VICENZA, Italy -- U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade participated in a High-Ropes Course, May 19, 2016, in Terlano, Italy, as part of the Strong Bonds Program.
Selecting the high-ropes course goes hand in hand with a lot of the training of Strong Bonds because it teaches confidence, allowing people to step out of their comfort zones, literally and figuratively, said Staff Sgt. James Bailey, a chaplain's assistant assigned to the 173rd ABN BDE.
"A lot of the obstacles on the high-ropes course make you focus in different ways then you would have originally thought, and Strong Bonds does that as well," said Bailey.
Battalion Chaplin Michael Basie, 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade explains that Strong Bonds is a program aimed at building individual resiliency by strengthening the military family.
The purpose of Strong Bonds is to increase individual paratrooper and family member readiness through relationship education and skills training, said Basie.
The 173rd Airborne Brigade based in Vicenza, Italy, is known as the Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, and is capable of projecting forces to conduct the full of range of military operations across the United State European, Central and Africa Commands areas of responsibility.
During exercise rotations it is possible for members of a unit to build strong bonds. They fight, train and work together and so being able to decompress through adventurous programs such as Strong Bonds has a real impact in paratrooper's lives, said Bailey.
"I've been teaching Strong Bonds for about two years now and I see the impact that it has on our paratroopers," said Bailey. "Many paratroopers come after the event and say, I appreciate you teaching this, I've never thought of it that way or I'm definitely going to try this technique when I get back home. Whether it's with a wife, a boss or with my paratroopers the training that we do has a lot of value both professionally and personally."
"I truly believe that Strong Bonds helps paratroopers overcome not only personal relationship problems but also professional relationship problems. I honestly believe that it's very much well worth the investment and the time that paratroopers take to get here to get this training."
Paratroopers interested in Strong Bonds' events should contact their battalion chaplain's assistant for future training events and dates.
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