Soldiers hone skills to forge 'Strong Bonds' for life

By Staff Sgt. Heather A. Denby, 35th ADA Public AffairsSeptember 18, 2015

Soldiers learn about positive characteristics of a potential partner
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- Soldiers of 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade share the positive and negative characteristics of past partners to identify commonalities between peers during a Strong Bonds single Soldier retreat September 10, 2015 at t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- Army leaders encourage their Soldiers to consistently train on operating their assigned weapon, conducting tactical movements and increasing their physical fitness to ensure successful execution of necessary tasks when they are in combat.

But how do leaders encourage their Soldiers to interact with others in a way that fosters healthy relationships that last?

"Well, one way we are able to develop Soldiers is by giving them a better understanding of the characteristics of a person that they would like to spend time with," said Maj. Christopher Offen, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade chaplain and Strong Bonds retreat facilitator. "We also challenge our Soldiers to self-reflect and possibly identify some of their own characteristics that could be improved to help nurture the things they give and the things they need when interacting with other people."

More than 50 Soldiers from 35th ADA Brigade participated in a three-day, single-Soldier Strong Bonds retreat at the Hartell House on U.S. Army Garrison -- Yongsan September 9-11.

The Strong Bonds single Soldier program is designed to help Soldiers establish relationship goals and gain essential skills that can help them make informed choices prior to picking a partner for life.

About 50 percent of the Army's Soldiers are single and most will get married while on active duty.

During the retreat, Soldiers participate in small group activities that reveal common bonds and nurture friendships.

"These revelations are vitally important to Soldiers stationed in Korea," said Capt. Tim Sheperd, 6-52 Air Defense Artillery Battalion chaplain. "The tools that they learn during the retreat allow Soldiers to reinforce the bonds they have with their friends and family back home."

"It can be so much easier to serve overseas when you know you've got the support of your loved ones at home," Sheperd said.

Chaplains also use the retreat time to provide awareness of additional community resources that can assist with concerns about health, overall wellness and even crisis intervention.

"The key thing that I learned was that no one is perfect," said Pfc. Kayla Chihon, a human resource specialist assigned to 35th ADA. "It's important to understand that everyone is going to have differences and the only way to understand them is through effectively communicating with each other."

Chihon said she spoke with her parents about the retreat and what she learned.

"My parents were really impressed with the overall experience I shared with them," she said. "They both said that they wished this type of training had been offered when they served together in the military because it can really be challenging to try and communicate the unique experience we have in the military to someone who hasn't necessarily served."

More than 90 percent of the Strong Bonds retreat attendees reported that, as a result of the program, they will approach selecting and bonding with a potential partner differently.

"If you don't take the opportunity to attend one of these retreats, you're missing out," Chihon said. "It is the chance to learn more about yourself and learn more about your peers."

Soldiers interested in attending a Strong Bonds retreat should contact their unit chaplain for information on the different programs they offer and to find out when the next retreat will take place.