Marriage Enrichment Programs

With deployments and frequent relocations, military relationships can be put to the test. Fortunately, support is available to help military couples stay strong through life’s challenges.

You can access free, confidential relationship support services like the Building Healthy Relationships specialty consultation as well as non-medical counseling through Military OneSource. Call 800-342-9647 or chat online to schedule a session.

OurRelationship and Love Every Day are two options for couples who prefer to work on their own.

Each military service branch offers programs designed to enrich marriage and maintain a healthy relationship by helping couples develop better communication skills and rekindle their romance. These programs are generally:

• Run by chaplains and supported by commanders, Military and Family Support Centers, and installation family readiness programs
• Non-faith-specific
• Either low-cost or free to service members and spouses

To find out about programs available through your service branch and installation, check with your chaplain or local Military and Family Support Center. Through the center, military and family life counselors are available on installations and embedded in units to provide personalized support according to your relationship needs and to connect you to resources and programs.

Here are some service-specific programs.

Army

Installation chaplains offer the Building Strong and Ready Teams program. The program features:

• Weekend retreats that help couples build relationship resiliency
• Specific retreats for couples, families, single soldiers and for those facing deployment
• Activities for unit members who are on the same duty cycle

Marine Corps

The Marine Corps offers the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program. This program:

• Benefits newlyweds and seasoned couples alike
• Helps couples improve their communication skills and build strong relationships
• Offers workshops through chaplains and Marine Corps Family Team Building

Navy

Chaplains Religious Enrichment Development Operations offer marriage enrichment retreats. More information is available on the Navy’s website. These getaways include:

• Weekend retreats that help couples focus on their relationships while enjoying food, fun and romance
• The opportunity for couples to learn about handling conflict, growing their marriage, building intimacy, communication and understanding each other

Air Force

The Air Force Chaplain Corps offers marriage enrichment programs. Check with your installation’s chaplain to see what’s available in your area.

More relationship resources

Online tools: Love Every Day

Does daily communication with your partner mostly involve texts? It might be time for a new way to communicate.

Take a few minutes to connect in a fun and meaningful way using Love Every Day. This free interactive tool for your mobile phone prompts you and your partner, via text, to connect in new ways. Both partners answer one question each day for 21 days. Check out the video.

Questions can focus on what you love about one another, provide you with new ways to get to know each other, share thoughts and memories, and show you care in fun ways. Log in, live in the moment and spark some fun with Love Every Day.

Building Healthy Relationships

The Military OneSource Building Healthy Relationships specialty consultation offers several tracks specifically for military couples. Your consultant will help you identify the ones that are right for you. Tracks include the following and more:

• Strengthening the Couple Connection. This track provides educational resources, guidance on common issues for military couples and tools to support strong relationships. Consultations can include both or one partner.
• MilSpouse Toolkit: From education on military culture to navigating resources, this track is beneficial for new spouses who may be experiencing a disconnect from their family and need to identify a support system in their new community. This track focuses resources to assist new and current military spouses with adjustment to the military lifestyle, developing coping skills and resources for resiliency.
• Communication Refreshers: Communication is important for a healthy relationship. This track offers individuals or couples educational webinars, inventories and services to improve their communication with one another. This is an excellent path for those seeking to enhance communication with a spouse, colleague or family member.
• Reconnecting After Deployment: When service members return from deployment, a major shift can occur for the entire family. This track is tailored to this unique period. It helps service members and/or family members identify goals and provides materials to ease stress and shape resiliency.

OurRelationship

OurRelationship is a flexible, online, evidence-based tool for military couples. It consists of online activities to solve relationship issues such as trust, communication and emotional distance. Couples can complete the activities individually or together, making it ideal for those separated by deployment or other reasons. Couples have the option of completing the program on their own, or with a coach via phone or video calls.