Military Divorce Rate Increases

According to a new report issued by the Pentagon, the divorce rate among service men and women in the military has increased a full percentage point since the September 11 ^th attacks.

In the last budget year, there were approximately 27,312 divorces among the 765,000 married members of the military.  This figure includes active military personnel in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and the Air Force.

Based on these numbers the divorce rate for the fiscal year of 2009 is 3.6 percent, compared with last year’s figure of 3.4 percent.

The divorce rate among reserve members of the military has also increased, with 2.8 percent of reservist filing for divorce compared to 2.7 the previous year.

The report also indicates the divorce rate is higher among female members of the military as opposed to men.  In 2009, 7.7 percent of women filed for divorce compared to just 3 percent of men.

A reason for the increase?  Experts believe the stress of being in a war zone and the fear of dying can affect soldiers’ attitude, behavior, and personality.  Since 2001, when the first troops were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, thousands of U.S. soldiers have been killed and countless more have been injured.   In addition, the public’s support of the war has also gone down in recent years, with many Americans now opposing the war and thinking the war is no longer worth fighting for. 

Both of these factors are enough to cause someone to lash out at loved ones, become depressed or withdrawn, or simply become an angry person. 

Jacksonville divorce lawyer Scott Ellerin has vast experience handling military divorces , and is familiar with the unique issues involved in these types of divorce cases.  If you are a member of the military and are considering filing for divorce, contact Attorney Scott Ellerin today for experienced and dedicated representation.