Airmen learn valuable relationship skills while exploring Big Sky Country

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Keeping a relationship healthy can have its challenges. For new military members, this can be especially true due to the inherent stressors of military service. To help Airmen in the grades of E1 through E4, the Single Airmen's Retreat program hosted by the Malmstrom Air Force Base chapel offered a weekend trip Aug. 28-30 to the Whitefish and Glacier National Park area in the hopes of teaching single Airmen how to start a relationship off right. 

"The SAR is an experiential training program for Malmstrom Air Force Base's newest single Airmen," said Chaplain (Maj.) Jason Botts, 341st Missile Wing chaplain. "The program is designed to enhance an Airman's self-awareness and relational competence in the beautiful Montana setting."

The core material taught during the trip focused on a relationship help series titled "How to Avoid Falling for a Jerk, or Jerkette."

Throughout the course, Airmen learned how to be active listeners, practice good communication skills, how to build trust and how to build confidence within themselves before starting a long-term relationship.

"Any successful relationship must have two things; the first is freedom and the second is responsibility," said Botts. "Freedom is the ability to choose based on personal values, not guilt or fear. Responsibility involves executing tasks that keep a relationship healthy and loving, and saying no to the things (that could cause problems or hurt)." 

When two individuals allow each other freedom and take ownership of the relationship, they're creating an environment for love to grow and mature, he believes.

Throughout the weekend, Airmen were able to share their thoughts and opinions on the course material while participating in a five-mile hike into Glacier National Park and during a rafting tour down the Flathead River.

A lunch break at the pristine Avalanche Lake and tour along Going to the Sun Road made for an outdoors experience that was meant to leave a life-long memory for those who participated.

"I was put on this earth to work at the interface of people and ideas," said Botts. "This weekend put me right in the middle of this interface.

"Amidst the incredible beauty of Glacier National Park I was surrounded by a group of our nation's finest young women and men, teaching and mentoring them to have successful and healthy dating relationships," he continued.

Tech. Sgt. William Curtiss, 341st Missile Wing chaplain's assistant, also provided invaluable logistic support for the retreat, Botts said.

According to Botts, Curtiss' ability to connect with the Airmen, understand and mentor them significantly enhanced the weekend experience for everyone who participated.

In the future, the chaplain team hopes to continue to offer the Single Airmen's Retreat program so Airmen new to the base can continue to grow while exploring the great outdoor activities Montana has to offer.

"What motivates me to do this is love," said Botts. "I care about Malmstrom's young Airmen and find that my greatest joy is seeing them succeed in life."