The Survival Guide for Marriage in the Military

By Gene Thomas Gomulka

Book Overview

The Survival Guide for Marriage in the Military : For Dating and Married Couples contains two detachable self-grading questionnaires divided into nine categories (Communication, Conflict Resolution,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0974808334
• ISBN13: 9780974808338
• Release Date: March 2007
• Publisher: PlainTec Publishing
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.

Customer Reviews

More of a program than just a book

This book is different from any realtionship book I've ever read (and after my divorce I've read a number of them). When I saw that it was written by a former chaplain, I was afraid it might be heavily religious. But while it had a small section on religion, it was not at all preachy. It's more of an interactive self-help program than a book you read from cover to cover. It comes with two detachable questionnaires similar to what marriage counselors use. Only instead of meeting with a counselor, the couple read and discuss advice provided in the book's discussion guide. After reading some of the advice on a number of different topics from sex to even pets, I wish the book were around years ago. I can't say for sure if it would have saved me from marrying the wrong person for the wrong reasons, but I think it can probably help a lot of couples before and after marriage. Because I have yet to try it out on someone, I'll have to withhold giving it five stars and go with four.

Excellent marriage enrichment inventory and guide

My husband and I completed the detachable self-grading inventory that helped us identify areas in our relationship that had room for improvement. With the help of the discussion guide, we were able to discuss particular shortcomings that needed some work without becoming defensive or hurting each other's feelings. I think the book can help both couples who have good marriages and want great marriages, as well as couples that have problems and might be hesitant to meet with a counselor. I liked the fact that it addressed unique problems and challenges we face in the military (like deployments and multiple moves). While the author served in the Navy, it was written with language and examples that make it meaningful to people from all branches of the military, officers and enlisted alike.

Gives great insight and new perspectives on getting married

Neither I nor my fiance are in the military (though I did grow up in a military home), but most of the advice given in this book can pertain to all engaged or soon-to-be engaged couples. My fiance and I are young, just graduating college, and we found that the self-graded questionnaires in particular gave us constructive assistance in realizing where both our strengths and weaknesses as a couple lie. If you're not planning to go to premarital counseling, and even if you are, give this book a try. It is worth it.

Marriage in the military is tough. This book makes it easier

I liked this book. To help us navigate what we need to do in the military, we constantly deal with regs and specifications. When it comes to gauging how the military way-of-life impacts our relationships with our loved ones, there are no score sheets -- until now. Captain Gomulka has put together a thorough, systematic way to talk with our service members about everything from money to kids to even in-laws -- and to gauge how well we are working together as a team toward our common goals. If you are dating or married to a service member, you'll be glad you read this book. --Ralph Nelson