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Preparing for a sound marriage

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Marasky
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  One of the happiest days in most people's lives is the day that they get married.

However, for members of the military marrying non-U.S. citizens, marriage can present a great number of specific challenges. That's why Osan offers a pre-marital class for those individuals marrying non-U.S. citizens.

The class is sponsored by the Integrated Delivery System, a group of base support agencies including the Chapel and Airman and Family Readiness Center.

The class meets once a month and usually has an attendance of about five to 15 individuals preparing for marriage.

"This class helps people to understand the time that it takes to fill out all the paperwork involved with a marriage to a non-U.S. citizen," said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Charles R. Cornelisse, 51st Fighter Wing chaplain and facilitator for the class. "Hopefully this expedites and eases some of the pain that can be associated with this process."

The class covers a number of issues, financial and legal for example, that can arise when marrying a non-U.S. citizen, and the way that it affects servicemembers.

"We cover a number of issues that people can come across, such as security clearances or not being able to leave the peninsula due to a spouse not being able to PCS with the servicemember," said Chaplain Cornelisse.

Another concern when getting married is money.

"We want to make sure people are prepared for some of the pitfalls and costs associated with getting married," said Mr. Clarence Figgs from the Airman and Family Readiness Center, a financial briefer.

"It's important that these agencies get an opportunity to brief the servicemembers, but it's also a great opportunity for them to speak about the positive aspects of being married as well," said Chaplain Cornelisse. "It's the commander's intent that our Airmen depart the peninsula with their spouse, or as you could say, 'No spouse left behind.'"

For more information about the pre-marital class offered by the IDS, contact the Wing Chapel at DSN: 784-4044.