Desktop icon gives Airmen, cadets, families easy access to helping agencies

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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  A desktop icon installed on desktop computers here in March provides easy access to helping agencies such as the Airman and Family Readiness Center, mental health and Military One Source.

The desktop icon links to a website that lists what helping agencies are available for cadets, cadet candidates, active-duty Airmen and civilian personnel, Academy Vice Superintendent Col. Kevin Lamberth said.

"Caring for one another is a fundamental part of how we do business at the Air Force Academy," Lamberth said. "As simple as it is, this helping agencies icon is meant to help us do just that."

Lamberth said he hopes the icon will help raise visibility of the agencies available to Air Force Academy cadets and employees.

"This is about the wellbeing of our cadets, our Airmen and our families," he said. "This icon will aid our situational awareness and help us make sure our team members have access to the right resources at the right time."

The icon consists of a hand reaching out to help another with a blue cross in the background. Surrounding that imagery is a red ring in which the words "mental," "social," "spiritual" and "physical" appear, representing the pillars of the Air Force's Comprehensive Airman Fitness program.

"Taking care of cadets, Airmen and families is our priority here at the Air Force Academy," said Col. Troy Dunn, the 10th Air Base Wing commander. "The helping agencies icon is a one-stop shop for information on myriad services available to everyone who is part of our Academy family."

Users who double click the icon will be prompted to select a category that best identifies their status: active-duty Airman, cadet, cadet candidate, and so on, said Scott Andrews, director of the Academy's Community Action Information Board. After they select a category, the application will present them with a brief description of local helping agencies they can access as well as other Defense Department resources available to them.

Users can also receive information on how to display this icon on their mobile devices.

(Former staff writer Don Branum wrote this report)