The Strong Bonds Program began in 1999. Originally known as Building Strong and Ready Families (BSRF), the Strong Bonds Program is a unit-based, Chaplain-led process that helps Soldiers and their Families build strong relationships. 

Beginning in 1999, with 4 events and 90 couples in the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii, Strong Bonds has spread throughout the active and reserve components of the Army. In 2004, the law was amended to allow command funding for “chaplain-led programs to assist members of the armed forces…in building and maintaining a strong family structure.” During Fiscal Year 2009 more than 160,000 Soldiers and Family members participated in over 2,600 Strong Bonds events.

Strong Bonds is a chaplain-led program for commanders which builds relationship resiliency. The Strong Bonds mission is to increase Soldier and Family readiness through relationship education and skills training.