Date nights while in the military seem challenging to make time for…marriage retreats, nearly impossible. Time to go, expenses to go, lack of CHILDCARE to name just a few hindrances! But, what if the Army built a marriage retreat for service members to go to that commanders could approve time off for? What if the Army paid for it because they valued / understood that healthy marriages and relationships improve mission readiness. What if they also provided CHILDCARE for EVERY SESSION? Would you want to go? Try to go?
When we got to our first duty station my husband’s unit was hosting a retreat, formally called Strong Bonds, and although we didn’t have children yet, we decided to take advantage of the opportunity to go. It was led by a chaplain and his wife and we had some really fun and deepening moments. I’m so glad we went.
The Army has changed the structure of the events a little bit recently so I wanted to invite my friend Brittany, a chaplain spouse, to share more about them and how you can hopefully attend one!
The following questions are answered from Brittany’s experience and perspective.
What are these retreats?
Building Strong and Ready Teams (BSRT), formerly known as the Army Strong Bonds Program, was rebranded in late 2022 and is a Command directed, Chaplain led training that exists to support building and maintaining healthy soldier and family relationships. Basically, the rebrand took place to expand resources (more money for programming!) and make sure all soldiers were included in the training opportunities, regardless of relationship status. There are also more opportunities for training beyond solely a relationship focus. While couples and families are often first to mind with these events, BSRT provides events for singles, soldiers, families of deployed soldiers, and leadership as well.
Our service members are probably familiar with the term “holistic health” which consists of not just being physically mission-ready, but mentally, morally, and spiritually as well. The Army understands that in order to develop and enable a service member to be their best, their whole person has to be prepared, and this is where BSRT comes in!
How do I attend one?
So, I know you’re thinking, Corrie sold me and “I’m game! Where do I sign up?!” These events are happening at all different levels and locations: unit, brigade, CONUS, OCONUS, and the best place to start is for your service member to get in touch with your Unit Ministry Team (UMT), preferably your Chaplain or Religions Affairs Specialist. If there is an upcoming event, they can get you on track to attend, and if there isn’t, your interest lets them know one is needed and desired!
Personal Experience:
I have had the pleasure of attending a couple Strong Bonds events: one while my husband was in the Reserves, pre-children, and one post-children while we were living in Central Texas. Both left me with a renewed sense of the importance of being intentional about making time to work on our marriage regardless of our circumstances or location along with a better understanding of just how impactful a healthy and hopeful home life is on both my and my husband’s everyday grind. More recently, I was able to participate in a BSRT Families of Deployed Spouses event which was so encouraging to know that those on the homefront were being cared for and loved in the midst of their loved one being away. We know this lifestyle brings its own set of obstacles and to have resources and support alongside as you tackle them is key!
In conclusion, this resource is so important to the military community and we (Corrie and Brittany) both believe that every soldier should be given the opportunity to attend one if they want to! We hope and pray that you and your spouse / significant other can find this resource as a way to strengthen the homefront, the most important front.
For more information and to find an event near you, CLICK HERE!
With love, Corrie & Brittany
Meet Corrie and Brittany
Corrie and Brittany met as neighbors while stationed in Central Texas from 2020 – 2022. Brittany is an Army Chaplain spouse, mother of two girls, avid runner, and community volunteer. Currently stationed in South Carolina, she loves sharing local adventures and budget tips for military families on her Instagram @thatfrugalmama
