Mischief....
The rise in military divorce rates raised a red flag in the armed services. In 2004, nearly 10,477 military couples divorced, according to a Department of Defense report. What's more, military couple divorces steadily increased from 2002 (7,000 divorces reported) to 2003 (more than 7,500 divorces). Army officials speculate that the reasons for the increase range from alcohol misuse to anger-management issues for troops returning from deployment, reports Stars and Stripes.
In an effort to fortify the military family the Army, Marine Corps and Navy created support groups and outreach programs to help decrease the divorce rates. The programs range from mental-health counseling to weekend family retreats. Most offerings vary from service to service but all are designed to use divorce as a last resort.
The Army's programs include:
Deployment Cycle Program - includes briefings for soldiers on how their absence and return affects family relationships and how to cope with subsequent changes.
Building Strong and Ready Families Program - this is a weekend retreat that develops couples' communications skills.
The Strong Bonds marriage education program - focuses specifically on issues that affect Reserve and National Guard couples.
The Pick a Partner Program - helps single soldiers make wise decisions before choosing a mate.
The Marine's program includes:
The Marine Corps' Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program - a two-day workshop that helps couples manage conflict, solve problems, communicate effectively and preserve their friendship.
The Navy's program includes:
The Marriage Enrichment Retreat - this is a weekend retreat designed to enrich and strengthen a Navy couple's marriage.
Divorce is commonplace in the United States but it's rare to find an institution like the military service willing to help couples work at marriage. Programs such as the ones offered by the Army, Navy and Marine Corps might help decrease the divorce rate among military families and set an example for the rest of the nation. Visit Military.com/spouse for more information about the military family and spouses.
© 2006 Military.com. All rights reserved.
In an effort to fortify the military family the Army, Marine Corps and Navy created support groups and outreach programs to help decrease the divorce rates. The programs range from mental-health counseling to weekend family retreats. Most offerings vary from service to service but all are designed to use divorce as a last resort.
The Army's programs include:
Deployment Cycle Program - includes briefings for soldiers on how their absence and return affects family relationships and how to cope with subsequent changes.
Building Strong and Ready Families Program - this is a weekend retreat that develops couples' communications skills.
The Strong Bonds marriage education program - focuses specifically on issues that affect Reserve and National Guard couples.
The Pick a Partner Program - helps single soldiers make wise decisions before choosing a mate.
The Marine's program includes:
The Marine Corps' Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program - a two-day workshop that helps couples manage conflict, solve problems, communicate effectively and preserve their friendship.
The Navy's program includes:
The Marriage Enrichment Retreat - this is a weekend retreat designed to enrich and strengthen a Navy couple's marriage.
Divorce is commonplace in the United States but it's rare to find an institution like the military service willing to help couples work at marriage. Programs such as the ones offered by the Army, Navy and Marine Corps might help decrease the divorce rate among military families and set an example for the rest of the nation. Visit Military.com/spouse for more information about the military family and spouses.
© 2006 Military.com. All rights reserved.