Military Divorce Rate: What You Need to Know
Thomas Fine - August 16, 2024
While there are many happy couples where one or both spouses are service members in the military, the military divorce rate still remains high. There are a few different factors that can contribute to this divorce rate, and it’s important to know the impact of certain factors on a military marriage.
Our article tells you more about the military divorce rate and how to discover if someone you are seeing has been previously divorced.
What Is the Military Divorce Rate?
The military divorce rate refers to the divorce rate between couples where one, or both, spouses are in the military. This divorce rate can vary between different branches of the military, and it also varies between active-duty and retired military members, in addition to differences between enlisted service members and officers in each branch.
In general, the military divorce rate is higher than the divorce rate for couples comprised of non-service members. While the divorce rate for couples in the United States stays around 2.4 percent, the divorce rate for those in the military hovers around three percent.
Of course, there are specific statistics for each branch of the military, but these rates tend to stay around the two to three percent mark. There are minor differences depending on the branch, active duty status, and the title of the military member.
Factors That Contribute to Military Divorce Rates
A number of different factors may contribute to military divorce rates. One or more of these factors may be at play in any military divorce, though every situation and couple is different.
If you have questions about why someone in the military is divorced, or if you are planning on marrying a service member, it helps to keep these factors in mind. Then, you know what to be aware of when considering this commitment.
Relocations
Frequent relocations – an average of one relocation every two to three years – can contribute significantly to stress between couples. The non-enlisted spouse may have trouble finding a new job every few years and settling in, and any children that a couple share might find themselves dealing with the difficulties of moving around often.
If a couple cannot communicate effectively and work through the stress associated with frequent relocations, it can contribute to divorce.
Infidelity
Infidelity can be traumatic, and both deployed or active-duty service members and spouses who are left at home may engage in affairs or some other kind of infidelity.
Infidelity is one of the leading causes of divorce. Partners who do not trust each other or actively engage in adulterous behavior may find themselves dealing with a divorce once the truth comes to light.
Deployments
Long deployments can be stressful and frustrating for both spouses.
The spouse that remains at home may have to deal with the majority of the childcare or other household work without the support of their partner. The partner who is on deployment may also deal with traumatic and stressful issues, leading to resentment, a lack of communication, and trouble between the spouses.
Over time, this can lead to the need for divorce.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence perpetration tends to be higher among military service members and members of the law enforcement community, something that leads to issues in military marriages. Domestic violence occurrence can contribute to the higher divorce rate among military couples as the victim of domestic violence seeks to end their marriage and seek a safe space.
Mental Health Issues
The mental health impact of service in the military is well-known, though there are not nearly as many resources for retired and current service members as is needed.
Mental health issues can put a strain on a marriage. Couples may find themselves needing to separate or divorce if one spouse is struggling with maintaining their marital responsibilities or needs time to start healing their mental health conditions.
How Do Military Couples Obtain a Divorce?
While every state has a different set of laws regarding military divorces, couples will generally need to file for divorce in the state where one spouse has legal residency. Or, couples can divorce in the state where an active-duty spouse is stationed.
In most cases, it is helpful for military couples to obtain a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement before or during their marriage. A divorce lawyer who specializes in military divorces is often essential to finalizing this process.
How Can I Tell if Someone Is Divorced?
Figuring out if someone is divorced can be difficult, as the person you are dating might hide their divorce well.
However, you can perform some online searching to locate civil court records that may indicate a person has previously been divorced. These records are typically accessible to the public. You will need to perform a search of your county’s records office, or a general online search, to find the information you need to know.
Signs That Someone Is Hiding Their Divorce From You
Navigating the dating world is hard enough. This can become even more complicated if you suspect that your partner is secretly divorced or still married and hiding their marital status from you. Some signs to look out for that indicate someone may be hiding their divorce or marital status from you include:
- Your partner doesn’t speak about their friends or family to you, or they attempt to hide you from their friends or family.
- Your partner never lets you near their phone or other devices, or they appear to have multiple phones.
- Your partner may or may not wear a wedding ring occasionally around you, or they have a wedding ring stored somewhere in their home.
- Your partner does not discuss marriage with you, or they won’t answer your questions when you ask about getting married and their marital history.
- Your partner is secretive, or they become emotionally and physically withdrawn when you discuss topics surrounding marriage or divorce.
Additionally, if you have suspicions that someone is hiding their marital status from you, you can look up a person online. If the person isn’t being too careful, or if they have public records in their name, you may be able to discover their true marital status this way.
Understanding the Military Divorce Rate
Divorce is something that many couples may end up going through, and this process is rarely easy. The stress that both sides of a military couple may experience often contributes to higher divorce rates. It is very important to understand the reasons behind the military divorce rate before entering into a marriage with a service member.
If you suspect someone is hiding their military divorce from you, you can search this information online and look through public records to get the truth about who you are dating.