Military Divorce Statistics

• Divorce among military members
• Higher marriage rate, higher divorce rate
• Military divorce rate vs. other professions
• Getting help with a military divorce
• References

Divorce statistics among the general population have hovered close to 50% for quite a while now. Whether you're a married person or someone who thinks they might get married someday, it's understandable that may be curious about these divorce stats.  In this post, we're going to take a closer look at military divorce statistics.

Divorce among military members

A peculiar trend has emerged within military communities. According to the Pew Research Center, active servicemembers today are not only more likely to be married, but they are also more likely to be married to fellow servicemembers.

This presents a unique dynamic unseen in civilian marriages. Servicemember couples share a deeper understanding of one another’s experiences, as both people belong to the service. They may also share some stressors that non-military couples do not experience.

Higher marriage rate, higher divorce rate

The story doesn't end there. The divorce rate among active-duty servicemembers has risen significantly, increasing from 2.9% in 2000 to 4.0% in 2009. This leads us to ask: What factors contribute to this increase? And more importantly, how can military families navigate these challenges?

Disrupted family life

One of the most obvious factors that may contribute to military divorce is the strain of prolonged separations because of deployments, which can lead to emotional disconnect, loneliness, and a lack of communication. Add to this the burden of frequent relocations, which can disrupt family stability, and the high-stress nature of military work, and you have a recipe for marital discord.

When both spouses serve in the military, they must navigate their careers alongside their personal lives. It can be tough to balance the demands of one’s duties with the needs of their family. As such, a dual-military marriage, while rich in shared understanding and camaraderie, could also be fraught with tension and conflict

Addressing the challenges 

Understanding the challenges unique to military marriage is the first step toward addressing them. For military couples, there are resources available, including marital counseling, support groups, and legal advice that can help navigate the complex terrain of military divorce.

It's important to remember that while the statistics may seem daunting, they are just numbers. Every marriage is unique, and knowledge is power. Understanding the specific challenges of military life can equip couples with the tools they need to strengthen their relationships and weather the storms ahead.

Military divorce rate vs. other professions

Regardless of profession, About half of all first marriages end in divorce. For subsequent marriages, the failure rates are even higher. 

How does this picture change when we examine divorce rates in the military profession?

Military divorce rates paint a sobering picture compared to other professions. For instance, careers in fields like healthcare or education, despite their stresses, do not exhibit the same elevated divorce rates as seen in the military. 

This disparity may reflect the unique challenges faced by military couples, from prolonged separations and frequent relocations to high-stress work environments. But it's important to remember that statistics only reveal so much. Each marriage is a world unto itself. Recognizing the specific challenges of military life is crucial in fortifying relationships against these pressures.

Getting help with a military divorce

If you’re a military member who is thinking about divorce or getting divorced, you don’t have to navigate this alone.

At Hello Divorce, we're here to guide you through every step of the process. Whether you’re a military servicemember who just got served divorce papers or a civilian looking at an uncontested divorce, we offer clear, concise legal advice tailored to your needs. 

Our team is friendly, efficient, and ready to help make this easier on you. Want to learn more? Schedule a free 15-minute call to speak with someone about the possibilities

References