Medical squadron adds social worker to its staff Published Feb. 23, 2007 By Senior Airman Ben Mota 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- "For every decision we make in life there is a benefit and a price." These are the professional words of wisdom Capt. Curtis Deloach, the new clinical social worker for the 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, uses to explain some of the things he deals with in his sessions. His main duties consist of performing evaluations for potential mental health and substance abuse issues among military personnel at Grissom. "I enjoy the interaction between the client and the therapist," said the captain with a smile. "But most important of all, I enjoy seeing the progress clients make when they receive my services." The captain uses his bag of tools to help military members develop long term thinking skills designed to correct problematic behaviors. He has been doing social work for 20 years and decided to join the Air Force Reserve Command at age 43 after receiving a letter requesting his services, he said. The letter expressed the military's need for social workers and asked him if he would like to join. "As a civilian social worker it was common for me to have clients who had been discharged from the military and were in need of social services," he said. "I thought that joining the Air Force would give me the opportunity to help those individuals cope with many of the issues experienced by military members before the problems occur." Although nervous about his decision to join the Air Force, his wife and three children support him, he said. "My wife believes in her heart that it was the right thing to do." "Having the resource of a social worker has already been beneficial for the members of the base," he said. "It's another way the Air Force can continue with what has clearly been the tradition of truly investing in and taking care of its members." Military members with issues such as divorce, substance abuse, and other stressful lifetime events can consult with him in a confidential manner. "People are afraid of what will happen if they come and see me, but most therapeutic issues do not affect an individual's ability to do their job or their ability to grow in rank," said Deloach. "Many problems tend to be one-session-worries." One-session-worries are problems that can usually be resolved with a short one-time-visit and some follow-up advice to ensure that his tools are working. He is excited about his career in the Air Force and looks forward to learning the customs and courtesies. "I still have a lot to learn, but I feel very strong about my future here at Grissom," he added.
