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    18th Fires Brigade hosts Marriage Enrichment Training

    Marriage resiliency training

    Photo By Sgt. Brian Glass | Soldiers of 18th Fires Brigade and their spouses went to Marriage Enrichment Training...... read more read more

    FAYETTEVILLE, NC, UNITED STATES

    10.01.2013

    Story by Sgt. Brian Glass 

    18th Field Artillery Brigade

    FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - For all married couples, whether in the military or in the civilian sector, it can be difficult at times to speak the same “language” with your partner. To help with that, the chaplains of the 18th Fires Brigade hosted Marriage Enrichment Training classes at Belmont Village, in Fayetteville Oct. 1.

    The training was given by Capt. David Morrision, chaplain for 3rd Battalion 27th Field Artillery Regiment. Morrision, taught the couples things from the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman featuring Jocelyn Green. Morrison, not one to lecture to people had the couples interacting from the very beginning.

    “In addition to the actual course material, we made sure to have discussion and interaction amongst the couples,” said Morrison.

    Morrison added that the discussion time gave the couples the chance to gain experience from the other couples and have interaction time with their own spouse.

    Spc. Scott Knowles, a cannoneer for B. Company 1st Battalion, 321st Airborne Field Artillery Regiment brought his wife Giahnee Knowles out to the training. They had been to a previous strongbonds event this year and came out to this training to build upon what they received before.

    “We like to come out to get tips to help keep our marriage strong. Not that its weak, but being proactive in our relationship instead of letting it get to the point where we get sick of each other and then trying to fix it [is important],” said Knowles.

    Spc. Davin Bing, computer automated tactical data system specialist for Headquarters Headquaters Battery, 1st Battalion, 321st Airborne Field Artillery Regiment and his wife Roshawnga were happy with the information they received, building upon previous couples training before.

    “A lot of this is stuff that we know it’s just that we tend to lose focus on or forget to do these things and then they bring it up again and we realize that we did these before [things for my wife],” said Bing.

    Bing went on to say that because it’s not something he didn’t normally do, it wasn’t common practice. It was common sense to do things for his wife, but not always common practice and this class helped remind him of that. Something his wife said she could work on as well.

    “It’s starting to become common practice again, because ever since we took this class before, I noticed how much he’s giving more words of affirmation and he’s doing a lot more encouraging and I know I can be better at physical touch,” said Roshwanga.

    Words of affirmation and physical touch are two of the five love languages taught from the book given to the couples.

    Each couple filled out a survey, which informed them on what of the five love languages they speak. For some couples, it was a good reminder on what they need to work on.

    “It’s good just to get refreshed, I know his love language is to be touched and mine is words of affirmation but its good to be reminded of those things. To keep those things in the front of our mind and try to implement them into our day to day lives to help build a stronger marriage,” said Roshwanga Bing.

    Bing added that both he and his wife are low on the survey for receiving gifts so instead they take time to focus on doing other things like spending quality time or doing acts of services for each other.

    “It’s not about buying something, just being there is a lot more important to both of us,” said Bing.

    After everyone finished their group discussions they broke for lunch and then had the rest of the day to spend time with their spouse, to start improving and implementing the love languages. The couples left feeling better about where they stand in their marriages and would recommend this to others in the future.

    “I would definitely say that it is important and every couple should go to one to learn these skills. You might not ever use them, but sometime you’ll catch yourselves saying you remember hearing that and these tips can help diffuse situations if you are attentive,” said Giahne Knowles.

    “You may not think you may need it per se but to take that time out to see if there is anything you can do to improve is important. Just like the army expects us to stay technically and tactically proficient, we need to do the same thing for our marriages,” said Bing.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 10.01.2013
    Date Posted: 10.18.2013 12:05
    Story ID: 115358
    Location: FAYETTEVILLE, NC, US

    Web Views: 111
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN