HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Hill Air Force Base is hosting a training class this week for personnel from across Air Force Materiel Command as part of the rollout of a new command‑wide peer support program.
The class, held March 9-12, will train staff to establish the program at their home installations. AFMC is implementing the Peer Support Volunteer program as an enterprise strategy, building on efforts that have taken shape at multiple bases across the command.
The original program at Hill AFB began training its first volunteers in 2021, said Dave Haltom, Hill AFB Prevention Coordination Specialist. The training was based on U.S. Surgeon General guidance that close relationships with peers are a key protective factor against suicide.
“The goal was to create a workplace culture that prioritizes employee well-being, help-seeking, and connectedness,” Haltom said.
An early survey confirmed the program’s impact, showing that of the hundreds of volunteers trained, many used their skills to provide direct support and connect peers to professional helping agencies. Based on that success, AFMC decided to create a standardized, command-wide strategy in 2023, adopting Hill’s "Peer Support Volunteer" title for the new program, Haltom said.
The command-wide strategy adds a four-hour block of instruction to existing Suicide Prevention Training. The course teaches volunteers how to act as embedded supporters, understand legal protections, and learn about the vast array of local helping agencies.
Since Hill began offering the advanced course in 2024, the results have been profound.
"The most significant number is the referrals," Haltom said. "Of the 108 volunteers who have taken the new four-hour course, they have already made 80 direct referrals to helping agencies as of this February. That’s 80 people who were connected to professional resources."
The program is also gaining traction with leadership, who have started incorporating the course into their unit action plans to boost connectedness, morale and cohesion. To make the process even easier, the program created peer support cards on lanyards in February to help volunteers who don't work at a computer.
Haltom said there are currently 1,342 Airmen at Hill eligible to take the advanced course and emphasized that attending is an exploratory step, not a final commitment.
"Military and civilian Airmen may attend the course to learn what it means to serve as a PSV with no strings attached," Haltom said.
If a volunteer decides to formally join after the training, they will be asked to sign a statement of understanding that requires leadership concurrence. The next course is scheduled for March 19, with other 2026 sessions June 11, Sept. 24, and Dec. 17.
Personnel interested in attending can register by texting HILLPSV to 94000 or online at the official registration website. For questions, contact Haltom at 801-777-4776.