	Since Vets Day 1996

Back to Home Page

Marriage and the Military

by Glen R. Taylor
Military Network Columnist

Serving as a member of the armed forces is a unique career. The nature of military life makes for challenges and experiences not found in any other type of job, and this affects not just the service-member, but his or her spouse as well. As a married soldier, the burden is on you to help your dependents adapt to military life.

Learn to Be Together, Even When Apart

The most obvious difference between military and civilian jobs is the amount of time a service-member spends away from home. Especially with today's operational tempo, a soldier should expect to be regularly deployed for periods lasting longer than a year. And while some strategic jobs allow soldiers to remain in garrison for an entire tour, soldiers are still called on for training that takes them away from their family for a month or more at a time. Simply understanding this fact, talking about it, and accepting it helps a lot. Even more help can be found in frequent letters while deployed, and in taking advantage of morale phone calls and videoconference opportunities.

Employment Challenges

A military job is highly mobile. A soldier must expect to relocate every three years--often without knowing his destination until just before the official move date. Military spouses who wish to work must face the challenge of finding employers sympathetic to short-term employment goals and the need for constant relocation. Today's technology, however, provides an answer. Many jobs allow military spouses to telecommute to work via Internet. Freelance writing, data entry, and teaching distance learning classes are all careers that make use of telecommuting opportunities.

About the Author
1LT Glen R. Taylor has served in the U.S. Army since 1994. He has been both and enlisted man and an officer, and has worked in military intelligence and armor. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from Chaminade University of Honolulu.

Back to Article Archive