MilitarySpot.com

Serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard

Follow MilitarySpot:
 
  • Home
  • Enlist
    • Join The Army
    • Join The Navy
    • Join The Air Force
    • Join The Marines
    • Join The Coast Guard
    • Join The National Guard
    • ASVAB
    • Army Physical Fitness Test
    • Military Draft
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
  • Career
    • Join the Military
    • Jobs for Military and Civilians
    • Career Center
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
    • Criminal Justice
  • Education
    • Online Schools
    • Spouse Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • Military Schools
    • Criminal Justice
  • Benefits
    • Army Benefits
    • Navy Benefits
    • Air Force Benefits
    • Marine Corps Benefits
    • National Guard Benefits
    • Coast Guard Benefits
    • Veteran Benefits
    • Basic Pay Rates
    • Allowances
    • Special & Incentive Pay
    • Military Spouse Education Benefits
    • VA Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
  • News
    • Headline News
  • Finance
    • Debt Relief
    • Military Pay Rates
    • Military Personal Loans
    • VA Loans
    • Military Star Card
    • Military MyPay
  • Spouses
    • School Finder
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • PCS, DITY, & Moving
    • Pay Rates
    • MyCAA
    • Education Benefits
  • Community
    • Military Games
    • Military Reunions
    • Classifieds
    • Photo Gallery
    • Buddy Finder
    • MilitarySpot Pinups
    • Military Bases
  • Resources
    • Military Alphabet
    • Military Reunions
    • Military Acronyms
    • Currency Converter
    • Military Tools
    • Ranks
    • Military Time
    • Military Tactics
    • Military Discounts
    • Military Games
    • Military Videos
    • Photo Gallery
    • Infographics
    • How To
  • Travel

PREP Program; Enhancing Couples Communication

7/1/2011
By Cpl. Salvador R. Moreno , I MEF

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — A service member returns from deployment to his spouse. He’s back to his daily routine and in high spirits. Then a few months go by and he realizes there is trouble in his relationship.

No matter what he says or does it just seems to make matters worse. What does he do?

The Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program helps couples identify and solve marital problems before they begin.

PREP, a one-day workshop to enhance couples communication skills, is held every other month at the Marine Corps Family Team Building.

“It’s a couples communication workshop that’s going to help both partners understand each other and get some new tools for their tool box, so they can talk to each other in a more productive manner when they are having a disagreement or misunderstanding,” said Lizz Carty, family readiness program trainer with MCFTB.

The class hosts a variety of couples including those currently dating, newly married and couples who have been married for years. The class is based on30 years of research and has developed along the way. But the common theme at the workshop is a variety of communication techniques and the benefits of developing those skills.

The MCFTB trainer’s partner with PREP trained chaplains to divide the different sessions to give a variety of communication examples and techniques during the day-long workshop.

“We give our participants a different style of presentation for every section so it’s engaging, and you get the perspectives of different trainers as well,” Carty said. “We use video-clips, posters, workbooks and a personality activity to try to get everybody up and sharing.”

Navy Lt. Justin Hayes, Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton chaplain, said Marines don’t go into battle without training first and it wouldn’t be wise to jump into marriage without preparation either.

“We all come out of high school with under-developed communication skills,” Hayes said. “We have a mixed bag of good and bad skills. We seem to excel at the bad ones and that’s what we use to beat our marriages up with.”

Some of the techniques and topics covered during the workshop are relationship risk factors, communication danger signs, safety and structure in communication and forgiveness.

“The techniques my wife and I learned from the class, we use at home to help us be more effective communicators,” said Lance Cpl. Samuel Zaragoza, a PREP participant. “We are pretty open and talk about everything. That’s one of the things we pride our relationship on. This just gave us extra tools in our bag should we have any problems.”

All service members, dependents and civilian employees on base are welcome to attend the workshop.

There are no requirements to attend the class. Participants don’t have to be married or attend with a partner, but are encouraged to come as a couple.

It’s a great opportunity for couples who are dating or engaged to start a relationship with a strong foundation for communication, Carty said.

“Our main goal is to make sure our Marines and families are ready to meet their mission, life and career events,” Carty said. “We want to make sure you have all the education readiness tools at your disposal to be ready to meet all the challenges you might face.”

The next workshop is scheduled for Sept. 22. For more information on how to sign up or other MCFTB programs and classes, call (760) 725-9052.

Comments

Filed Under: Marines, News, Personal, Resources

  • News
  • Enlist
  • Education
  • Career
  • Finance

2023 Hurricane Season Begins

JUNE 2, 2023 – The official start of the 2023 hurricane season on June 1st signals the need for heightened preparedness and vigilance among Moody Airmen and their families to safeguard lives and property. The 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron’s emergency management flight is dedicated to keeping Moody Air Force Base well-informed and educated, empowering Airmen […]

Reserves Offer $10K Bonus for Prior-Service Enlisted Airmen

APRIL 5, 2023 – To remain competitive in a tight labor market and retain valuable talent, Air Force Reserve Command is offering a $10,000 incentive bonus to fully-qualified, prior-service enlisted Airmen who sign up to fill open positions and agree to a three-year service commitment. One of several incentives available to those who join the […]

Junior at DoD Education Activity High School Wins Second Place

MAY 23, 2023 – Mckenzie Mitchell, a junior at a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) high school, recently was honored in the 61st annual National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) for her research on depression in flies. JSHS is a Department of Defense-sponsored event administered by the National Science Teaching Association which encourages […]

How to Use Your Military Background to the Fullest

MAY 23, 2023 – For many veterans, transitioning from military to civilian life can be a daunting task. While the skills and experiences gained during military service are valuable, translating them into a successful civilian career can be challenging. However, with the right mindset and approach, veterans can use their military background to their advantage. […]

DOD Updates Overseas Cost-of-Living Allowance Adjustment Process

MAY 3, 2023 – The Overseas Cost-of-Living Allowance (OCOLA) is an allowance that ensures our Service members who are assigned to a permanent duty station outside the contiguous U.S. (OCONUS) (i.e., foreign countries, U.S. territories, Alaska, and Hawaii) maintain the same level of purchasing power as Service members stationed in CONUS locations — not less […]

Recent Posts

  • 2023 Hurricane Season Begins
  • Defense Leaders Discuss Progress on Alliance with Japan
  • Guard Takes Holistic Approach to Fitness
  • WLEF Event Affects Cultural Change
  • DoD Hosts 2023 Climate Resilience Workshop
MAINMENU




SITESEARCH
Can't find something? Try using our site search to dig through our entire site.



Still having trouble? Try the Advanced Search to refine your searches.
NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBE
Sign Up To Receive Information, Updates and Special Officers from MilitarySpot.com.



Don't miss an issue! Jump in the Newsletter Archives to catch up on previous issues.
FOLLOWMILITARY SPOT

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & StumbleUpon and more. Keep up with MilitarySpot.com news & updates. We also have an RSS Feed.

Advertise | About | Contact | Feedback | Unsubscribe | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
 
Copyright 2004-2023 Sun Key Publishing. All Rights Reserved.



 
This is not the official recruiting website of the U.S. Military. The site you are on is run by Sun Key Publishing, a private company, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the U.S. Military.