Deployment for Military Couples

I'm in a serious relationship and we're both considering the military as a post-high school option. Curious about military couples, is it common for them to get deployed a lot? Are deployments typically simultaneous, or do they stagger them?

The deployment schedules in the military can often be unpredictable and depend on various factors such as the branch of service, job role, and global events at the time. To answer your question, yes, military couples do get deployed. However, oftentimes, the deployments are not simultaneous due to differences in roles, ranks or branches of the military.

In some cases, the military tries to coordinate assignments for married military couples, aiming to keep them together as much as possible. This is referred to as the Join Spouse Program. It allows married active-duty military couples to be stationed near each other. However, this isn't a guarantee due to mission requirements, branch of service, and the demands of certain jobs or roles in the military.

You should be prepared for a high possibility of different deployment schedules which may lead to time apart. It's also key to remember that the nature of military service does entail frequent moves and long periods away from home, even outside of deployment. This lifestyle presents unique challenges for couples, but with communication, planning and mutual understanding, many military couples do navigate these circumstances successfully.

Remember to have conversations about this option with your partner, and also gain advice from military service members who can give you an insight into what you can expect. Take into consideration your own individual career goals and prospects outside of your relationship when making this significant decision.