Military Marriage Enrichment Retreats

In its continuing effort to support our country's defenders and their families, California Career School helps raise funds to provide these Military Marriage Enrichment Retreats for our local GIs and young veterans.

Most marriages need help, especially when they are newer. But when young marriages endure the stresses of military life, deployments, and frequent combat tours combined with the financial stresses and anxieties that we all face, it can feel like too much to bear.

The divorce rate among our lower enlisted, especially those serving combat tours, is astronomical! Many of these unions also have children. It is so tragic that these great Americans, who have given so much for our country and for freedom, must suffer the lost of their marriages and children as a result. – Wives on US Military bases refer it as “The Plague.”

We have seen that most of these extremely painful break-ups are not really necessary. What couples need is a romantic weekend that also has small group meetings with other military couples and teaching about how to make their relationships work.




On the first evening, there are always couples that come who are on the verge of divorce. Some even tell us this as they arrive. A few have even discussed how to divide time with their kids after they split up. – Our retreat is a last resort for them.

But when the next day begins and the couples all sit together on plush sofas and carpet to watch our program on CD, the pairs cuddle, eat popcorn, drink sodas, laugh, jab, and cry. And they see the other couples going through the same emotions. Wives feel the embrace of their husbands’ loving arms; and, men feel their wives soften. They begin to feel like they used to. And they remember that together is the very best place to be in the whole world.

After 6 Military Marriage Enrichment Retreats, to our best knowledge, only one couple has broken up. – After 4 tours in Iraq, he was deployed to Japan for 18 months. He received a “Dear John” letter a few weeks after he got there. – We keep in touch with our couples. They call us when they need help. And we provide some extra special things that I’ll keep secret for those that have not yet attended.




We have been hosting these 3 day, all expenses paid, retreats in the Oceanside Harbor at a hotel that just out into the water. The rooms are suites. The views are gorgeous. The food is from local fine restaurants. And the hurt, anger, resentment and misunderstandings dissolve during our fun marriage enrichment sessions.

Not all of the marriages that attend our retreats are falling apart. Many just need the time away from the kids to just focus on eachother. And these stable marriages make a therapeutic balance during our weekends together. Some even come back as counselors.

The facilitators of these retreats are Mark and Tori Baird, the founders of Patriotic Hearts, a 501c3 non-profit.
If you or your company would like to join us, please contact them at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .