U.S. Army Garrison – Miami is promoting strong military families by sponsoring several programs, national and local, to give servicemembers and DoD employees the tools to develop a strong marriage.

Joe Walker, garrison family advocacy program manager, arranged for more than 20 military and civilian couples to participate in two separate programs, a Marital and Relationship Conference and “A Weekend to Remember,” both at no charge and one with free day care.

The weekend conferences were filled with classes, speakers and workshops designed to foster better communications between married and almost-married pairs. The benefit to the military is obvious, Walker said.

“When you are talking about marriage counseling you are talking about prevention,” he said. “Anything that you can do to ensure the safety and wholeness of a family helps ensure readiness for the mission and helps the families know that we are here for them, the greater military family.”

“The side that has the smartest Soldiers … is the side that wins war.”

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany – An out-of-place rock … an olive drab rucksack not covered … the subdued black muzzle of a Win Mag 300.

It probably started before the birth of her second child, but by the time she started back to work from maternity leave she was in full blown depression-and it only got worse.

The first Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff is recgonized at the United States Sergeants Major Academy.

A U.S. Army Psychological Operations Soldier was killed Aug. 16 of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Herat Province, Afghanistan

Sgt. 1st. Class David “Keith” Trail shot his way to finish 8th out of 385 compound bow archers at the 125th U.S. National Archery Tournament Aug. 3 to Friday at Joyce Park in Hamilton, Ohio.
His 8th place finish secures a spot on the U.S. Archery Team (compound bow). He will represent the United States around the globe next year at World Cup tournaments. Trail finished 6th overall for Men’s compound bow division in the National Archer’s Association’s rolling rankings.

About 20 single Soldiers of 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) took a white-water rafting trip near White Salmon, Wash. Aug 5.

The U.S. Army Special Operation Command Dining Facility was recently chosen to represent the Installation Management Command-Southeast at the Department of the Army-level 2009 Philip A. Connelly Awards.

The Soldiers of 5th Special Forces Group bade farewell to Col. Christopher Conner and welcomed home Col. Mark Mitchell during a change of command ceremony Aug. 14.