Is divorce more prevalent in military life than civilian life?

2016-06-07T12:32:01-04:00

I know it's tough being married and in the military, I ask this because I hear about it happening with couples separated for long time periods, financial situations, not enough benefits and insurance to support a large family, can't find a job, etc.
Civilians have a high divorce rate also, but I'm wondering if, by percentage rates, is the percentage more or less than civilians? Just curious.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 12:36 PM

2016-06-07T12:36:37-04:00

Yes, I think it drives a wedge between two people. As in my case I had to spend time away from my children and wife. Maybe I was weak but after day giving 110% to the Army I was exhausted, again my fault. We just grew apart as she had her work and people she associated with and I had mine.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Jun 7 at 2016 12:36 PM

2016-06-07T12:36:54-04:00

This is the best thing I could find.

"The divorce rate among both officers and enlisted troops was an even 3 percent in 2015... The civilian divorce rate stands at about 3.2 percent as of 2014, according to the most recent data. Military and civilian divorce rates cannot be accurately compared because of differences in tracking methodology."

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/04/22/military-divorce-rate-continues-slow-but-steady-decline.html

Military Divorce Rate Continues Slow But Steady Decline

The U.S. military divorce rate continued its slow but steady downward trend in 2015, marking the sixth year running that it has declined.

Response by PVT Amos A. made Jun 7 at 2016 2:25 PM

2016-06-07T14:25:02-04:00

Last brief I was at my unit had something like a 70% divorce rate. But then again there were a lot of deployment junkies who would jump battalions for consecutive rotations. I knew guys who spent their entire 20s deployed.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Jun 7 at 2016 2:59 PM

2016-06-07T14:59:27-04:00

Is a 2/10th of a percent a significant difference?

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 3:09 PM

2016-06-07T15:09:56-04:00

After reading a few posts I have to ask. If a person gets a divorce while in the military and another after service is it the 1 to 1 or 2 to 0?

Really the stresses placed on active duty military families are many and I think those marriages that survive are noteworthy.

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Jun 7 at 2016 4:20 PM

2016-06-07T16:20:44-04:00

Can't say about the present, but when I was in (80s) the Navy lead divorce rates in the services and at one time it hit 70%. During training, they said the chances of you retiring with the same spouse you joined with was very low. New family service programs, ombudsmen and other things have helped. The services no-tolerance policy toward domestic abuse also helped as such families were mandated counselling. I saw it in action at GTMO and it did a world of good for that young couple.