KAPOLEI, Hawaii Aca,!" Fifty couples attended the U.S. Army Reserve 9th Mission Support Command's Married Skills Workshop Aug. 27-29, making it the command's largest couples event held in Hawaii.
Diverse couples ranging from newlyweds to those with 35-plus years of marriage gathered at the J.W. Marriott Resort in Kapolei, Hawaii, for the weekend retreat with one common objective: to strengthen their marriages.
The workshop was part of Strong Bonds for Couples, which is a unit-based, chaplain-led program designed to strengthen the marital bond by giving couples the tools and information they need for better communication and relationship building.
During the event, Soldiers and their spouses participated in activities such as team-building exercises and group discussions. They also had the opportunity to renew their vows.
This year the command's couples retreats have boasted anywhere from 15 to 33 couples, but this event significantly surpassed previous attendance numbers.
Former 9th MSC command chaplain (now retired) Mark Larson was thrilled to see how much the program has grown since its inception. Larson, who has been married for 41 years and had previously deployed to Iraq, facilitated the program at the 9th MSC in 2004 and continues to provide support today.
"I think initially there was some skepticism as to what [the program] was all about, but as couples experienced it and found out it was just to help them grow together ... the program has grown exponentially over the years," said Larson.
9th MSC Strong Bonds Program Coordinator Chaplain (Capt.) Roland Geyrozaga said that "word of mouth" has served as a powerful tool in fueling the program's popularity.
"Couples are experiencing the program and seeing its effects," said Geyrozaga. "Maintaining a healthy marriage is important because the greatest asset the Army has is its people and if they aren't healthy in their relationship side of life it's going to affect their ability to accomplish their mission."
Among this weekend's attendees were Brig. Gen. Michele G. Compton, 9th Mission Support Command, commanding general, and her husband, Col. Mike Compton, Hawaii Air National Guard.
"This was a fabulous opportunity," said Brig. Gen. Compton, who recently returned from a deployment in Iraq. "My husband and I had a wonderful weekend, and we were able to focus on our marriage."
Compton, who has been married for 25 years, said she appreciates the resources the senior Army leaders are dedicating to the program.
"I saw first-hand the value of this program in strengthening marital relationships of my Soldiers. It provided them with a wealth of information, along with effective communication tools," she said. "My thanks to the skilled team of chaplains who made it such a successful weekend."
Strong Bonds is a commander's program aimed at contributing to operational readiness by increasing Soldier resiliency to the stresses of military service. This is especially important to Soldiers who deploy. Many of the couples at this weekend's workshop have recently returned from Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan.
The 9th MSC Chaplain's Office hosts Strong Bonds programs throughout the Pacific to include the Hawaiian Islands, American Samoa, Alaska, Saipan and Guam. Programs include Strong Bonds for singles, couples, and before, during and after deployment. Next year, the 9th MSC Chaplain's Office is planning to initiate a Strong Bonds Family program where children ages eight years old and over can participate in a family getaway.
See unit chaplains or visit www.strongbonds.org to learn about the next scheduled Strong Bonds program.
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