Jerk Class

Photo By Maj. Anthony Buchanan | TIKRIT, Iraq (June 26, 2006) -- Chaplain (Maj.) Michael Yarman instructs the class on "How Not To Marry A Jerk (Or A Jerkette.) The class is for those considering marriage is being taught to Soldiers Armywide. (Photo by Spc. Lee Elder, 133d Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

07.18.2006

Story by Staff Sgt. Miles Elder 

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

TIKRIT, Iraq (June 26, 2006) " Nobody wants to marry a jerk or a female "jerkette," yet many Soldiers wind up doing just that causing them loads of heartache and costing the Army a lot of money.

Soldiers got a few tips on picking the right mate and then living together happily ever after during a daylong seminar held at Continuing Operating Base's main theater. The seminar was taught by Chaplain (Maj.) Michael Yarman, who serves as the XVIII Field Artillery Brigade chaplain, and it is based on a course devised by Ohio-based counselor John Van Epp.

"If you marry a jerk or a jerkette, it will be with your eyes wide open," Yarman said. "If you choose well, not only do you benefit, but your children benefit and the Army benefits as well."

More than 56,000 Soldiers have endured divorce since 2001 when the Global War on Terror commenced, according to recent Department of Defense figures. The strain of fighting two wars is certainly a factor, but Yarman said many Soldiers just don't choose wisely when it comes to marriage.

"We often spend more time buying a car than picking the person you are going to spend the rest of our lives with," Yarman said. "The bottom line is that we don't want to marry a jerk or a jerkette."

Besides a group of 15 Soldiers, a dozen fellow chaplains also took the class. They will in turn teach the class to their Soldiers at a later date.

Yarman taught the class wearing a black T-shirt and baseball cap which both bore the "No Jerk" logo. The program claims to show participants 'the way to follow your heart without losing your mind."

A Cookeville, Tenn., native, Yarman is based at Fort Bragg, N.C., and is endorsed by the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He is a graduate of Reformed Seminary in Jackson, Miss.
Besides his "No Jerk" uniform, Yarman was quick to teach the class the "No Jerk" salute. He placed one hand on his heart, while putting two-fingers at his brow signifying using your heart and brain when choosing a life partner.

"This is heavy metal," Yarman said showing his finger bearing his wedding crowd to the participants. "When this goes on, things change forever."

The program -- which is also referred to as "P.I.C.K. a Partner," for Premarital Interpersonal Choices and Knowledge -- has been sanctioned by the Army. It's taught to Soldiers in order to help them make wise choices. Although it is taught by chaplains, it is given from a largely secular standpoint.

These choices should be based on the partner's F.A.C.E.S. " family background, attitudes, compatibility, experiences in previous relationships and skills they would bring to the marriage. It's the essence of who your would-be partner truly is according to the seminar.

Yarman stressed not only knowing your prospective marriage partner, but also getting to know their family. This is emphasized in a session entitled "You Can't Marry Jethro Without Gettin" The Clampetts," a reference to "The Beverly Hillbillies," a CBS-TV series from the 1960s.

Among those attending the seminar was Spc. Srimayi Shukula, who works in the operations section of the 555th Corps Support Battalion. A Lake Forest, Calif., native, Shukula came straight to the class after an all-night shift. She said it was worth losing a little sleep over.

"I thought it was very awesome training especially for being single a soldier," Shukula said. "Trying to find the right person and live your life with that person that was the main thing.
"It was worth every minute here."

At one point during the presentation, Shukula shared the stage with Sgt. 1st Class Sterling Deck, a Hamilton, Ohio, native who works in the Military Intelligence Detachment of the 501st Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division. Deck, who is dating now, also said the seminar was worthwhile.

"I learned a lot of things that will definitely help my relationship and give me a better chance of having a successful relationship," Deck said. "I hope to share this information with my girlfriend and hopefully get to come with me to one of these seminars in the states."

Both Shukula and Deck said they were pleased that the seminar gave them exact traits and instances that can help define a potential mate's character. They said these tips will help them as they search for a potential spouse.

"Overall, I think it is invaluable information," Deck said. "It is very important to talk about these types of things and get all this information out to single people. "These are things that will really make or break the relationship."

• Date Taken: 07.18.2006
• Date Posted: 07.18.2006 08:57
• Story ID: 7214
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ