Fit to fight, love: secure your relationship with PREP Published Sept. 24, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Bekah Phy 305th Air Mobility Wing public affairs McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- McGuire's Family Advocacy Program staff is looking for couples, married or dating, who would like to participate in a six-week Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program, or PREP. PREP is an evidence-based program, which offers proven strategies for increasing positive communication skills in couples. Couples will learn how to communicate safely and effectively, harness the power of commitment, and revitalize fun, sensuality and friendship within their relationship. "The PREP program is based on research of couples who have been through the course, but it has never truly been tested in the Air Force," said Melodye Giovanni, Family Advocacy Program manager. "McGuire is one out of 10 bases participating in the research project and the only base in Air Mobility Command participating. "The program is designed to strengthen individuals, couples, and families and to support the mission," Ms. Giovanni said. "That's why they're bringing this research to the Air Force." Ms. Giovanni explained that couples do not have to be married, but all couples must complete the screening process at Family Advocacy before beginning the seminar. Couples interested will visit Family Advocacy for an interview, be made aware it is a research project (but still confidential), complete a pre-test consisting of questions about how relationships work, attend the six-week seminar and complete the post-test after the conclusion of the course. "When people feel loved and fortified, they know things are ok within their relationship," Ms. Giovanni said. "PREP can really help couples with that connection so they can be focused and not worried about their significant other." PREP can also help couples prepare for hardships during deployments and frequent separations, Ms. Giovanni said. "Across an Air Force career, you're changed by deployments, and frequent separations can erode a relationship" she said. "What we want to remain consistent is the loving bond in a relationship - we want couples to be able to keep that connection with each other - even when they're physically not together." The program can also help couples recognize the danger signs of a failing relationship and what to change to have a successful relationship, Ms. Giovanni said. She refers to the danger signs as the "four horsemen of the apocalypse," which include criticism, defensiveness, contempt and stonewalling. To help with those specific situations, five areas are illustrated during PREP, including knowledge of partner and what it takes to be acquainted with them, maintaining trust, reliance, commitment, and sensuality and sexual connection. The PREP areas of focus are designed to help relationships of all levels, Ms. Giovanni said. "PREP can be beneficial for couples who are just starting out and want to get ahead of the game, for established couples who are having difficulty and want to improve their relationship, or a healthy couple looking to continue to improve things," Ms. Giovanni said. After being married 20 years and teaching this program for several years, Ms. Giovanni has personally seen the benefits. "I've used the skills in this program ... PREP can really help you be happily married or happily coupled," she said. "It gives you the tools you need to build a happy home and life, including increased security, understanding, happiness and the peace that comes with knowing your relationship is sound and secure." For more information or to sign up for an interview/screening for PREP, call Family Advocacy at (609) 754-9680.