Hey all, I've been dating someone for awhile now who is considering the military path. He's amazing and I want a future with him, but I'm slightly terrified about him getting deployed, especially considering we're thinking about getting married soon. Could someone with military experience shed some light on this situation? Like, how likely is it that he'll be deployed after we get married? A little stressed here.
The aspect of deployment is an inherent part of military life, and the likelihood of that occurring depends on several factors such as your partner's military branch, his job within that branch, and the current global circumstances to name a few.
To provide an example, if your partner ends up in a branch like the Marine Corps or the Army, which are combat-oriented branches, the chances of deployment, at least at some point, tend to be high. The same is true for those serving in military jobs with a direct combat role- it's more likely they will face deployment.
Conversely, if your partner is in a largely non-combat role in a branch like the Air Force or the Coast Guard, the frequency of deployments may be less though it's not a guarantee. What's guaranteed is that service members must be ready and willing for deployment if and when they are needed.
Having said that, the duration and location of deployments also vary considerably. They could range from several months to a year, and locations may be conflict zones or areas simply needing assistance and support.
Marriage doesn't directly influence the potential for deployment. However, the military does provide support systems for families of service members such as counseling, and community programs to name a couple.
It would be a good idea to have open and candid conversations with your partner about his potential career in the military and what that would mean for both of you. You might also find it helpful to seek advice from other military spouses, who can offer first-hand experience and insights on coping with the challenges and the changes that could come. It can be daunting, but with the right support and resources, many military spouses have successfully navigated through such situations.
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