COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY TO A HAPPY MARRIAGE.

FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- The following information was released by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command:

By Caroline Goins

SWCS Public Affairs Office

United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (SWCS) builds strong minds and strong hearts, which builds a stronger marriage according to two captains in the Military Information Support Operations Qualification Course.

Capt. Dane Hughes and Capt. Elena Hughes have been married for more than four years. For half that time, deployments have kept them separated, but they're making up for lost time during the language and regional studies phase of MISO training.

Thanks to random chance and a little luck, Dane and Elena have been assigned to the same Indonesian class, held in the SWCS Directorate of Regional Studies and Education. Students are assigned specific regions based on their aptitude and the needs of the operational force.

"Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world; it's a strategic location," Dane said. "It's important to our mission to build strong relationships with their government to protect both countries."

During these courses, most students typically pair with a study group or partner to practice proper pronunciation and vocabulary. Dane and Elena didn't have to look too far to find their partners.

"We go home and have everyday conversations in Indonesian while classmates go home and have to practice with flashcards," Dane said.

"We comprehend the vocabulary faster when we put it into everyday use," Elena said.

"It's such a fully immersive course that we find ourselves dreaming and thinking in Indonesian," Dane said. "We even find ourselves translating what's being said on TV and the radio."

In all, Dane, Elena and their classmates will spend 42 weeks studying Indonesian language and regional culture, as well as communications media training, to learn to communicate with and deliver critical information to foreign audiences.

Dane and Elena agree being in the military and going through training together has really strengthened their marriage.

"Being in a marriage you learn to communicate, but being in the Army together, you learn all these things tenfold," Elena said. "You get first-hand experience on the reliability of your partner when it really matters, not just the little everyday things."

Everyone has their low days, but at least he and Elena are able to have a clear understanding of what each other are experiencing, Dane said.

"With dual military relationships, there's an understanding of the job requirements and time demands," Dane said.

Since they met in an Army training course in 2006, both have served on two year-long overseas deployments with limited access to phones and the Internet.

They recalled the one occasion they were able to meet up during a deployment.

"It was kind of unreal having a bit of normalcy on deployment. It was like we had a secret, being able to have dinner and a movie together like a regular couple," Elena said.

She says experiencing the same training helps her when Dane is on a hard mission because she knows personally how well prepared he is.

"I have confidence in his training and capabilities as a Soldier to take care of his team and himself," Elena said. "I would follow my husband into war, that's a special reassurance when we're apart."

--usasoc--