Our military families are the backbone of our nation and its military. They provide support and encouragement to our deployed soldiers. The nation’s leadership recognizes this vital contribution and wants to help married couples reunite after long periods of separation.

The Wisconsin National Guard is pleased to announce a series of eight Marriage Enrichment Weekends over the next several months. The method of instruction being used is the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) developed at the University of Colorado and widely used throughout the US Armed Forces as part of the Building Strong and Ready Families (BRSF) initiative.
The class is designed to assist couples with reintegration and reunion by enhancing communication skills. Education will include icebreaker activities and will blend instruction and practical exercises.

I strongly endorse this program and encourage as many of our soldiers and their families to participate as possible. Our goal this fiscal year is to guide 400 couples through an enrichment weekend. The new registration form is available. Priority is based on the first to register; however, commanders are encouraged to ensure all their married soldiers are aware of this opportunity and may prioritize within their command if they are aware of a particular soldier’s need.

Opportunity is given for couples to discuss with qualified instructors issues that may have arisen during their separation or since their return from mobilization. This is NOT marriage counseling but an educational opportunity to learn new or improve upon existing, communication skills. It is also a time to share success stories with other couples who have experienced separation through mobilization. See the enclosed brochure for more information. We will mail the brochure and registration form to all soldiers with family members who have returned from mobilization.

The State Family Program will administer the PREP weekends and our Army and Air National Guard chaplains who have been trained in PREP will instruct. There is no cost to the service members for these weekends. Commanders are authorized to send soldiers in an IDT status. The Family Program will contract the hotel and all meals and ensure the travel vouchers are completed to reimburse the spouse for mileage. A credit card is required upon check in for incidentals.

Questions may be addressed to Carolyn Morgan in the Family Assistance Center, Tel: 608-242-3414 or 800-292-9464

Program Information:

PREP Memo

PREP - 2009 Brochure
SEPTEMBER 5-7, 2008 - Pine Lake Bible Camp, Clintonville, WI
(Christian Based)
Oct 17 - 19, 2008 Hilton Hotel, Appleton WI
Jan 16 - 18, 2009 Landmark Resort, Door County WI
Mar 20 - 22, 2009 Landmark Resort, Door County WI
Apr 17 - 19, 2009   Landmark Resort, Door County WI
May 15 - 17, 2009 Holiday Inn, Stevens Point WI
Registration form
PREP - Frequently Asked Questions

Premarital Interpersonal Choices & Knowledge (P.I.C.K.) Program - The Strong Bonds Single Soldier program is designed to help you establish relationship goals and gain essential skills to help you make a good choice prior to picking a partner for life.

Oct 17 & 18, 2008 Hilton Hotel, Appleton WI
Apr 17 - 19, 2009 Landmark Resort, Egg Harbor (Door County), WI
P.I.C.K. Registration Form