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Members of the U.S. Army and the Marine Corps are going in increasing numbers to military-sponsored programs designed to help keep married couples together. The rate of divorce among both soldiers and Marines rose significantly last year, and military support services are seeing more and more troubled spouses.
Thousands of Military Divorces
There were 25,750 divorces among the active married service members of all six branches of the military in 2007. In the civilian realm, the highest rate of divorce has always been among 20 to 29-year-olds — the age group that makes up the largest percentage of the military, too.
Two Wars Providing Extra Stress
Military leaders have long acknowledged that the stresses of military life such as deployment and combat have increased in recent years as the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq take their toll on families. Multiple tours, re-deployments and the high rate of TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) are making times even harder for couples with one or both members in the military. The worsening economy adds further stress on many couples.
Strong Bonds Program
One of the Army's several relationship-building programs is "Strong Bonds," with formats for:
Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program
The Marine Corps has a two-day workshop, the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program, designed to show couples how to:
As in civilian life, the four most common marital problems in military marriages involve communication, children/parenting, money and sexual intimacy, according to spokesman Greg Gordon of the Corps' Personal and Family Readiness Division.
(Source: Air Force Link)
If you're considering divorce — whether as a member of the military or not — contact us to schedule a private consultation with a competent, knowledgeable divorce attorney who will help guide you through this difficult time.