Soldiers strengthen skills during Strong Bonds retreat

By Sgt. Gun Woo SongMarch 9, 2015

Commemoration
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, commemorate the conclusion of the brigade's Strong Bond Single Soldier retreat Feb. 28, 2015, at the Dragon Hill Lodge in Garrison Yongsan, South Korea. The retreat was organized... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Speech
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Geun Lee, the chaplain of 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, says a few words during the brigade's Strong Bond Single Soldier retreat Feb. 26, 2015, at the Dragon Hill Lodge in Garrison Yongsan, South Korea. The retreat, which... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ice breaker
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, play bingo as an ice breaker during the brigade's Strong Bond Single Soldier retreat Feb. 26, 2015, at the Dragon Hill Lodge in Garrison Yongsan, South Korea. The event was organized... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

GARRISON YONGSAN, South Korea - Thirty Soldiers from the 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, participated in the Strong Bond Single Soldier retreat Feb. 26-28 at the Dragon Hill Lodge in Garrison Yongsan, South Korea.

The program was organized by the brigade chaplain to help single Soldiers improve communication skills and strengthen their confidence.

"The Strong Bond retreat is a program hosted by the Chaplain Corps, focusing on Soldiers on deployment to build resiliency," said Maj. Geun Lee, the brigade chaplain. "It is about having the participants become strong, not only in a physical sense but also physically, spiritually, mentally, socially and in family relations."

"There are marriage retreats and family retreats as well, but this retreat is for single Soldiers," Lee mentioned. "It is going to focus on developing relationship skills and communication skills."

The retreat began with a bingo game ice breaker and transitioned to classes about personality differences and self-identification. By studying different personalities, Soldiers learned how to better communicate with others.

"I learned that everyone is different and thinks different," said Pfc. Stephon Phillips, a fire support specialist and Milwaukee, Wisconsin native assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 210th FA Bde. "Everyone does things differently and has different ways to be approached."

After learning about personalities, the class studied the different love languages based on The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman. The languages include words of affirmation, act of service, physical touch, receiving gift and quality of time.

"The training aims to explain love through five different forms," Lee added. "And to help Soldiers communicate natural and mature love with their partners.

Through the class, Soldiers built resiliency along the way by learning more about themselves.

"Knowing the personality is a big thing because it pushes and pulls you in different directions," said Pfc. Jessica Walker, a unit supply specialist and native of Lexington, Kentucky, assigned to 333rd Forward Target Acquisition Battery, 1st Battalion, 38th Field Artillery Regiment, 210th FA Bde. "By learning my personality type, I have learned to adjust to different situations."

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