Posted on Jun 7, 2016
Is divorce more prevalent in military life than civilian life?
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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.
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.
Divorce
Military Life
Civilians
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 6
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
"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.
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SSG Carlos Madden
However I just found a number from Military OneSource that says it was 4.1%. It doesn't sound like there is consistency in the methodologies.
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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.
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PO3 Sherry Thornburg
Apparently, divorce rates are not comparable between military and civilian poplations due to the way they are recorded. What I recalled to you was just for the Navy and just for married sailors. It wasn't taking in the whole Naval population. I did a quick google and found this.
https://www.oceansidedivorcelawfirm.com/military-divorce-infographic.html
It doesn't talk about just marriage statistics. So it doesn't really answer the question, but it was the best I could do for now. There was an article that alluded that marriages are stronger since 9/11 within the service due to the wake up factor of what the risks involved are. Those marrying after 9/11 seem to be better prepared or informed of the stresses and issues involved.
https://www.oceansidedivorcelawfirm.com/military-divorce-infographic.html
It doesn't talk about just marriage statistics. So it doesn't really answer the question, but it was the best I could do for now. There was an article that alluded that marriages are stronger since 9/11 within the service due to the wake up factor of what the risks involved are. Those marrying after 9/11 seem to be better prepared or informed of the stresses and issues involved.
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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.
Really the stresses placed on active duty military families are many and I think those marriages that survive are noteworthy.
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SSgt Ryan Sylvester
Depends if the second marriage started during service. Treat it like any other service-connected disability.
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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.
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SGT (Join to see)
Their entire 20 years? That's amazing. If that happens they can't expect to stay married.
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SGM Joel Cook
SGT (Join to see) - no he meant from age 20 to 29 deployed. While I was in 2nd BCT, 10th Mountain we had deployment junkies that volunteered to change BNs to fill vacant critical slots. The BDE was happy to get the slots filled to make the BN FMC. After about four years they forced these people to move on to another Division Command.
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PVT Amos A.
SGM Joel Cook - Exactly what I meant, thanks for clarifying that.
Yes, guys who would join up at 18 or 19 and spent the entire 10-13 years going downrange. And if they couldnt get a ride with one of our battalions theyd go with a SMU or agency.
As far as the older guys, the first half of their careers would be fairly stable, then the last 10 years or so was spent going to Iraq, Afghanistan, and South/Central America. Hell, some of our guys lived in Panama or Costa Rica and were buying property in Bolivia and Columbia. Many of the older careerists would rotate as a contractor often working for us! Or another SOF unit or rather.
Craziness......
Yes, guys who would join up at 18 or 19 and spent the entire 10-13 years going downrange. And if they couldnt get a ride with one of our battalions theyd go with a SMU or agency.
As far as the older guys, the first half of their careers would be fairly stable, then the last 10 years or so was spent going to Iraq, Afghanistan, and South/Central America. Hell, some of our guys lived in Panama or Costa Rica and were buying property in Bolivia and Columbia. Many of the older careerists would rotate as a contractor often working for us! Or another SOF unit or rather.
Craziness......
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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.
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SGT (Join to see)
Thanks for sharing SFC (Join to see). When I worked shift work I was an adrenaline junky. I worked all the overtime I could get. My ex just couldn't keep up. In my PTSD classes, they said a lot war time vetetans with PTSD, become adrenaline junkies. They have to be busy all of the time
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