Army To Teach Troops How to Pick a Spouse

[ECH1969]

They are the Pentagon's new "rules of engagement" the diamond ring kind. U.S. Army chaplains are trying to teach troops how to pick the right spouse, through a program called "How To Avoid Marrying a Jerk."

The matchmaking advice comes as military family life is being stressed by two tough wars. Defense Department records show more than 56,000 in the Army active, National Guard and Reserve have divorced since the campaign in Afghanistan started in 2001.

The "no jerks" program is also called "P.I.C.K. a Partner," for Premarital Interpersonal Choices and Knowledge. It advises the marriage-bound to study a partner's F.A.C.E.S. family background, attitudes, compatibility, experiences in previous relationships and skills they'd bring to the union.

It teaches the lovestruck to pace themselves with a R.A.M. chart the Relationship Attachment Model which basically says don't let your sexual involvement exceed your level of commitment or level of knowledge about the other person.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1579405

[KitchenWitch]

1. Meanwhile many of our troops do not have adequate body armor

and equipment.

What do the words, "Stay the fuck out of our private lives" mean to our government?

:grr:

[ComerPerro]

3. Conservatives always say

that the biggest problem with the left is that we expect the government to come in and solve all our problems.

But look who is asking the government to do that now....

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

10. One thing about the army

you sell your soul (to bu$co) when you sign on the dotted line.

[ComerPerro]

2. Or here's another way to cut the number of divorces and ruined lives

stop sending our troops to unnecessary, unending wars!

[FerdinandandIsabella]

4. Nahhh....that's too logical......eom

[KitchenWitch]

5. A hearty welcome to DU!

:hi:

[ComerPerro]

6. Good point.

[frustrated_lefty]

7. I'm curious if this is driven by morality or practicality.

On the surface, it looks like something which could be an attempt by the christian right to infiltrate a new target audience. Otoh, the army is very goal oriented. Spousal relations presumably have a significant impact on a soldier's ability to function at 100%.

[No Exit]

8. This is a joke, right?

And I suppose premarital counseling for a future spouse of a servicemember includes guidelines for how to care for an amputee? It should.

I have actually noticed recent ads for clinics that mention prosthesis services and other services for amputees. Yes, they are acknowledging that a LOT of people are being maimed over there, and they are poising themselves (as usual) to make MONEY off it.

[Algorem]

9. "This is your rifle,this is your gun..."

[peacebaby3]

11. As an Army wife of nearly 16 yrs., I understand exactly what they are

doing. Some people are more conducive to military life. Much more conservative and more of a "dependent" vs. "independent" when it comes to critical thinking. Military spouses can be very independent in other ways because they usually spend a lot of time alone. In other words, they don't want you to "rock the boat" and be willing to "stay the course" just like your spouse. Never question the mission. It probably would be an easier life if you never question anything. Just an opinion based on my experiences.

I've never fit the mold. Oh, the stories of me butting heads with the military are numerous!

[mediaman007]

12. You're spot on! This is bigger than just the military...

This sounds just like big program out of Colorado that tours the nation's stadiums every summer. I can't remember the name, but its for men only. They tell the men to be responsible and to expect the wives to be subservient. (I wish I could remember the name).

I've got it: "The Promise Keepers" (check this group out!)

[SammyWinstonJack]

13. Pickles could have used that program.

"How To Avoid Marrying a Jerk." My Dad had this saying from his army days , "If the Army wanted you to have a wife, they would issue you one."

[Secular Agent Man]

14. More "wasteful spending". /eom