SOCCENT retreat addresses conflict, critical to overcoming COVID adversity

Photo By Lt. Col. Anthony Hoefler | Maj. Lucas Dalgleish, U.S. Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) command chaplain, leads a marriage communication exercise. Starting the afternoon of September 25, 17 SOCCENT team members and their spouses spent Friday through Sunday at an Orlando hotel focusing on their personal wellbeing. The importance of addressing and resolving conflict in relationships is what drove SOCCENT to host the offsite family retreat.  

FL, UNITED STATES

09.27.2020

Story by Maj. Anthony Hoefler 

U.S. Special Operations Command Central

It has been seven months since the COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed our lives. From the unpredictable health impacts to the disruption of everyday conveniences, COVID has forced us all to stare adversity directly in the face. Naturally, adversity can inject conflict into our lives.

Starting the afternoon of September 25, 17 U.S. Special Operations Command Central team members and their spouses spent Friday through Sunday at an Orlando hotel focusing on their personal wellbeing. The importance of addressing and resolving conflict in relationships is what drove SOCCENT to host the offsite family retreat. The last time SOCCENT hosted a similar retreat occurred this past January.

“We thought the timing was right to offer a safe and enriching outlet for members of our team to not only relax but, also to reconnect and nourish the meaningful relationships in our lives,” said Maj. Lucas Dalgleish, SOCCENT’s command chaplain.

The retreat covered several sessions over three days. Each session built on the notion that conflict is a constant in all relationships, and subsequently provided helpful techniques to recognize, assess, and respond to both healthy and unhealthy forms of conflict.

Aside from the formal workshop sessions, spouses and families were provisioned ample personal time to connect and enjoy the various amenities the resort property offered.

A couple with three young kids remarked, “Being able to just spend uninterrupted time with each other is priceless, our daily lives don’t often allow this.”

The SOCCENT leadership team streamed in and visited the group virtually from Tampa to share their support for a relaxing and productive weekend.

Rear Adm. Frank Bradley, SOCCENT commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer, SOCCENT senior enlisted leader, underscored the significance of strong relationships and connected them to the importance of the command’s mission.

“The strength of our organization is directly related to the strength of our families—investing in our people is the most significant way we can grow and evolve into a stronger and more resilient team,” said Bradley.

• Date Taken: 09.27.2020
• Date Posted: 10.20.2020 14:54
• Story ID: 381317
• Location: FL, US