7/12/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
7/12/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- An aptly named support group designed to help spouses successfully resume their relationships following deployment will debut next week at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Airman and Family Readiness Center.
The Open Arms reintegration support group, which will meet for the first time at 1 p.m. Wednesday, will be facilitated monthly by a Military and Family Life Consultant at the A&FRC, who will discuss a variety of issues and give attendees advice as they prepare for the return of their deployed spouses.
"Open Arms is an educational event for the spouses of deployed members who will be returning soon - hopefully in that 30- to 45-day period before the military member returns," Tom Badman, A&FRC chief, said.
Badman said the intent of Open Arms is to provide reintegration information for those spouses. Military members have already been briefed on reintegration, so this event is an attempt to fill that gap.
"We are adding a resource for our community to assist spouses with reintegration education," he said.
Badman said Open Arms will give spouses resiliency tools. They will learn about common marital issues, challenges they will face when they reunite with their partner and solutions in the areas of intimacy, communications, conflict resolution, problem solving and negotiations.
"Air Force surveys show there are relationship issues out in the community," he said. "Information will be provided in hopes that spouses will better prepare themselves for the reunion and the reintegration process. They will learn the normal things that happen when couples come together after a long absence and receive the tools to make their reunion successful. The briefing will also touch on how children can reconnect with their parents."
Badman said Open Arms "is a proactive approach in support of our community."
"The hope is that we will see a drop in the number of relationship issues," he said. "We will try to provide them with information and tools so there is greater success in the reintegration process."
Badman said the briefing should last about an hour, but the MFLC will be available to speak to individual attendees following the session.
Monday is the deadline to reserve a place, but seating is limited. For more information, call 652-5321.