Couples learn marriage education key to success

Photo By Cpl. Jackeline Perez Rivera | Sgt. Willie PruDe, a collection analyst with II Marine Headquarters Group, and his wife listen to the instructors during Marine Corps Community Service's Marine Corps Family Team Building Marriage Enrichment Workshop at Midway Park, a Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune housing area, Dec. 16. The workshops are based on 30 years of research from institutions such as the University of Denver on marriages and relationships.  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

12.15.2011

Story by Pfc. Jackeline Perez Rivera  

Marine Corps Installations East       

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Breck Bregel, a retired Navy chaplain and life skills trainer with Marine Corps Community Services’ Marine Corps Family Team Building aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, feels that investing into one’s marriage leads to great results.

“When people face the end of their life, they say having kids and getting married were the most important parts,” said Bregel, who along with chaplains throughout Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, teaches Family Team Building’s monthly Marriage Enrichment Workshop. “These are also the two things most people are unprepared for. We’ll spend our lives going to school learning history dates and never use a single one of them after we become adults. But everything that you learn about marriage you can use. It’s amazing what a little marriage education can do.”

During the last workshop seven couples from MCB Camp Lejeune decided to take some of those steps to invest into their relationship. They spent the time learning techniques and gaining a better understanding of how to obtain a healthy and thriving relationship.

The workshop uses Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program material and instruction. PREP workshops are based on 30 years of research on marriages and relationships from institutions such as the University of Denver.

“It’s not therapy,” said Bregel. “It’s an educational setting. People think we’ll make them talk about their struggle or their conflicts. That’s not what we do. It’s all about the couple coming together and learning how to live a better life.”

The class began with instruction from Bregel and Navy Lt. Doyl McMurry, the chaplain with Headquarters and Support Battalion, MCB Camp Lejeune, discussing topics such as healthy communication, danger signs, hidden issues that prevent marital closeness, managing expectations, forgiveness, healthy sexuality and other topics. It included videos showing real couples and time for practical applications of techniques discussed.

The instructors shared anecdotes creating a casual, light atmosphere.

“They let you [talk it out] among yourselves, but they always draw you back in,” said Brook Garcia, a participant in the workshop. “It lets you see you’re not the only ones. The couple next to you is going through the exact same thing.”

Brook and her husband, Lance Cpl. David Garcia, an electrician with 2nd Marine Logistics Group, came to gain a better understanding of each other and their marriage.

“One of my buddies did this, and he and his wife seem a lot happier,” said David. “I feel like we could use some of the help they offer.”

The Garcias feel people procrastinate and let their insecurities get in the way of bettering their marriage.

“[People say] they’ll go next month,” said Brook. “If they want to make things better in their marriage, even if things feel fine, [they should] come for a crash course.”

For more information about future workshops, call 451-0176.

• Date Taken: 12.15.2011
• Date Posted: 01.12.2012 07:25
• Story ID: 82301
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US