Active MILITARY

ABOUT THE CURRICULUM for military   ARC’s HISTORY of SERVICE   PRODUCTS for military   CERTIFICATION trainings for installations   ARMY STRONG BONDS PROGRAM   RETREATS for military members and spouses   COMBINATION TRAINING and RETREAT

About Active Military Life and Resiliency Skills

Created in collaboration with military communities, Active Military Life and Resiliency Skills is an 8-16 hour skills program that addresses adventures of military life including deployments and reintegration. Active Military, aka “Better Than Best Friends Forever,” provides tools to build resilience and to build strong healthy bonds. It has a modular format that allows for flexibility to meet soldiers’ needs at any time. Active Relationship Center Leaders often offer this program in a retreat format.

Active Military Life and Resiliency Skills…

• Meets all DHHS/ACF “Marriage Education Requirements”
  
• Is an Approved Curriculum of Army “Strong Bonds” program
  
  
• Is Evidence-Based - Research provided from military couples by Baylor University
  
• Is Available in Secular and Christian editions
  
  
• Leaders choose format (day-long, or two half days, or weekly sessions).
  
• Is Used in U.S. Army, (Korea, Europe, mainland U.S.) and U.S. Air Force, (USAFE, PACAF, and mainland U.S.)
  
  
• 2003 pilot program began with Chaplains in U.S. Army at Fort Sam Houston.

Programs are for single soldiers, military couples and families, and officers/chaplains. Our mission with the Armed Services is to provide programs for specific needs. These programs have included: *Active Military Life and Resiliency Skills, *Communication Skills, *Conflict Resolution Skills, *Emotional Regulation, *Spiritual Health, *Money Management, *Romance and Intimacy, *Intentional

Living Skills (that keep love alive and families strong).

Active Military Life and Resiliency Skills conducts serious business about the "what to" and "what not to do" in life, while making it fun and interesting for participants. Activities involve lively discussions and demonstrations for resolving conflict effectively.

Content Topics include areas such as…

Resilience and Readiness
Communication Styles & Successful Communication
Emotions and Your Body
Planning to Manage Emotions
Posttraumatic Stress
Destructive Behaviors
Depression and Family Safety
Anger and Abuse
Compassion and Forgiveness
Being Real in Families
Money Styles, Roles and Responsibilities
S.M.A.R.T. Resolution Skills. & Peer Practice
Predictors of Relationship Satisfaction
The Biology of Love
What to Expect in Marriage
Little Ideas for Staying Close

How class typically flows:

Easy-going introduction
Guiding Principles of Class (Rules)
Fun Activity as Ice-Breaker and for Learning - VERY MALE Friendly Topic
Serious topic
Fun activity
Serious topic
Fun activity
And so on--to allow laughter regularly!

Modular Format

The Active Military Life and Resiliency Skills ~ Leader’s Guide is specifically designed to enable Chaplains or other Active Relationship Center Leaders to design their classes to match the needs of each specific group with its clever interchangeable modular design. Topic sections may be tailored by allowing flexible use of implementation/activity time.

Populations Served

Primarily Active Relationships Center work has been with the Army and Air Force in partnership with the offices of family advocacy, family support and chaplains.

Click here to view an article where Active Relationships is being used to support soldiers and their families dealing with the stress of deployment.

Evidence-Based

Research was conducted by Baylor University. Click here to review results:

2006 Military Research (.pdf, 754 KB)

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ARC's History of Service

It has been our pleasure to serve the U.S. Armed Forces since 2000. For references, please contact ARC. It is ARC's promise to support you in any way we can. We value you as servicemen and servicewomen, knowing that you work each day to keep our nation and our world safe.

Quotes from Armed Forces Participants

Quotes from Armed Forces Participants in the Mastery Series Programs:

"Don't get married, or divorced, before you attend this seminar."    G.H., U.S. Army Commander            

"I highly recommend this seminar to any couple needing a refresher course in the subject of "why I  fell in love with my spouse." Chaplain's spouse

" For those young in marriage and in the military, this is the foundation for them to build on. The tools taught can be taken with them for a lifetime. Getting back to the "basics." What basics? I was never told there were basics for romance. This (Romance) course has the answers to your never thought to ask questions! This is a must have for any couple to go to the next level."   Senior Instructor, AMEDDCRS

Good seminars for bringing couples closer together regardless of the length of time they have been together." B., U.S. Army

"We are trained for everything else! This is one training event you should not miss!" J.G., U.S. Army

"Great class, alot of fun, while working out problems."   SGT., U.S. Army

Quotes from Overseas Armed Forces Participants in Active Reunions Seminar:

"This seminar was good stuff to learn. Helps you realize the things to do, what not to do and what to expect." A.P.

"I thought my marriage was in the wrong direction, until I went to the seminar and found out that we're normal!" T.H.

"Extremely informative and made me aware of my own behaviors that were not beneficial to my relationship...and what I can do to change."    B. N.

"After the seminar you will see things different." J.W.

"The seminar was a reinforcement training. It helps you stay focused on your intent mission concerning your family members and loved ones." Anonymous

"It’s great knowing what a difference just a little effort can make in our relationships and families." D.M.

"If you get to do this course, please do it. It worth your time." R.M.

"Eye opening!" S.H.

Where have our Military Programs been in 2007?

Click each for more details.

Aviano Air Base, Italy, October 2007: Active Military Life and Resiliency Skills

RAF Alconbury, United Kingdom, March 2007: Active Money Personalities

USAF Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, March 2007: Active Money Personalities

2006

Fort Sam Houston and Brooke Army Medical Center Retreat New Braunfels TX, October 2006: Active Military Reunions

Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, March 2006: Active Christian Communication

USAF Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, February 2006: Active Military Life Skills

USAF Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, February 2006: Accelerated Training (Mastery Series + Military Life Skills)

RAF Alconbury, United Kingdom, February 2006: Active Military Life and Resiliency Skills

RAF Alconbury, United Kingdom, February 2006: Accelerated Training (Mastery Series + Military Life Skills)

Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, March 2006: Active Christian Communication

2005

Fort Sam Houston and Brooke Army Medical Center Retreat New Braunfels TX, July 2005: Active Military Reunions

Fort Sam Houston and Brooke Army Medical Center Retreat New Braunfels TX, May 2005: Active Military Reunions

Fort Sam Houston and Brooke Army Medical Center Retreat, Fort Sam Houston TX, March 2005- Active Military Reunions

2004

Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, October 2004: Active Military Reunions- Keeping Marriage During War (KMWT)

Seoul, South Korea, May 2004: Active Military Reunions

Camp Humphreys, Korea, May 2004: Active Communication

Camp Humphreys, Korea, May 2004: Active Military Life and Resiliency Skills

Camp Humphreys, Korea, May 2004: Active Military Reunions

Travis AFB, California, March 2004: Active Money Personalities

2003

Fort Sam Houston, Texas, May 2003: Active Living to Make Love Last

Fort Sam Houston, Texas, May 2003: Active Romance and Intimacy

Fort Sam Houston, Texas, March 2003: Active Money Personalities

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Products

• Participant Books
• Leader's Guides
• Certification Kits
• Teaching Aids

Click here to order Military Products Online

Right-click here to download an order-form for Military Products

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Certification Trainings

*On Your Installation
Some bases use the opportunity to bring Kelly Simpson, MA Psych, LMFT (author of Active Relationships curriculum) in to present to troops and allow Family Advocacy, Chaplains and other important military personnel to attend seminar to receive certification in the program - A two-for-one (troop event and leadership training)! In this Seminar/Training, personnel who will be trained to become leaders of the Active Military Life and Resiliency Skills program meet with Ms. Simpson before the actual seminar, then attend the seminar with soldiers, and then meet with Ms. Simpson after the seminar to review important program points and gather more information and/or ask questions about the curriculum.

*At National Conferences

Smart Marriages 2009: Active Relationships is offered as a Pre-Conference Institute at the Smart Marriages Conference.

*Strong Bonds Venues

Please call ARC at 214-369-5717 for more information.

*Other Places

See current calendar for upcoming trainings or contact Active Relationships Center for trainings at bases that can be attended with permission of the base Chaplains in charge of the trainings. Join the seminar with the troops and gain your certification at the same time!
Note: The four Mastery Series programs can be taught individually or in any sequence as The Mastery Series©. Successfully completing all programs entitles you to receive certification as a Mastery Series Leader©. You will receive an advanced certificate with this designation as well as being designated as qualified to lead the Mastery Series© on ARC's website.
                       

*Certification Out of a Box (distance learning)
If live trainings are not feasible: the next best choice is to purchase the training via correspondence materials. Professional Training Kits for each curricula contain:
·      DVD or Actual Workshops
·      One Leader's Guide for self-study
·      One Participant’s Guide
·      One PowerPoint CD
·      Training Assessment to complete for certification

Click here to order Military Products Online

Right-click here to download an order-form for Military Products

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Army Strong Bonds Program

What is Army Strong Bonds?

-Strong Bonds is a program offered for Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve soldiers and their families. It encourages soldiers and their families to learn and utilize relationship skills and other community and health supports. Trainings in approved relationships skills programs are offered to Chaplains and their assistants. More information can be found on the Strong Bonds website www.strongbonds.org .

Who is invited?
-Active Army
-Army National Guard
-Army Reserve

Is Active Relationships Approved for use?
-Yes

-Quarterly trainings are offered through the Office of the Chief of Chaplains. Registration for Active Relationships trainings as a part of Strong Bonds can be done through the Strong Bonds website.

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Retreats

*FOR COUPLES

*FOR INDIVIDUALS

Programs are for single soldiers, military couples and families, and officers/chaplains. Our mission with the Armed Services is to provide programs for specific needs. These programs have included: *Active Military Life and Resiliency Skills, *Communication Skills, *Conflict Resolution Skills, *Emotional Regulation, *Spiritual Health, *Money Management, *Romance and Intimacy, *Intentional Living Skills (that keep love alive and families strong).

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Combination Event

*CERTIFICATION TRAINING for Professionals
as part of a RETREAT for Troops