Force Medical Service asked two noncommissioned officers from the Eaker Center for Professional Development here, to lead a virtual panel on the topic July 24, 2025, reaching airmen across ranks and medical specialties.
Tech. Sgts. Kathleen McConnell and Brianna Benko, instructors for the Master Resilience Trainer course at the Eaker Center, shared practical strategies during the event, which drew participation from at least 77 direct logins, with many clinics tuning in as groups.
“Burnout can impact anyone, regardless of age or rank,” McConnell said. “In the medical field, we deal with compassion fatigue and caretaker fatigue. The operational tempo, long hours, and limited recovery time make endurance and recovery skillsets essential.”
Benko agreed, noting what stood out most during the discussion was how many participants understood the concept of burnout but felt uncertain about how to navigate it.
“People struggle to work through or recover from burnout symptoms,” Benko said. “The resilience skills we teach as MRTs lay the foundation for building a sustainable practice and preventing people from reaching that breaking point.”
The panel was part of a broader professional development series hosted by the Air Force Medical Service. McConnell and Benko highlighted the psychological underpinnings of burnout and its progression through 12 distinct stages. More importantly, they offered actionable tools grounded in positive psychology and mindfulness.
Among the tools emphasized were:
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Gratitude practice: “It’s not just about being thankful,” McConnell explained. “It’s about finding meaning and reflecting on one to three good things, identifying what made them meaningful, and reinforcing positive emotion through repetition,” said McConnell.
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Values-based goal setting: Participants were encouraged to reflect on their personal values rather than simply pursuing external validation like rank or accolades. “When we chase goals misaligned with our values, we burn out faster,” McConnell said.
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Mindfulness in the moment: Rather than framing mindfulness as a retreat or ritual, McConnell described it as a tactical response. “When you’re overwhelmed, stop and take three deep breaths. Ask yourself, ‘What’s important right now?’ That moment of grounding helps people move forward with purpose,” said McConnell.
Benko added that one practical tool she personally uses is staying in touch with her “non-negotiables.”
“If I’m aware of what my non-negotiables are; the things that matter most to me and align with my values. I’m more likely to make them a consistent part of my routine,” she said. “That helps prevent burnout from escalating in my life.”
When asked about misconceptions, Benko emphasized that burnout in the military isn’t inevitable. “The biggest misconception is that burnout is unavoidable because of the nature of the profession of arms,” she said.
McConnell noted that subtle personality changes are often the first warning signs of burnout. “Maybe your extrovert stops showing up, or your introvert withdraws even more. It’s important that supervisors and teammates really know their people.”
When burnout is identified, recovery depends on both internal insight and external support. McConnell encouraged Airmen to revisit the basics of self-care and lean into helping agencies.
“Our chaplains are a huge asset. Sometimes just 20 minutes with one of them can give someone a sense of clarity,” she said. She also praised the Military and Family Life Counselors, embedded mental health clinicians, and Operational Support Teams that bring psychologists, physical therapists and trainers directly into units.
The MRT cadre also serve a vital role in bridging the gap between the helping agencies, and airmen. Certified by the Eaker Center, MRTs are trained to deliver eight core resilience skills through peer-to-peer support and psychological triage.
“We’re here to ease the burden on mental health clinics and offer tools people can use right away,” McConnell said. “Sometimes, all it takes is one skill, one mindset shift, to help someone find their way back, or discover a better version of themselves.”
McConnell continues to serve as a readiness NCO assigned to the Resilience Division at the Eaker Center. Since the panel, Benko has moved on to serve as the executive officer to the Air University Command Chief. Together, they helped certify nearly 400 new Master Resilience Trainers each year.
“This is a volunteer lifestyle,” McConnell said. “We signed up for service before self but not service despite self. We need to take care of our people so they can continue to take care of the mission.”