Divorce Rate Increases for Military Couples in 2008

USAtoday.com is reporting that enlisted soldiers in the Marines have divorced their spouses at a higher rate in 2008 than any other time in the past 16 years.  This report was based upon data that was released by the Pentagon this past Tuesday.

The report states that approximately 4% of married enlisted troops in the U.S. Army and Marines (8,842 GIs and 2,842 Marines) filed for and obtained divorces in 2008.  The data shows an upward trend in the divorce rate since 2003 for those in the Army and 2005 for those in the Marines.

From the years 2007 - 2008, there was a 5.4% increase in divorces for soldiers and an 11% increase for Marines. 

Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said that divorces usually result from lengthy separations and also the stress associated with numerous years of combat. 

Due to the war in Iraq, many soldiers had their combat tours extended.  In 2008, the tours were extended to 15 months for some and numerous soldiers were only able to return home for a year before they were deployed again by the military. 

Pentagon data also reports that mental health problems for soldiers are on the rise.  Many soldiers suffer from post traumatic stress disorder and depression, which may be contributing to the higher number of divorces. 

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