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  1. Just the Two of Us: Child-Free Couples and Military Culture

    I still remember the first Family Readiness Group dinner that I attended after getting engaged to my husband.  Most of the women in attendance were either pregnant, shepherding fairly young children, or both, and I barely lasted five minutes before a complete stranger hit me with the apparently inevitable (and...
  2. Married to the Military: Advice from Veteran Military Spouses

    Marrying into the military can be overwhelming-I distinctly remember trying to learn the different ranks and various acronyms and etiquette when dating my husband years ago.  Even all these years later I still can’t always remember it all but over the past seven years of being married to my Army...
  3. Relationships and Finances

    Perhaps the only things in life that can rival the anxiety-producing effects of a relationship are money and finances. Money and finances in a relationship can cause a couple to worry and to have anxiety for their future. Combining both of these essential avenues in life, relationships and finances, can...
  4. Getting Married: 7 Things You Should Know

    Congratulations and welcome to a very exciting time in your life! Marriage and the military offer many challenges. The ups and downs you will experience mimic a rollercoaster ride. However, a sense of humor and patience will take you a long way. Marriage is not for everyone, just as the...
  5. Welcome Home! 5 Tips for Reintegration

    The day a service member returns home from deployment is one of the happiest and most eagerly anticipated days in the life of any member of a military family. The following months are a wonderful time full of re-connection and re-discovery, but they can also be stressful and challenging.  A...
  6. Building Resilient Relationships with Army Strong Bonds Retreats

    A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I enjoyed a romantic weekend getaway at a local tourist spot, complete with catered meals, outdoor activities, great relationship-building sessions, and a nice evening out. We made some new friends and came home with great insights about ourselves, each other, and our...
  7. What’s in a Name? Plenty…

    Although planning a wedding can be stressful, there is no doubt any married man will tell you it is completely, unreservedly worth every minute. One decision, however, looms over even the color of the text on the place cards: do you change your name? If you are keeping your own...
  8. Caring for Yourself While Supporting Your Service Member

    Deployment and reintegration can be extremely difficult times for a family. If you are the spouse of a service member, a lot of your energy will be spent supporting your loved one. However, it is important that you take care of yourself as well. Staying Healthy Eat well. Be conscious...
  9. Marital Counseling

    Marital counseling is a great way to improve your relationship and strengthen your family. Service members and their spouses face constant stress from all aspects of their lives, but especially when preparing for deployment and when reuniting. Seeking help through these difficult times is a brave and beneficial thing to...