If you or your spouse is a military service member, you will know that the nature of service can challenge even the most resilient of relationships. Being in the military can mean that you have to deal with uncertainty about the future, and the possibility of being called on active duty can often create tension and fear in the family unit.
If you are struggling in your marriage as a military service member or as a military spouse, you must take the time to address the nature of the challenges you are facing in your relationship. By doing so, you will have a better chance of improving your marital situation for both yourself and any children that you have.
Jealousy in a military marriage
The demands of military service can cause many married couples to experience feelings of jealousy, paranoia and mistrust. When military service members go on active duty, they may be away from their family for many months at a time. During this time, many married couples deal with fears about infidelity, and this can be persistent enough to cause a breakdown in the marriage. You must be able to communicate with your spouse maturely about the fears and insecurities that you have. You should also have a plan for how it can be possible to express affection and reassure each other during the time apart.
Coping with uncertainty
It’s common for children of military service members to have separation anxiety and dread regarding the possibility of their parent leaving them to go on active duty. Often, parents can’t reassure their children about this since the possibility is a real one. Dealing with this can create tensions in a marriage, and resentment can occur. Going through counseling as a family might help you to build trust as a family and to cope with the uncertainties of life.
You must invest time to deal with marital problems as soon as they arise because ignoring them could lead to the breakdown of your marriage. If you believe that divorce is the best option for you, you should make sure to be aware of the challenges that arise in a military divorce.
