Do military couples get divorced more often?

It is certainly true that some military couples can make their relationships last. Plenty of couples have been married for decades, even while one or both partners served.

However, statistics show that the military divorce rate is around 4.8%, according to the U.S. Census. This is higher than the average for civilians. Soldiers sometimes talk about receiving a “Dear John” letter—a letter from their spouse informing them that they want to end the relationship while the soldier is deployed. These stats help explain why this cliché exists, as military divorce rates are honestly higher. But why are they higher than civilian divorce rates?

Time apart takes a toll

A significant reason may simply be that military couples don’t spend as much time together. This isn’t just for service members deployed overseas; even those stationed in the United States may have to go to a different state for training. Military families tend to move frequently, and they don’t necessarily have the stability that civilians enjoy.

For example, even among civilian couples, reports show that having a long commute increases divorce rates, simply because it eats into the time couples spend together. Being in the military is highly demanding, and it often has the same effect.

Additionally, many military service members marry at a young age, as they may have joined the military at 18. Young marriages also have a higher divorce rate than those in which couples wait until their late 20s or early 30s.

For these reasons and more, you may find yourself facing divorce if you’re in the military. This can be complicated, so be sure you know what legal steps to take.