The Wisconsin National Guard Family Program and Chaplains have teamed up to offer you a truly outstanding program known as P.I.C.K. (Premarital Interpersonal Choices and Knowledge).

About 50 percent of service members are single and most will get married while on active duty. If you’re a single service member, you may also be far from home, lonely, and faced with the uncertainty of imminent deployment. These pressures can lead to hasty decision-making when choosing a life partner.

A supportive mate is extremely important – so the military is committed to helping you learn how to make good relationship choices by offering the Strong Bonds Single Service member program. With this program, you and other Service members will attend training off-site for a retreat weekend. In addition to relevant teaching and skills training, Strong Bonds weekends include time for relaxation, recreation, fellowship, and fun.

Strong Bonds programs are offered by military Chaplains with the full support of your Commanding Officer. You’ll gain practical, useful information based on a nationally recognized curriculum that’s been carefully chosen. You’ll learn to examine priorities, manage mate-choosing patterns, and learn to evaluate a relationship’s potential for
long-term success.

At one time or another, we have thought about that old saying, “LOVE IS BLIND”. It might have been at that miserably mismatched wedding you attended; or when your best friend forgave his or her partner the hundredth time for the SAME CRIME; or after your divorce, and after looking back with analytic contemplation, you finally saw the warning signals of the person you ended up marrying, or perhaps it occurred within the depths of your own souls when you had someone you love break your trust.
The accumulation of experiences like these lead you to wonder if you could ever…..

In other words, is there really any explanation for why love is blind? Do we have any hope for learning how to avoid marrying a jerk or jerkette (for this program is BOTH males and females)? The answer is a resounding YES!!!!!

Much, if not all, of what a person will be like can be clearly predicted during dating.

For your mind needs to know what to look for in order to shape an accurate profile of the person you are dating. And you heart needs to know how to keep proper balances between the bonding forces which form the attachment in your growing relationship.

Why should I consider attending a P.I.C.K A PARTNER Workshop?

P.I.C.K is dedicated to building and strengthening relationships before and after marriage. The heart of a vibrant relationship is a strong bond of love. You will find that the Relationship Attachment Model (RAM) provides a picture of love and closeness. When you understand what produces the feelings of love in your relationship, and how these dynamics work together, then you can manage your relationship–healing hurts and deepening intimacy.

Will I be expected to tell a bunch of strangers what my problems are?

No. This is not group therapy. It is an educational and practical application opportunity to learn what works in picking a partner. It’s not necessary to share shortfalls
with the group. Your confidentiality is important and will be protected.

Is this a religious program?

No. No particular denominational teachings are included in “P.I.C.K.”.

Single Service members: Can I get paid to go?

If service member is on duty status, the unit may cover using a travel order. If units do not place service member on duty status, the family program can reimburse single service members for mileage only using an ITO, they will not receive duty pay.

What does the workshop cost??
It’s free! People ordinarily pay $150 for the workshop and materials and the total cost of the retreat, including hotel and food can easily exceed $300. Thanks to special funding, however, this workshop is provided at no cost. The hotel expense and meals will be provided at no cost.

WHO: Single Service Members

WHERE & WHEN: The workshop runs from 1700 hours Friday to 1500 hours Saturday. Late arrivals will only miss the social and dinner. Instruction begins at 2000 hours.

Dates To Be Announced

COST: IT’S FREE!

The total cost of this retreat includes lodging, meals and workshop materials easily exceeding several hundred dollars. Thanks to Strong Bonds funding, this retreat is provided at no cost. Incidentals such as room service, movies, and free time food/recreation are not included.

Room reservations will be completed by the Family Program Office. The information will be gathered from the registration Form, so ensure it is filled out correctly and completely. Any questions, please refer to Ms Carolyn Morgan at 1-800-292-9464. Credit Card will be required at check-in for incidentals.

AGENDA:

Friday Evening

• Dinner
• Welcome and Staff Introductions
• House Keeping Items
• Introduction to P.I.C.K. Weekend.
• Ice Breaker

Saturday Morning

• Breakfast
• Session One: Birds Eye View
• Break
• Session Two: You can’t marry Jethro without getting the Clampets too!
• Lunch Break

Saturday Afternoon

• Session Three: Ingredients
• Break
• Session Four: Expectations and Disappointments
• Group-social Activity
• Dinner(Optional)

Sunday Morning

• Worship Service (Optional)
• Breakfast
• Review from Saturday
• Session Five: The Horse and the Cart
• Wrap up
• AAR

ATTIRE: Business Casual

REGISTRATION: Closed

Print Brochure (pdf)