There are many Georgia residents who are also active duty members of the United States Armed Forces. While it is a rewarding endeavor to serve the country, there is no doubt that the necessary sacrifices can place certain strains on a marital relationship. Often, this can lead to a divorce. Many issues come to the forefront in a military divorce and those involved should remember the importance of legal help that understands the unique challenges military members and their spouses may face.
Statistics show military divorce rates relatively unchanged
Divorce rates can fluctuate for everyone whether they are in the military or not. The most recent numbers show that divorce frequency for service members has remained relatively stable for the past five years. According to the Pentagon, 3% to 3.1% of married service members have gotten divorced from 2014 to 2019. To come to its conclusions, the Pentagon uses the number of active duty troops who were married at the start of the fiscal year and then calculates how many got divorced during the year.
Researchers suggest that there is a certain level of stability with the divorce rate. Female troops tend to get a higher number of divorces. This is independent of whether they are enlisted or are officers. Females service members divorced at about three times the rate of male service members. In 2019, women comprised 7% of divorces; men came in at 2.5%. Enlisted members get divorced more often than officers at 3.5% vs. 1.7%. Gender is not factored in with this comparison. The Air Force and Marine Corps are tied with the most divorces. The fewest are in the Navy. The military has sought to assist couples with their marital challenges, but it has not shown in lowering the number of divorces taking place.
Legal advice from a firm experienced in military divorce may be essential
Although these numbers show that most military marriages remain intact, it is a reality that some will end in divorce. There are fundamental differences between military divorces and civilian ones that can be complicated. This may require experienced legal advice to navigate the terrain of child custody, spousal support, child support, pensions, access to military installations, medical benefits and more. Consulting with a firm that understands military divorce can be helpful with a case. Calling for advice is imperative.
