Marriage and Army life?
This deployment is starting to take its toll. Lately there has been quite a few soldiers upset about their wife or girlfriend back at home. Just a FYI, Fort Stewart(The post where I'm stationed at back in the States) has the highest divorce rate IN THE ARMY. Out of ALL the Army posts, we have the highest. That might be in direct result of another fact, 3rd Infantry Division is one of the most rapid deployed units in the Army. In fact there are quite a number of divorce lawyers just a stone throw away off post.
Anyway back to what I was saying, there as been quite a few soldiers that are going through some rough times with their wife or girlfriend back home. Army life and family life or girlfriends don't mix. It's just that simple. Some people try to do and end up getting burned down the road or they end up hating their wives or girlfriends later on. The "career" Army guys, the senior NCOs and Officers that have been in for 15+ years that are married, I doubt many of them can say they have a great marriage. It's just too hard to be away from your loved one for so long, its only a matter of time. Since this whole war on terrorism kicked off, the U.S. has stretched their armed forces thin. Deployments are long and frequent. They will continue to do so for at least 20 years.
If you joined the Army in 2002 and stay in till 2022, you are likely to be deployed for almost half of that time. Not to mention all the different Army schools you attend and field exercises in between those deployments. That is a lot of missed birthdays, holidays and anniversaries.
When a soldier returns home after a year long deployment and becomes reunited with their wife and kids, its never the same as before they left. They might say it is, but its not.
Bottom line, If you want to be a family man, don't stay in the Army. I Love the Army, I love my job and I love my Country, but I'm out of here after this deployment.
On to the next topic:
It's starting to get hot over here. The breeze is no relief for the heat, it's just hot air. We haven't felt the worst of it yet, it should get at least another 40 degrees hotter later this year. That I am not looking forward to. We do have A/C in our rooms and my office, but my Hummvee does not.
posted by ob1 @ 6:39 AM
1 comments
1 Comments:
First off - I don't have a clue why I haven't checked out your blog before now. I've known you on flickr for a long while now - so I apologize!
Anyway, I know this is a super-old posting but I just had to comment. Because I totally know what you mean. It's not just the Army... I think every branch has the same issue. Actually they had an article about the divorce rates being so high in the military recently, I think in the Navy Times. You know my husband is in the Navy, and man have we had problems. Like you, he's getting out after this tour. The Military life is honorable - but man, it's rough. They don't say being a "Navy wife" is the toughest job in the Navy for nothing. I'm sure it's the same with the Army. The guy is away doing his duty, following/giving orders, everything is done a certain way. While the wife is at home, taking care of everything that entails. Homecoming is sweet - but after the "honeymoon" period wears off, there's a whole lot of adjusting to do... all around.
So, I applaud you for your service, but I totally understand about you getting out - and I'm so ready myself to be done with the Military life. I'm proud of the job you, other Military members, my dad, and my husband have done - and continue to do... but personally, I'm looking forward to saying goodbye to the Military life. :)
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