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As US troops leave Iraq and others remain in Afghanistan, the effect of wartime stress continues to re-shape military families and couples. Suicide rates are still high among US soldiers, and the divorce rate increases each year. The main concerns among the soldiers in the field are their relationship with their partner back home, and re-integration with family life. These are ranked HIGHER than their worries about being wounded or killed in service.
In December 2007, Captain Christopher Atkins started a “Long Distance Relationship Discussion Group” using The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work as the text. Reading and exercise assignments are sent via email to the respective spouses back home as well as the soldiers. They complete it together and report back to the group on progress made. This program was incorporated throughout the military and the books are being used around the world!
5,568 Seven Principles donated through The Gottman Institute program
Donate this book to US soldiers worldwide who are struggling with their relationships while being of national service.
A December 13, 2011 article in USA Today reports: "The military divorce rate reached its highest level since 1999, as nearly 30,000 marriages ended in fiscal 2011, raising the prospect that troop withdrawals may lead to more divorce, according to interviews and Pentagon data released Tuesday." Additionally, Air Force marriages have a 5% divorce rate, much higher than the national average of 3.5%. The Army's most popular intervention program, Strong Bonds, last year devoted over $100 million to marriage support for more than 4,000 events at bases across the country and overseas. And while the 2012 budget has yet to be approved, the Army expects to see an even greater demand this year. ( http://www.military.com/news/article/military-divorce-rates-continue-steady-climb.html )
“Your book was the MOST COMPREHENSIVE research-based and incredibly practical guide in tackling this epidemic of failing Army marriages through not the "active listening" communication approach of PREP which every Chaplain here uses in their programs, but through your dynamic interventions to foster "emotionally intelligent couples", EXACTLY what is needed for these young men and women.” - Captain Chris Atkins 3,000 books have been generously donated by Karen and Steve, who attended our couples workshop. Karen says: "The Gottman book and seminar were very meaningful to me and I am sure the work of The Gottman Institute will continue to open the hearts of many who receive the great messages."
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