Rate of military divorce remains unchanged in past year

The concern for the struggles military couples have faced over the years has led to policy changes in several branches of the armed services. Awareness is growing for the troubles military couples face in Florida and across the country, and some branches are offering more services and resources to help keep marriages together. The Pentagon keeps data related to marriages among members of the armed services, and each year, the government releases an analysis of the data.

In 2017, there was no discernable rise in the overall rate of divorce in the military, holding at around 3 percent. The Pentagon calculates its marriage and divorce rates based on total numbers of troops, whereas the overall divorce rate in the U.S. is calculated using representative populations. However, the divorce rate for military couples is relatively close to that of the general population although certain branches, such as the Marines, have much higher numbers.

Women in the military, especially the Marines, continue to have more marital struggles than their male counterparts, and their divorce rates go up almost every year. Additionally, researchers are intrigued by the recent decline in marriages among the troops. Because this is similar to the decline among the general population, analysts speculate that more young people are rejecting traditional support systems such as marriage and seeking their fulfillment in other ways.

Because military divorce has elements that are unique to it, including those related to the division of assets and child custody issues, many in Florida find the process intimidating and overwhelming. Knowing that one’s rights are fully protected from beginning to end is essential to having a secure future after the settlement. This is why is it critical to have a divorce attorney who is familiar with the special circumstances involved in military divorce.