The 711th Human Performance Wing at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, teamed up with Clark University to study how much a significant relationship influences the overall health, happiness, and readiness of airmen. The study is part of the Air Force’s efforts to “strengthen the resiliency of airmen and their families,” stated a Feb. 12 release. The pilot stage of the study incorporates 30-minute marriage assessment and feedback sessions, known as “marriage check-ups,” into participating airmen’s primary care clinic visit. The check-ups include suggestions on how the couple may strengthen their relationship, stated the release. Military members have unique stressors in their relationships, due largely to frequent deployments, said James Cordova, a professor of psychology at Clark University who developed the marriage check-up concept. Even a brief encounter with a relationship consultant has positive and lasting effects on a relationship, said Cordova. “Our hope is to allow loving couples to maintain strong, healthy, and happy relationships for a lifetime,” he said.
The Space Force is finalizing its first contracts for the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve and plans to award them early in 2025—giving the service access to commercial satellites and other space systems in times of conflict or crisis—officials said Nov. 21.