HAPPY FAMILY
NETWORK INTERNATIONAL
For
Family Health, Social Success and Maximum Happiness
The Commander
337 Base Services Group
Nigerian Air Force
PEACEFUL FAMILIES MAXIMISE
MORALE IN SERVICE
Sir,
The input of officers and men of NAF will benefit from my 35
years research on injecting optimum health, social success and maximum
happiness in each NAF family unit in the country. It is a non-religious NGO but
fully a scientific approach to pre-marital and post-nuptial counselling and
family therapy. This is my own little humanitarian contribution to the NAF
MEDICAL SERVICES 1976-1979 that made me what I am today; A FULL-TIME PRACTISING
EXISTENTIAL FAMILY THERAPIST.
My aim is to train out a group of serving personnel that will
transmit the knowledge to all bases from generation to generation. All lectures
and practicum are free-of-charge. However, the professional materials and all psychological
tests administered, scored, statistically computed, analysed and used in
face-to-face counselling sessions will be paid for.
Attached is the first proposal to CAS in 2012 -2013.
Dr J. K. Danmbaezue, (Rtd FLT LT JKD MBAEZUE, NAF
759)
Professor of Psychometrics & Consultant Clinical
Psychologist
PROPOSAL FOR THE FOUNDATION AND INAUGURATION OF
NAF FAMILY THERAPEUTIC SERVICES
To the Chief of Air Staff,
Air Marshall MD Umar, DSS psc fwc MSc DFS CFR
HEADQUARTERS
Nigerian Air Force
Ministry of Defence
Area 7, Garki
Sir,
THE NEED FOR VIABLE AND FUNCTIONAL THERAPEUTIC CLINICS FOR COMBAT
PILOTS AND THE WELFARE OF ALL NAF PERSONNEL
This submission is
in three parts so that your special assistants can make proper inputs in the
areas that they are more proficient and together produce a mature blueprint in
record time.
1.
An Overview of Psychological Problems Fighter Pilots Undergo
2.
Methodology for Institutionalising Effective Therapeutic Clinics
3.
Origins of this Proposal for NAF Family Therapeutic Services
Family Harmony is the Fulcrum of
Good Job Performance!
All over the world
the arm of the Armed Forces that generate the greatest fund of psychological
stressors, personality maladjustments and therefore family crises and other
individual ill health has been those who fight in the air. This innovative
unit is to pre-empt the difficulties that young trainee combat pilots go
through as novices as their inappropriate handling of these early psychoneurotic
maladjustments can mar and deter their optimum performance in the air and ancillary
efficient services for life! Combat Pilots need Psychological Balance and
Good Judgement for Optimum Performance and Service to NAF!
1. AN OVERVIEW OF PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS FIGHTER PILOTS
UNDERGO WORLDWIDE AND IN NIGERIAN AIR FORCE
General Introduction:
The author of
this Proposal to found and inaugurate a viable, efficient and effective family
health unit for social success and optimum
happiness in all the homes of NAF personnel was one of the foundation officers
of the NAF HOSPITAL in 1976 soon after the partitioning of the former ARMED
FORCES MEDICAL SERVICES prior to 1973. He was the earliest Trainee Pilots’
Evaluation Psychologist who devoted all his energies to establishing a
veritable assessment programme for the NAF FTG before he was sabotaged and
forced out of the NAF by a stooge that was impersonating as a Nigerian National
whereas he was actually a Ghanaian!
Naval and
Air Force Medicine
Naval
medical services are run on lines similar to those of the army. Junior medical
officers are attached to ships or to shore stations and deal with most cases of
sickness in their units. When at sea, medical officers have an exceptional
degree of responsibility in that they work alone, unless they are on a very
large ship. In peacetime, only the larger ships carry a medical officer; in
wartime, destroyers and other small craft may also carry medical officers.
Serious cases go to either a shore-based hospital or a hospital ship. Flying
has many medical repercussions. Cold, lack of oxygen, and changes of direction
at high speed all have important effects on bodily and mental functions. Armies
and air forces may share the same medical
services. A developing field is aerospace medicine. This involves medical
problems that were not experienced before spaceflight, for the main reason that
humans in space are not under the influence of gravity, a condition that has
profound physiological effects.- What is aerospace
medicine?
The 19th-century French physiologist Paul Bert is generally regarded as the father of modern aviation medicine. His classic observations of the effects of both high and low air pressure on balloonists were used extensively beginning in World War II and prompted a broad and vigorous program of research. In 1948 the first unit for space research in the world was established in the
Specialists in civil and military aerospace medicine establish and apply appropriate medical standards for the certification and selection of pilots and other flight personnel to assure that they have no physical limitations or medical conditions that could impair their performance. Physicians who are trained in aerospace medicine are known as flight surgeons. Aerospace medical specialists plan and help to carry out flight-crew training in first aid and in the prevention of illness and injuries among passengers; they also assist in training paramedical personnel in the aerial transportation of patients. Such specialists also apply the principles of preventive medicine to avert the spread of disease by air travel. In addition, they conduct post flight medical evaluations of astronauts to identify any adverse effects of space flight on the body. During space flight, they monitor physiologic responses of astronauts and advise them on the management of in-flight medical problems. Beyond the scope of clinical medicine, they often help to develop the vehicles, emergency systems and protective equipment for manned aerospace flight.
Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica 2009
·
What is Stress?
Stress in
psychology and biology is any strain or interference that disturbs the
functioning of an organism. The human being responds to physical and
psychological stress with a combination of psychic and physiological defences.
If the stress is too powerful, or the defences inadequate, a psychosomatic or
other mental disorder may result.Stress is an unavoidable effect of living and is an especially complex phenomenon in modern technological society. There is little doubt that an individual's success or failure in controlling potentially stressful situations can have a profound effect on his ability to function. The ability to “cope” with stress has figured prominently in psychosomatic research.
Researchers have reported a statistical link between coronary heart disease and individuals exhibiting stressful behavioural patterns designated “Type A.” These patterns are reflected in a style of life characterized by impatience and a sense of time urgency, hard-driving competitiveness and preoccupation with vocational and related deadlines.
Various strategies have been successful in treating psychological and physiological stress. Moderate stress may be relieved by exercise and any type of meditation (e.g., yoga or Oriental meditative forms). Severe stress may require psychotherapy to uncover and work through the underlying causes. A form of behaviour therapy known as biofeedback enables the patient to become more aware of internal processes and thereby gain some control over bodily reactions to stress. Sometimes, a change of environment or living situation may produce therapeutic results.
·
What is Biofeedback?
It is information supplied
instantaneously about an individual's own physiological processes. Data
concerning a person's cardiovascular activity (blood pressure and heart rate),
temperature, brain waves or muscle tension is monitored electronically and
returned, or “fed back”, to that person by a gauge on a meter, a light, or a
sound. Though such activity of the autonomic nervous system was once thought to
be beyond an individual's control, it has been shown that an individual can be
taught to use the biological data to learn how to voluntarily control the body's
reactions to stress or “outside-the-skin” events. An individual learns through
biofeedback training to detect his physical reactions (inside-the-skin events)
and establish control over them.Biofeedback training is a type of behaviour therapy that attempts to change learned responses to stressors. It can be very successful in alleviating symptoms (e.g., pain and muscle tension) of a disorder, and its effects can be especially lasting if used in combination with psychotherapy to help the patient understand his reactions to stress.
Complaints that have been treated by biofeedback training include migraine headaches, gastrointestinal cramping (e.g., colitis), high blood pressure, tics, and the frequency and severity of epileptic seizures. Theoretically, many psychologists believe it possible to bring under partial control any physiological process that can be continuously monitored and displayed, including electrophysiological activity of the limbic system and other homeostatic processes.
Biofeedback training with brain waves has also been useful in enhancing mental functioning. “Alpha (wave) training” elicits the calming and integrative effects of meditation. Theta wave training has led to more focused attention, the control of “mental blocks” during examinations and the control of anxiety.
·
What is Anxiety?
The fourth edition of
the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a handbook for
mental health professionals, describes a variety of anxiety disorders. These
include generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive
disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. People with generalized anxiety disorder feel anxious most of the time. They worry excessively about routine events or circumstances in their lives. Their worries often relate to finances, family, personal health and relationships with others. Although they recognize their anxiety as irrational or out of proportion to actual events, they feel unable to control their worrying. For example, they may worry uncontrollably and intensely about money despite evidence that their financial situation is stable. Children with this disorder typically worry about their performance at school or about catastrophic events, such as tornadoes, earthquakes and nuclear war.
People with generalized anxiety disorder often find that their worries interfere with their ability to function at work or concentrate on tasks. This is common among our pilots. Physical symptoms, such as disturbed sleep, irritability, muscle aches and tension, may accompany the anxiety. To receive a diagnosis of this disorder, individuals must have experienced its symptoms for at least six months.
Generalized anxiety disorder affects about 3 percent of people in the general population in any given year. From 55 to 66 percent of people with this disorder are female. A phobia is an excessive, enduring fear of clearly defined objects or situations that interferes with a person’s normal functioning. Although they know their fear is irrational, people with phobias always try to avoid the source of their fear. Common phobias include fear of heights (acrophobia), fear of enclosed places (claustrophobia), fear of insects, snakes, or other animals and fear of air travel. Social phobias involve a fear of performing, of critical evaluation or of being embarrassed in front of other people.
Panic is an intense, overpowering surge of fear. People with panic disorder experience panic attacks—periods of quickly escalating, intense fear and discomfort accompanied by such physical symptoms as rapid heartbeat, trembling, shortness of breath, dizziness and nausea. Because people with this disorder cannot predict when these attacks will strike, they develop anxiety about having additional panic attacks and may limit their activities outside the home.
In obsessive-compulsive disorder, people persistently experience certain intrusive thoughts or images (obsessions) or feel compelled to perform certain behaviours (compulsions). Obsessions may include unwanted thoughts about inadvertently poisoning others or injuring a pedestrian while driving. Common compulsions include repetitive hand washing or such mental acts as repeated counting. People with this disorder often perform compulsions to reduce the anxiety produced by their obsessions. The obsessions and compulsions significantly interfere with their ability to function and may consume a great deal of time.
Post-traumatic stress disorder sometimes occurs after people experience traumatic or catastrophic events, such as physical or sexual assaults, natural disasters, accidents and wars. People with this disorder relive the traumatic event through recurrent dreams or intrusive memories called flashbacks. They avoid things or places associated with the trauma and may feel emotionally detached or estranged from others. Other symptoms may include difficulty sleeping, irritability and trouble concentrating.
Most anxiety disorders do not have an obvious cause. They result from a combination of biological, psychological and social factors. Among our inexperienced trainee pilots it is the commonest ill health due to flying problems that they often cover up to avoid being dismissed from the training programme!
Studies suggest that anxiety disorders run in families. That is, children and close relatives of people with disorders are more likely than most to develop anxiety disorders. Some people may inherit genes that make them particularly vulnerable to anxiety. These genes do not necessarily cause people to be anxious, but the genes may increase the risk of anxiety disorders when certain psychological and social factors are also present.
Anxiety also appears to be related to certain brain functions. Chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters enable neurons, or brain cells, to communicate with each other. One neurotransmitter, gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), appears to play a role in regulating one’s level of anxiety. Lower levels of GABA are associated with higher levels of anxiety. Some studies suggest that the neurotransmitters nor-epinephrine and serotonin play a role in panic disorder.
Psychologists have proposed a variety of models to explain anxiety. Austrian psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud suggested that anxiety results from internal, unconscious conflicts. He believed that a person’s mind represses wishes and fantasies about which the person feels uncomfortable. This repression, Freud believed, results in anxiety disorders, which he called neuroses.
More recently, behavioural researchers have challenged Freud’s model of anxiety. They believe one’s anxiety level relates to how much a person believes events can be predicted or controlled. Children who have little control over events, perhaps because of overprotective parents, may have little confidence in their ability to handle problems as adults. This lack of confidence can lead to increased anxiety.
Behavioural theorists also believe that children may learn anxiety from a role model, such as a parent. By observing their parent’s anxious response to difficult situations, the child may learn a similar anxious response. A child may also learn anxiety as a conditioned response. For example, an infant often startled by a loud noise while playing with a toy may become anxious just at the sight of the toy. Some experts suggest that people with a high level of anxiety misinterpret normal events as threatening. For instance, they may believe their rapid heartbeat indicates they are experiencing a panic attack when in reality it may be the result of exercise.
While some people may be biologically and psychologically predisposed to feel anxious, most anxiety is triggered by social factors. Many people feel anxious in response to stress, such as a divorce, starting a new job or moving to a new place of residence. Also, how a person expresses anxiety appears to be shaped by social factors. For example, many cultures accept the expression of anxiety and emotion in women, but expect more reserved emotional displays from men.
Mental health professionals use a variety of methods to help people overcome anxiety disorders. These include psychoactive drugs and psychotherapy, particularly behaviour therapy. Other techniques, such as exercise, hypnosis, meditation and biofeedback, may also prove helpful.
Psychiatrists often prescribe benzodiazepines, a group of tranquilizing drugs, to reduce anxiety in people with high levels of anxiety. Benzodiazepines help to reduce anxiety by stimulating the GABA neurotransmitter system. Common benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepam (Valium). Two classes of antidepressant drugs—tricyclics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—also have proven effective in treating certain anxiety disorders.
Benzodiazepines can work quickly with few unpleasant side effects, but they can also be addictive. In addition, benzodiazepines can slow down or impair motor behaviour or thinking and must be used with caution, particularly in immature pilots without experience or commonly among elderly persons. SSRIs take longer to work than the benzodiazepines but are not addictive. Some people experience anxiety symptoms again when they stop taking the medications.
Therapists who attribute the cause of anxiety to unconscious, internal conflicts may use psychoanalysis to help people understand and resolve their conflicts. Other types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, have proven effective in treating anxiety disorders. In cognitive-behavioural therapy, the therapist often educates the person about the nature of his or her particular anxiety disorder. Then, the therapist may help the person challenge irrational thoughts that lead to anxiety. For example, to treat a person with a snake phobia, a therapist might gradually expose the person to snakes, beginning with pictures of snakes and progressing to rubber snakes and real snakes. The patient can use relaxation techniques acquired in therapy to overcome the fear of snakes.
Research has shown psychotherapy to be as effective as or more effective than medications in treating many anxiety disorders. Psychotherapy may also provide more lasting benefits than medications when patients discontinue treatment.
·
What is Depression?
Depression
in medical psychology is any mental
illness in which a person experiences deep, unshakable sadness and
diminished interest in nearly all activities. People also use the term depression to describe
the temporary sadness, loneliness or blues that everyone feels from time to
time. In contrast to normal sadness, severe depression, also called major depression, can
dramatically impair a person’s ability to function in social situations and at
work. People with major depression often have feelings of despair, hopelessness
and worthlessness, as well as thoughts of committing suicide. This variant
can cost of lives and properties of any institution especially precious pilot officers
and costly aircrafts of the NAF!
Simply put, in a
layman’s language, it is the OPPOSITE of anxiety!
Depression is one of the
most common mental illnesses. At least 8 percent of adults worldwide experience
serious depression at some point during their lives, and estimates range as
high as 17 percent. We have no statistics for developing countries in Africa . The illness affects all people, regardless
of sex, race, ethnicity or socioeconomic standing. However, women are two to
three times more likely than men to suffer from depression. Experts disagree on
the reason for this difference. Some cite differences in hormones and others
point to the stress caused by society’s expectations of women. Although it may appear
anytime from childhood to old age, depression usually begins during a person’s
20s or 30s. The illness may come on slowly, then deepen gradually over months
or years. On the other hand, it may erupt suddenly in a few weeks or days. This
is more common for our young pilots starting training. A person who develops
severe depression may appear so confused, frightened and unbalanced that
observers speak of a “nervous breakdown”. However it begins, depression
causes serious changes in a person’s feelings and outlook. A person with major
depression feels sad nearly every day and may cry often. People, work and
activities that used to bring them pleasure no longer do.
Symptoms of depression
can vary by age. In younger children, depression may include physical
complaints, such as stomach-aches and headaches, as well as irritability,
“moping around”, social withdrawal, and changes in eating habits. They may feel
unenthusiastic about school and other activities. In adolescents, common
symptoms include sad mood, sleep disturbances and lack of energy. This is the
version common among our young combat pilots during their initial training
sessions. Elderly people with depression usually complain of physical
rather than emotional problems, which sometimes lead doctors to misdiagnose the
illness. Symptoms of depression can also vary by culture. In some
cultures, depressed people may not experience sadness or guilt but may complain
of physical problems. In Mediterranean cultures, for example, depressed people
may complain of headaches or nerves. In Asian cultures they may complain of
weakness, fatigue or imbalance. If left untreated, an episode of
major depression typically lasts eight or nine months. About 85 percent of
people who experience one bout of depression will experience future episodes. Appetite and Sleep Changes Depression usually alters a person’s appetite, sometimes increasing it, but usually reducing it. Sleep habits often change as well. People with depression may oversleep or, more commonly, sleep for fewer hours. A depressed person might go to sleep at
Changes in Energy Level Depression is known to change one’s energy level. Some depressed people may be restless and agitated, engaging in fidgety movements and pacing. Others may feel sluggish and inactive, experiencing great fatigue, lack of energy, and a feeling of being worn out or carrying a heavy burden. Depressed people may also have difficulty thinking, poor concentration and problems with memory.
Poor Self-Esteem People with depression often experience feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, guilt, and self-blame. They may interpret a minor failing on their part as a sign of incompetence or interpret minor criticism as condemnation. Some depressed people complain of being spiritually or morally dead. The mirror seems to reflect someone ugly and repulsive. Even a competent and decent person may feel deficient, cruel, stupid, phoney or guilty of having deceived others. People with major depression may experience such extreme emotional pain that they consider or attempt suicide. At least 15 percent of seriously depressed people commit suicide, and many more attempt it.
Psychotic Symptoms In some cases, people with depression may experience psychotic symptoms, such as delusions (false beliefs) and hallucinations (false sensory perceptions). Psychotic symptoms indicate an especially severe illness. Compared to other depressed people, those with psychotic symptoms have longer hospital stays, and after leaving, they are more likely to be moody and unhappy. They are also more likely to commit suicide.
Depression typically cannot be shaken or willed away. An episode must therefore run its course until it weakens either on its own or with treatment. Depression can be treated effectively with antidepressant drugs, psychotherapy or a combination of both. Despite the availability of effective treatment, most depressive disorders go untreated and undiagnosed. Studies indicate that general physicians fail to recognize depression in their patients at least half of the time. In addition, many doctors and patients view depression in elderly people as a normal part of aging, even though treatment for depression in older people is usually very effective.
These medications appear to work by altering the levels of serotonin, nor- epinephrine, and other neurotransmitters in the brain. They generally take at least two to three weeks to become effective. Doctors cannot predict which type of antidepressant drug will work best for any particular person, so depressed people may need to try several types. Antidepressant drugs are not addictive, but they may produce unwanted side effects. To avoid relapse, people usually must continue taking the medication for several months after their symptoms improve. Commonly used antidepressant drugs fall into three major classes: tricyclics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Tricyclics, named for their three-ring chemical structure, include amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofanil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), and nortriptyline (Pamelor). Side effects of tricyclics may include drowsiness, dizziness upon standing, blurred vision, nausea, insomnia, constipation, and dry mouth.
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
We must stop here and
permit the experts to treat our combat pilots and any members of their families
that might be suffering from any of these variants of collateral damages due to
the stressful life of every fighter pilot worldwide. All the above –listed
symptoms are what our NAF personnel pass through which this NAF FAMILY
THERAPEUTIC SERVICES will provide optimum solutions to!
2. METHODOLOGY FOR INSTITUTIONALISING EFFECTIVE
THERAPEUTIC CLINICS AT NAF BASES NATIONWIDE
For
the authors of this proposal, HEALTH in human beings is the extent of the well-being
of NAF personnel and members of their families in achieving optimum physical,
emotional, mental and social ability to cope within the work and home
environment. The standard medical centres we have as of now provide for only
one aspect of health! Health has three departments but often the generality of
doctors and patients overemphasise physical health to the detriment of
psychological and social health. This is a remedial service and so needs immediate implementation strategies.
Most
young pilots enlisting into the NAF are bachelors on arrival. For the next 35
years that they will serve the nation, their proper development, marital
success and balanced lifestyles will determine to a greater extent their good
performance in the air, on the land and in their homes! This the tripartite
reasons for establishing NAF FAMILY THERAPEUTIC CLINICS. Therefore, every base in
the nation should have a room or two carved out from the existing medical
centres which will be equipped with the minimal clinical needs of a Clinical
Psychologist, a Medical Sociologist, an Experienced Matron or Nursing Sister
and five other health personnel for a start!
To
cut down on expenses, selection of officers and men already in service and some
ex-service who are willing and able to render marriage guidance and family
counselling instructions to family members of Air Force Bases nearest to their
residences will form the foundation team for the gradual take-off of a
full-fledged therapeutic clinic in the nearest future. Weekly lectures to all
who request or are interested in learning how to be their wards marriage
counsellors will be a good starting point of the future schools for this
innovative family clinic.
So
as not to force the NAF as a whole to enter into financial difficulties, the initial
reading texts, psychological tests, scales, inventories and lecture handouts
are already in a printed format. What CAS needs to do is to offset the cost
printing these materials and become a partner in their ownership so they can be
distributed at minimal costs to service personnel that need them most! Other
infrastructure will develop gradually as the programme matures nationwide!
I leave this space for
those experts in logistics, planning and execution of NAF projects. Medical
officers are not experts in this area. So, CAS to take the decision!
The Genesis of this Proposal was A Welcome Visit to the Commander, NAF
Base, Enugu
The materialisation of this unit will
be owed to AIR CDRE JB GBAMWUON, The Initiator.
Dr J. K. Danmbaezue, D.Sc. in Psychometrics
Medical Director & Animator International,
KENEZ HEALTH KLINIK / HAPPY FAMILY NETWORK,
C82 5 Church Street
Trans-Ekulu, Enugu ENUGU STATE NIGERIA
Fmr: Flt Lt J. K. D. Mbaezue, NAF 759,
(rtd)
Trainee Pilots’ Evaluation Psychologist
NAF HOSPITAL KANO KADUNA
3. ORIGINS OF THIS PROPOSAL
FOR NAF FAMILY THERAPEUTIC SERVICES
NIGERIAN AIR FORCE FAMILY WELFARE SERVICES
Family
Counselling & Behaviour Therapy for NAF Personnel
*FG OFFR LADOYE MEMORIAL
CLINICS*
NEED FOR
TREATING/PREVENTING PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS
The toughest
part of the life of any combat pilot worldwide is the initial flight sessions
before one is given the badge. A lot of stressors mar the smooth transition
from a civilian to a capable, resilient,
effective and efficient combat pilot who is ready at all times 24/7. Personality
disorders is a group name given to the greatest ill-health of this group of NAF
personnel as their ability to cope with stressors during this initial training
period is immature. They need a proficient psychologist to help ease their
stage fright, confusion when in flight and jittery nervousness while on their
training missions. They may seem emotionally numb, detached, irritable and
easily startled because of their new risk taking activities they can never shy
away from! Other symptoms include trouble concentrating, depression and sleep
difficulties. Youthful officers of this type may have unpredictable, angry
outbursts at family members, professional colleagues in the training programme
and even dislike their trainers. At other times, they may seem to have no
affection for their loved ones. Some people try to mask their symptoms by
abusing alcohol or drugs. Others work very long hours to prevent any “down”
periods or over-indulge in sex or video films as they presume these might
relieve them of stressors in their environment. They are wrong. They need
guidance. They need experts in behaviour modification!
ORIGINS OF THIS FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES
There was a horrific
crash of MIG 15 Russian Supersonic Air Force plane early in 1978 that damaged
and charred buildings and medical equipment in the newly established NAF HOSPITAL Kano 12 noon .
On Saturday morning
when he was informed of the crash, he quickly sped off to the hospital
premises. He could not believe his luck! Not a single syringe, not even a
safety pin escaped the inferno that left a debris unrecognisable at his erstwhile
office. Some of his obsolete academic and association membership certificates
went up in the flames. That never bordered him. But this was the hallmark of a
turning point in his clinical career.
The emotional
balance of all Trainee Pilots had been neglected. No one was to be blamed. The
FLYING TRAINING GROUP was barely five
years old at the time! It was rumoured by his close associates that Fg Offr
Ladoye was passing through a severe emotional crisis at the time, not
unconnected with a lady he was dating at the time. “The crash could have
been a suicide”, was another rumour making the rounds. This author reminisced
over the issue since he could have been one of the collateral damages besides
the Russian Trainer, the roof of a patients’ ward and both the Psychologist’s
and Physiotherapist’s offices that were torn apart. If the trend of thought and
rumours were true, he argued, then this was a preventable crash if the medical
services included counselling for all personnel of the unit especially trainee
pilots, he opined! When his theory was rubbished as puerile, he resolved to
demystify the consequences of not administering pre-flight psychological tests
on trainee pilots before and after each training session to ascertain that they
possess healthy reflexes and mental balance required of fighter pilots. He
concluded that he needed a postgraduate training in that area, whether his
bosses accepted his theory or not. He kept his resolution to himself, bidding
his time/calculating the best time to set it in motion!
Squadron Leader
Plumptre, his OC at the material time egged him on to resign if he wanted to go
for a postgraduate training on the issue. He had a Ph.D. scholarship from Anambra State
FAMILY HARMONY COMES BEFORE GOOD JOB PERFORMANCE
I studied for 25
years and practised for another 10 before writing this long story. Many
problems can be nipped in the bud if our senior officers paid attention to the
love relationships between the personnel or couples serving them. I developed
more than 12 psychometric tests during my long leave of absence. See my
website; www.happyfamilynetwork.hpage.com for some of the relevant topics that might
urge you to put this stratagem in the blueprint for the dear officers and
precious fighter pilots of our cherished NIGERIAN AIR FORCE, I am available to
train out a work force for this service. May I stop at this juncture.
Yours in the National Service of Nigeria
JideofoKenecukwuDanmbaezue @ 11/5/2012 7:23:11 HRS GMT
Dr J. K. Danmbaezue, an upgrade of Flt Lt J. K. D. Mbaezue,
NAF 759 (rtd.)
Check
out these professional profiles if you desire more up to date facts and
figures:
- https://profiles.google.com/100752842609304318747
- http://ng.linkedin.com/pub/dr-j-kenechukwu-danmbaezue/51/393/591
No comments:
Post a Comment