Army Teaches Troops How to Pick a Spouse

Saturday February 4, 2006 12:16 PM

AP Photo WX101

By PAULINE JELINEK

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - They are the Pentagon's new ``rules of engagement'' - the diamond ring kind. U.S. Army chaplains are trying to teach troops how to pick the right spouse, through a program called ``How To Avoid Marrying a Jerk.''

The matchmaking advice comes as military family life is being stressed by two tough wars. Defense Department records show more than 56,000 in the Army - active, National Guard and Reserve - have divorced since the campaign in Afghanistan started in 2001.