Strong Bonds Program for Couples

Virtual Relationship Education Courses

The Strong Bonds Program offers year round virtual relationship education courses that Soldiers and Family Members can take online at their convenience. Virtual courses focus on relationship enrichment for singles, premarital/newly married couples, and married (or unmarried) couples. One popular course, Financial Peace University, even focuses on finances which is often a source of relationship conflict.

Army and Air programs have separate funding so Air NG Airmen and Families should contact their Wing Chaplain’s Office for Air NG programs. The courses listed below are for Army NG Soldiers and Family Members.

Funding Covers: In addition to free access to the online courses and printed course materials (dependent on the specific program), some courses may offer pay orders for completing the course (dependent on funding). Soldiers may also complete training on SUTA status with command approval.

The four curriculums offered are

QUESTIONS / Contact Information

Marriage Enrichment Weekends

Strong Bonds Marriage Enrichment Weekends are open to married couples who are members of the Army or Air National Guard. Army and Air programs have separate funding. Family members must be enrolled in DEERS.

These events offer military couples a fun and refreshing time to reconnect with the love of your life! The retreats are designed to strengthen relationships, inspire hope and rekindle marriages. You and your spouse will gain skills that fortify your marriage as you enjoy a time of relaxation, recreation, fellowship, and fun.

The four curriculums offered are

  • Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage
  • PREP: Prevention and Relationship Education Program
  • LINKS: Lasting Intimacy through Nurtuting Knowledge & Skills
  • Speed of Trust

NOTE: Enrichment weekends are on HOLD at this time due to COVID-19
BE NOTIFED ABOUT UPCOMING EVENTS
Complete the survey in the link to be notified about upcoming events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Army Guard members will find registrations for upcoming events posted on this page. NOTE that registrations close 45 days before each event so register early! Air Guard members should check with their Wing for information on 2021 events.

IS THERE FUNDING FOR ORDERS TO ATTEND IN A PAY STATUS?
Service Members may attend Strong Bonds events in a pay status. Publishing of orders is dependent upon program funding.

CAN I ATTEND IN LIEU OF DRILL?
Some Army and Air National Guard units may allow you to attend in lieu of drill. Please check with your unit.

LODGING
Lodging is available regardless of driving distance.

COST
IT’S FREE.
The total cost of this retreat including lodging, meals, child care, and workshop materials could easily exceed several hundred dollars. Thanks to Strong Bonds funding, this retreat is provided at no cost; though incidentals such as mileage reimbursement, room service, movies and food are not included.

DIRECT QUESTIONS TO email  SPC John Owen
phone  614-336-6941 (Office)  440-420-2462 (Cell)

Testimonials

“One of the best gifts/events that the National Guard has done for my family!”

“This was a wonderful weekend and much needed weekend as husband and wife in the military. ~ A good renewal time for us.”

Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts logo

Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts

Engaged or recently married?

Do you want to build a strong foundation for your relationship?

Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts (SYMBIS) provides engaged or newly married couples an exciting opportunity to prepare for a strong and passionate marriage. In SYMBIS, couples take an online assessment to discover more about each other by identifying their similarities and differences. The assessment covers personality, upbringing, attitudes towards money, sex, and much, much more. Even couples who have been together for years will learn new things about each other.

Learn more about SYMBIS
SYMBIS WEBSITE | FLYER

How it works
After registering, registrants will receive an access code to the online SYMBIS Couples Assessment. After completing the assessment one of our certified OHARNG Chaplains will receive the results and set up virtual or in person mentoring sessions to go over any strengths, weaknesses, or caution flags that the assessment tool identifies.

REGISTER FOR COURSE

ePREP logo

Prevention and Relationship Education Program

Has being cooped up at home made you a little crabby and hard to get along with?

Prevention and Relationship Education Program (ePREP) is an online virtual couples enrichment course for both married or unmarried couples. ePREP teaches couples how to talk without fighting, keep friendship and fun alive, and beat the odds of relationship difficulties. The skills and strategies presented in ePREP has helped over a million couples around the world. ePREP also increases the level of dedication and commitment couples have for each other which protects the relationship from the inevitable problems that arise.

Learn more about ePREP
ePREP WEBSITE | FLYER

How it works
After registering, registrants will receive an access code to the ePREP course. ePREP provides six hours of self-paced online training. Participants may take the course as self-study or with virtual coaching sessions (through video conferencing) with a Chaplain. Coaching sessions greatly increase what couples get out of the course as they provide couples the opportunity to practice some of the skills the course teaches.

REGISTER FOR COURSE

Rock Solid Marriage logo reads LOVE thinks

Rock Solid Marriage

Falling in love is easy… staying in love requires regular recalibration.

Rock Solid Marriage (RSM) teaches couples the skills they need to nurture a lasting love. RSM shows couples how to regularly revitalize the dynamic links in their marriage with the Relationship Attachment Model (R.A.M.). This model illustrates how couples grow closer by meeting one another’s needs for an open, trusting, and fulfilling relationship.

Learn more about RSM
RSM WEBSITE | LOVE THINKS
RSM FLYER

How it works
After registering, participants will receive an access code to the online RSM course. RSM provides six hours of self-paced online training. Chaplains are available to discuss personal applications and offer confidential pastoral counseling. While these mentoring discussions are not mandatory, they help to reinforce the training and identify personal applications.

REGISTER FOR COURSE

Ramsey logo for Financial Peace University program

Financial Peace University

Have recent events set you back regarding your financial goals?
Do you want to build a strong foundation for your relationship?

Is financial stress weighing you down?

The Financial Peace University (FPU) program will help you to dump debt, save for emergencies, and build wealth. Turn financial stress into financial peace! FPU teaches participants how to handle money and to grow in financial independence. Through Christian faith based principles, you will learn how to get out of debt, stay out of debt, and how to make your money work for you. Stop living paycheck to paycheck!

Learn more about FPU
RAMSEY+ WEBSITE

How it works
FPU is a nine-week virtual course that will be held from AUG-OCT 2021. Optional Regional "Kickoff" Dinners will be scheduled in August (dependent on funding). Each week, participants will view a 50-minute video on their own and participate in a one-hour weekly online meeting through Microsoft Teams video conferencing.

REGISTER FOR COURSE
DEADLINE: 15 JUL 2021