“Make It Better” brings Airmen together

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ryan Brooks
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The numbing cold and perspiration weakens her finger grip while she adjusts her one good foothold. "Send it!" and "You can do it!" are some of the encouragements from fellow climbers 45 feet below. With a deep breath and diagonal stretch, she reaches a new hold, pulls herself up and exhales with a loud sigh of relief, grinning. She knows the hardest part of the route is over.



The group of rock climbers who gathered on Jan. 20, to conquer the crag, were four people who like to climb and wanted some company. They weren't a professional group of Air Force mountaineers and some of them met just a few weeks prior.



Climbs like this would’ve never happened without the “Make It Better” initiative. Nearly 40 groups on base bring Airmen together for fun and relaxation, and the number is growing.

“’Make It Better’ is a way for people to go out and find others with common interests and goals, and to get to know each other outside of the military," said Korrina Staunton, 31st Force Support Squadron Outdoor Recreation lead recreation aid and member of Aviano Rock Climbers. "It gives us something to connect over besides the job. I know a lot of people who first get to base and only hang out with the people they work with. If you join a 'Make It Better' club, you're meeting people who work all over and it doesn't matter where they work, just that they share that same passion as you."


The promotion of groups on base can build a thriving community in Aviano. "Being at an overseas base and getting into the base community is so important," said Julie-Rose Tedrick, co-founder of Improviano, a Make It Better improv club. "I'm more involved on base here than I have been anywhere else. To find a group where you're able to connect with people, while doing something fun with others who share your same life experience, is invaluable."



Staunton also said the communities you make in these groups encourage you to get out of your comfort zone.

"Before I joined Aviano Rock Climbers, I was intimidated to climb and I probably wouldn't have tried it on my own,” said Staunton. “However, being a part of this group has given me and my husband the confidence to go out and climb and interact with other climbers. I've even belayed for Italians I just met. You get to meet so many different people that you wouldn't have otherwise come across."

The "Make It Better" page on the Aviano website is a comprehensive list of groups with their descriptions and points of contact. If there isn’t an active group for the hobby you love, go to the page to find out how to start one.



"Starting a group can seem intimidating but I recommend that you go for it," said Tedrick. "Find one or two people who are interested and start it. There's someone else who is interested in doing what you want to do."

There are lots of ways to connect with others and find things to do. The "Make It Better" page connects Airmen and builds relationships that can last a lifetime.

"If you're interested in joining a group, just try it," said Staunton. "It may blossom into a hobby you truly love and even lifelong friendships.”

"Make It Better" website