Marriage is hard. Marriage as a military couple is even harder. No sugar coating here. A relationship with a military member is a lot of tough days no matter how deeply in love you are.
Relationships deserve constant work, day in and day out.
Constantly making sure your partner’s and your own cups are being filled is even tougher when PCSing, deployments, TDY’s and more come around and wreak havoc throughout relationships.
Our relationships face many unique challenges; this is why it is important to find the right resources to help us through the impact the military has on them. From learning communication skills, conflict resolution, being intentional with your time together and working on planning for the future; marriage and relationship workshops can be a saving grace for many couples.
Thankfully, the military and other military-affiliated organizations offer different marriage and relationship workshops and resources you and your significant other can take advantage of. These will benefit you and help you learn all the tips and tricks into creating a healthy relationship you both can love and be happy in.
Here are some amazing and free resources made just for you and your service member in mind:
- Our Relationship: This Military OneSource resource is perfect to work on communication skills, and regain intimacy and trust. With the help of a coach or if you prefer self-guided, you can unlock many tools to help your relationship thrive. This program is not therapy; instead, it is a self-help resource you can tackle on your own time. No identifiable information is shared with Military OneSource or the DOD, so you will have peace of mind while taking care of your relationship. https://military.ourrelationship.com/
- CREDO Programs: The Navy’s Chaplains Religious Enrichment Development Operation program offers retreats and workshops for sailors and their families to help them build healthy relationships through spiritual practices. They offer marriage enrichment retreats; either weekend or one-day events that help couples with the tools needed to work on their relationships. CREDO also offers premarital workshops for engaged couples to understand and learn about communication, expectations and boundaries. You can find more information about your local CREDO programs at https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Regions/cnrma/om/religious_programs/
- Strong Bonds: This is a U.S. Army command-directed and Chaplain-led program to help Army relationships. From relocations to the stress deployments can bring, the Strong Bonds program can help couples gain skills to make their marriages stronger. https://bsrt.army.mil/about-us/about-us-couples/
- Mental health matters. Yes even within your marriage and relationship. Cohen Veterans Network is a great resource if you need outside help to tackle additional challenges. Our unique experiences need specific help and their supportive network of therapists can help. Find care near you or meet using their telehealth option. https://www.cohenveteransnetwork.org/client-education-center/couples/
- Military and Family Life programs: At times the 1st step is starting right where you are stationed and where your closest MFLC can help you. All sessions are confidential and the counselors are licensed and professionally trained to help you. Find one close to you at https://www.militaryonesource.mil/health-wellness/mental-health/the-military-and-family-life-counseling-program/
Marriage and relationship resources can be used for a variety of reasons and they do not always center on issues and problems between a couple. Some of these reasons include:
- Improving relationship skills
- Reconnecting with your significant other (especially after a deployment)
- Overcoming challenges as a couple
- Handling major life transitions; like retirement.
- Creating a healthy, positive environment for your children.
This lifestyle brings on many challenges and military couples must invest in their relationships. These and many other resources are designed with you in mind. Keep strengthening your relationship, work on your unbreakable bond and be proud of the life you are building together!