Therapeutic Retreats
Worldwide Retreats for Special Operations Families
Reintegration
OHF helps the SOF wounded couple to reintegrate with each other.
In addition, many veterans and their mates have often discovered an ability to heal from within and reconnect with what’s good in life as they share experiences, information, and interact with other SOF operators and their spouses who have undergone similar difficult circumstances.
Rehabilitation
Many SOF wounded return from the battlefield not only with physical wounds but also with unseen wounds. When a warrior is wounded, it’s not just the service member but also the family who is injured. Too often the family gets caught in a cycle of repeated deployments, hospitals, physical therapy, rehabilitation and unit mission demands to the detriment of the family.
Resiliency
OHF presents a program that saves marriages and boosts resiliency and well being.
The program creates strong, positive memories for the couple to heal wounds, repair relationships, build resiliency, save couples from past trauma, and also strengthen bonds for future continued service in America’s military or as veterans in civilian society.
Global Retreat Destinations
Couples Retreats
Operation Healing Forces offers week-long therapeutic retreats for Special Operations Forces (SOF) couples. These intimate experiences help couples reconnect, heal from the invisible wounds of service, and build lasting resilience in a supportive setting.
About our Retreats
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Hosted at donated homes or resort properties across the globe
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Limited to 4–5 couples per retreat for a personalized experience
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Private bedrooms and bathrooms for each couple
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All travel, meals, and activities fully covered by generous donors
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Led by a retired SOF member who understands your journey
Ready to reconnect and heal together?
Caregiver Retreats
In addition to Creating Bonds that Cure between SOF couples, OHF realizes that our military SOF spouses need an opportunity to create their own bonds to help encourage and support one another.
These individuals have courageously shouldered many burdens, often raising families alone while pursuing their own careers and personal aspirations.
At Operation Healing Forces, our Caregiver Retreats provide much-needed respite for the unsung heroes behind our Special Operations Forces—spouses and caregivers. These retreats offer the opportunity for deep renewal, forming a critical part of our Special Operations Additional Resource Programs (SOAR).
By connecting with fellow caregivers who understand the unique challenges and joys of their role, attendees can build lasting friendships and find solace in shared experiences. Through a variety of activities, including yoga, meditation, and nature therapy, caregivers can recharge and return to their daily lives with renewed energy and a strengthened support network.
Supporting Military Families: The Importance of Caregiver Retreats
Spouses and caregivers are the unsung heroes of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community—providing unwavering emotional and physical support, often while carrying their own unseen burdens. Operation Healing Forces Retreats offer these individuals and couples a rare opportunity to step away from daily demands, focus on healing, and connect with others who truly understand their journey.
Through powerful shared experiences and restorative time away, these retreats help strengthen military families, deepen relationships, and build resilience across the SOF community.
Explore how a military couples retreat helped one SOF veteran and his wife reconnect after combat.
TESTIMONIALS
“This retreat has brought women into my life that will be there forever. I know that if I need to lean on anyone with understanding, it would be this wonderful group of ladies.”
“As a military spouse, I don’t often think about the sacrifices I make everyday in support of my husband. I do what I do for my family. To feel as appreciated as I have on this trip is so valuable to me.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Retreats
Retreat Program Eligibility
While we continue to serve our SOF wounded, ill, and injured and their significant others, we also welcome any SOF couple that has experienced the stress of deployments, trainings, family illnesses, and the unique stressors of being family that serves our country.
We recognize that military life presents unique challenges to the spouses and significant others and we are always grateful for a chance to appreciate them through our retreat program.
If you are looking for the chance to reconnect with your spouse, we hope you won’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
What is the cost of the retreat?
There is no cost to attend the retreat. Retreat travel, meals, and activities are also covered by the generosity of donors hoping to give back to the SOF community.
How long does a retreat usually last?
Each retreat is 5 days with a travel day before and after the retreat for a total of 7 days.
What happens to participants after the retreat? Does OHF stay in contact?
Operation Healing Forces remain in contact with all retreat participants through our Alumni and Special Operations Additional Resources Programs to ensure the continued needs of our couples are met.
What does the retreat involve?
Each OHF retreat is unique in its activities and settings, but our goal is always the same: Creating Bonds that Cure. Retreat activities differ by location and season but may include horseback riding, ropes courses, parasailing, SCUBA diving, local tours, winery visits, surfing, skiing, and more! Each retreat is led by an OHF Retreat Lead who is also a retired member of the SOF community- no counselors here. Retreats are hosted at donated homes or resort locations where each couple is ensured a private bedroom and bathroom with no more than 4-5 couples in attendance.
How can I help OHF?
Since all fundraising and administrative costs are covered by founders, Gary and Tony Markel, your donation will focus all resources on OHF programs to support special operation families who serve in all branches of the military. Please join us and other patriots to take care of those who have given so much – sacrificed too much – to make their lives better and heal from the scars of war. Options to support OHF include cash donations, stock transfers, hosting an event benefiting OHF, designating OHF as your charity of choice through Amazon Smile, donating a 5-bedroom/5-bathroom home in a location perfect for hosting a retreat, or by making a legacy donation.
