I knew I did not want to be a part of a military family. When my husband and I were dating, engaged, and first married he was a part of the National Guard. Luckily these were the days before 9/11 when the Guard was used mostly for it’s designed purpose. But even at that time I knew that the military does not make its decisions based on your family. When duty calls, there are no other options. This combination does not make for an easy marriage.
With the The Art of Marriage Ops we all can help the men and women who have defended our country strengthen their marriages!
- Spread The Word! Did you or someone you love serve in the military? Help us spread to word and share the app on your Facebook or Twitter! Use hashtag #marriageops ! The more people who realize this is an issue, brings us one step closer to helping more families!
- Donate! Text OPS to 80888 and donate $10.00 to help our men and women in the military strengthen their marriage by attending an event showcasing The Art of Marriage! Less than the price of two cups of coffee!
- Five Date Ideas! It’s not just military men and women who need help with their relationships. Here are five great inspirational date ideas that will help bring you closer to your partner!
In celebration of The Art of Marriage Ops one lucky Mama Report reader will win $20 Applebee’s Gift Card!
Please use the Rafflecopter entry method provided.
Winner will be verified.
Unfortunately. My best friend and her hubs are in the Army and he is being deployed this week. He is going to miss his daughters first birthday and the birth of their next child.
thankfully, no
During my first deployment, we had 12 guys in my detachment. The three guys who were married were fine but all seven of us who were dating or engaged had our relationships end during the deployment or or shortly after returning. unfortunately, not one non-married relationship lasted
I don’t know anyone in the military
yeah actually. My husband is in the airforce.
My husband isn’t in the military, but a close friend of mine is.
I haven’t been affected by anyone in the military
I have a good friend who’s husband is in Afghanistan. It is hard..she has yet in 2 years of Marriage had a Valentines or her Bday with him! This last trip, she got a dog so she could be protected and have a living creature in the home for her!
My husband is active duty army, he’s deployed twice. Only 1 out of every 3 marriages last in the military…we didn’t know this was true until we saw it happen over and over.
Mine hasn’t, but I’ve heard stories from aunts and uncles of how their marriages were during the Vietnam War period.
I don’t know anyone in the military
When my nephew was deployed it was very stranded between him and his wife for that year and now they are together again in Germany!
Sorry, I don’t have any stories 🙁
i have a cousin in the army
no….and im glad,and sad for those who have
No, I haven’t been affected.
am not married and don’t know anyone in the military.
No, luckily not me or anyone I know.
My neighbor James is in the ARMY and it has affected his marriage–He’s now divored and barely sees his daughter Mia.
My town lost 4 young men in this latest war.
No, I don’t know anyone in the military now.
Two uncles who were Navy ended up divorced because their wives found someone else. One I don’t think would have worked out anyway. She was a gold-digger.
NO
I have several friends who’s husbands are in Iraq and it is hard on their marriage.
not me, I got out of the Army before I got married!
no, I don’t know anyone in the military at this time
We have not been affected by the military, but my heart goes out to all those in the military.
I am so fortunate to say no!
Although most of the men in my family have served in years past, none of my family or friends are currently in the military. Marriages were never affected by their service.
Currently I don’t have anyone in the military.
Thank you.
Oops my fingers were too quick.
Twitter name @JalapenoMama
No, thank goodness thanks for the giveaway
ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com
not really
My best friends brother served in Iraq, and thankfully his marriage survived.
It’s funny, because my father is a now-retired Air Force colonel, and whenever I ask where he wants to go out for dinner he picks Applebee’s, because he feels they are very supportive of military families!
Thanks for the giveaway!
My brother-in-law is retired Air Force. My nephew is in the Air Force.
Don’t anyone but I always the people in service and their families in my prayers.
No thank goodness
Nope
cody_endres(at)hotmail(dot)com
No, not a marriage, but my sister’s boyfriend is a marine currently in Afghanistan.
My husband is retired from the Navy is hard on families if they are away and hard on the family member that is away. I want to thank you for this awesome sweep and hope more people understand the hardship military families. I hope to win 🙂
None
Mine hasn’t but my neigbor’s husband is in the Army, and they have 2 kids, 3 and 9 months.
No, but there are too many that have sadly.
No family members are in the military so we haven;’t been affected.
my marriage, no, my family yes. and i’m just going to leave it there.
no it hasn’t
I haven’t been affected by anyone in the military.
I am glad to be an american and I pray for thoes that are over seas and their families.
not me but someone i know and i pray for EVERY military family!!
we haven’t been affected by the military but we have a friend who is married to a marine and it is very hard for her when he is deployed
in a way my husband suffers from ptsd from the military..however we were not married when he was serving
I don’t know of anyone in the military.
My marriage has not been affected by the military, but several family members marriages have been.
It affects a good friend of mine.
No, it hasn’t.
Yes, my cousin was killed in action in 2009 on the Afghan border.
My cousin is currently serving in Afghan and his marriage just ended.
Luckily I haven’t been affected, but a co-workers son-in-law was killed in Afghanistan last year. He left behind a wife and young child. 🙁
No, mine hasn’t been affected.
No, my husband isn’t in the military.
Not in my Marriage. My dad was a Vietnam vet and was really unstable so I was affected in that way.
a young friend of the family
no it hasnt
No it hasn’t.
austma7@aol.com
My brother-in-law was in the military and it was very hard on his marriage.
I don’t know anyone who is in the Military so no.
kport207 at gmail dot com
Not married and don’t know anyone currently in the service, but my heart goes out to the families.
No it hasn’t
I have many friends who are military spouses.
no
My hubby was in the military for 8 years (7 of those we were married and we were engaged when he joined), so yes, it did/has affected it, but for the better mostly!
Mine has not
My marriage has not been affected but many of my family members are in this situation.
My neice’s hubby is a navy man…I know it’s tough on her and the kids when he is out to sea.
Someone I know. A friend just had a a baby and the husband has to go overseas for a year. That must be so tough. I cannot even imagine what all the family members will have to go through
i have 2 daughters married to marines and my son is in the air force. my 1st husband was navy, 2nd was marines and the 3rd is a marine brat. my mom’s side of the family were navy and my dad’s was air force.
A friend I know has been impacted. Luckily her husband is home from being overseas.
Thankfully NO
Regardless of having friends or relatives in the military, I think the entire USA is affected by the military. We can go about our days with much less fear than any other nation in the world. God Bless our Troops 🙂
No.
My dad was in the army and my cousin just got deployed after being married for a week. They sacrifice so much for us.
no it has not
made it stressful
Thankfully no.
NO
No one in the military now
Neither I nor my ex-wife were ever in the military, but my sister was a Navy wife for nearly 20 years, but the last year or two he was stationed across the country and they decided that my sister had to stay at the old place because their kids couldn’t move, but need her help in various ways and it was less than 2 years before his planned retirement. After a year or so her husband become too lonely and had an affair and then left her just months before his 20 year retirement when he was to return to her. Very sad situation.
I am fortunate, but my cousin’s marriage didn’t survive his tours of Afghanistan.
I grew up a military brat and got to see how it affects a family, but neither myself or my husband are in the military.
Yes my cousin is in the military
I am thankful for our servicemen and women…. but thankfully, no.
I don’t know anyone who’s marriage has been affected by the war or military, and I can only imagine the strain it can have. I’m thankful everyday for the sacrifice these military families make for our freedoms.
No it hasnt!!
Yes, my marriage has been greatly affected. My husband and I are both Army. I was retired out a couple years ago due to injuries and he is still in. After his last tour to Afghanistan we decided to divorce. With my injuries and his deployment we just couldn’t fix things because we both had issues.
Our mairrage has not been affected
nope not mine but i know it was hard for my cousin and his wife and kids.
ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com
No affect at all.
My sisters husband is in the military. He goes away quite often. I know its hard on them, but they’re still going strong!
I have a friend who is a military chaplain. He and his family are definitely affected.
Yes, I have a friend and family member in the military.
My heart breaks for those separated from their loved ones:(
i am a military spouse, i am very lucky my husband has not had to be deployed overseas
My son was in the Marines for 4 yrs 2 deployments in Iraq Not only is your child in danger every day but you are on pins and needles every day, every phone call it is horrible. My heart goes out to all the parents who are deployed who leave behind their children and spouses I know what I went thru it must be unbearable for them!
I’m not married so I can’t answer this, but I know some military couples who have had their struggles due to this.
no, but my dad was
No. Thanks for the chance.
jessycafoster@hotmail.com
Nephew just finished his time in National Guard
My cousin is in the military and he hasn’t got to see his family in months.
With my cousin being in Afghanistan for three years I’ve noticed that him and his wife have grown closer together. It’s amazing.
No, it hasn’t. Thank you!
several clients of mine are military families – you think military and marriage is hard try military and adoption!
My aunt and uncle are both in the Army. Thankfully, for their children when one was deployed, the other was home with the kids. But it really puts a strain in their relationship as husband and wife. Being apart is hard enough, then adding kids to the mix makes it even harder for them. bekki1820cb at gmail dot com
i don’t know anyone in the military
annae07 at aol dot com
It has greatly affected their lives and it’s tearing families apart!
Not me personally, but friends of ours are both in the Army.
Not mine, but several friends have – being a military spouse is NOT easy — the serve our Country along w/the Serviceperson!!!
I have a nephew in the military and he is a newlywed.
I was a military spouse years ago…it does have it’s ups and downs on a marriage.
Thankfully no. My husband was in the Army when we first got married but he got out 3 months after our wedding, the year before 9/11. I have never been so grateful.
My friends husband is in the Army and is away alot.
I was in the ANG before I was married, but it did not affect our relationship at all.
No, it has not.
Nobody I know has been affected
yes my marriage has been affected by the military and the multiple deployments that keep us apart for long periods.
Thankfully no.
My nephew’s marriage was affected from being in the military because of the stress from being away from his young children and wife and worrying about coming home. Thankfully he is home now for good.
not in the military, not even married yet, but me and my boyfriend dont let anyone come between us!
Yes, I have.
Havent been affected personally but I know how hard it is on friends to not see their spouse for solong
I don’t know anyone in the military.
My girlfriend’s life has really been affected by the military; it sounds like a very difficult life!
No. But when I was younger I dated a man in the military and it did affect us
No I don’t know anyone in the military
My husband enlisted in the Navy soon after we were married. It was a challenge to keep our marriage growing during the years he was gone so much, but I believe it made our commitment to each other even stronger.
Thankfully it hasn’t
My marriage hasn’t been affected no, but we have several friends with a spouse in the service & it can bring some hardships.
Kindra
skbaron04@hotmail.com
Nope, thankfully
no it never has been we’re truly soulmates
No problems fortunately for military families I know… both in my family
and my circle of friends. I truly hope that it stays that way.
Katharina angelsandmusic[at]gmail[dot]com
One of my son’s best friends is in the Army, and came home briefly at Christmas. Very sobering and worrisome.
Thankfullly, it has not
Thankfully no.
No me personally, but many people I know have had their martial struggles due to the military and being deployed!
I have not had a family member in the military, but I do have many former students who are currently serving
My brother in law is in the army. His family has greatly been affected through his service.
It has not affected our marriage. We have a nephew serving his third tour in Afghanistan and it has affected his marriage.
No, not at this time, though a relative is in Afghanistan, he is not married.
My brother’s marriage, divorce, and a subsequent engagement were affected by the military. He has PTSD.
My parents separated when I was young and my dad was stationed in Guam.
Not affected
My cousin was in the military
Thankfully no it has not.
My marriage hasn’t been affected by the military.
I know my nephew was sold out by his fiancee while he was serving
vmkids3 at msn dot com
Hasn’t effected my family but we have had some friends move away.
We are a Navy family but haven’t had our marriage effected in any negative way because of the Military. We try to actively avoid the Military rut though, to us it’s just like any other job one does. We avoided living on base housing and try to remain as much a normal family as we can and I really think that helps.
bakergurl02 (at) yahoo (dot) com
No, it hasn’t been
It has not affected our marriage but my uncle die in the recently war.
Thanks for the chance!
I, fortunately, have not. I think that would be an awful thing to go through amiss serving your country.
-Ashley Marie Morrissey
ashleymorrissey90(at)yahoo(dot)com
my brother in law is deployed!
Fab giveaway! thanks again! Janna Johnson
jannajanna@hotmail.com
janna @ feedyourpig on gfc
no, but my first “adult” boyfriend was deployed shortly after we broke up
My first marriage was affected by the military and it ultimately split us up.
Not my marriage but my brother-in-laws was.
My marriage directly has not been affected, but we live next to a military base, and the vast majority of my friends have married into the military, and many of their husbands are currently on leave.
I’m very thankful that my marriage hasn’t been affected.
Not me personally but I’ve seen a lot of my friends’ marriages destroyed by deployment 🙁
No, I haven’t been affected.
Yes our nephew in the navy
My husband was in the Navy for the first three years we were married. It is not an easy life, but there are good reasons to have it. I love him for his dedication to the country he loves. He still works for the Army and loves supporting his country
No, we know no one in the military.
no, we are not currently dealing with the military for either of us. my heart breaks for everyone that is.
I has in the past. My husband was in the Navy for 15 years and i spent half the year as a single mom.
i work on an air force base so i see things daily that affect their marriages
pkeintz@gmail.com
I haven’t been affected thankfully, at least not yet!
no effect on us
I am thankful my marriage has not been impacted directly by the military.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com
I haven’t been affected by anyone in the military.
Thanks!
Jenn from How to Make a Bow
learnquilling@gmail.com
It has affected a family member who served
Hubby was in the Navy reserves for 19 of the years we’ve been married, separations were hard.
nblexp ( at ) gmail (dot) com
Not really. My husband is retired military but it never affected our marriage.
Yes! My best friend’s – I’m glad we’re close for support!
Mine personally has not, but those ideas in the app are great for everyone’s marriage to keep it healthy and strong.
we have been lucky and it has not affected us.
brich22 at earthlink dot net
Yess, my husband’s on a sub so when he’s (constantly) gone we can only email. The sub has to surface to actually download our emails and send out theirs. The last time I got an email was 3 weeks ago… it sucks!
My dad just retired from the military this would be a much needed gift for he and my mom!
No
I am grateful to say that no it has not affected us.
My grandparents were both Marines, veterans of WWII. They actually met in the Corp and were married for over 65 years. So I guessso, but in a good way. Thanks for the giveaway.
My 1st husband was in the Navy and my father retired from the Army with 31 years of service!
Yes! My husband is Active Duty Army….we have a very strong marriage and the key is COMMUNICATION!
It hasn’t affected our marriage
I have seen many marriages ruined by the military
trippyjanet at gmail dot com
no i dont know anyone in this situation
My wife has 2 nephews and a niece in the miltary.
My husband is currently in the USMC and it can be rough at time and I’m not talking about just the deployments either.
The military caused a divorce to my first husband.
It’s affected a friend of mine’s. It was just too much time apart.
I do know a couple who did not make it. Very sad that this affected their marriage.
My best friend has a hard time everytime her husband leaves
No, but we have friends who are serving.
My friend is married to someone in the military and unfortunately infidelity is rampant. Her marriage is a bit rocky right now :/
Sorry this is such a downer! It’s just my experience.
My husband almost joined the military when we were dating but backed out at the very last minute.
Actually, I can’t think of anyone I know who is involved in the military who is married, so no.
no
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com
My step sons marriage was affected by all of his deployments and they ended up divorcing
I had a brother in the military in the past, but that was many years ago and it helped him get through school!
My brothers are in the military and they have difficulty dating due to being away so often in service.
Yes, my brother is in the military and has had trouble leaving his wife behind.
My brother-in-law is in the Marines. He has been previously deployed to Afghanistan but is thankfully home now and getting married in May!
no
My friend does miss her hubby being around for some holidays but she makes it work and they’ll just celebrate early!
i dont know any military families that are divorced
I have family members who have been involved in the military, but thankful they have all come out of it safely.
infamouspillow@gmail.com
No I am not in the military and I don’t know anyone currently in the military
My friend’s son and his wife moved to another country for the military.
Not affected. God bless those who serve.
I was issued an ex-wife in the military along 42% of the rest of the soldiers.
I’m not married, but I have family members who are currently serving
dhsauers(at)gmail.com
My brother-in-law was deployed to Iraq
My husband’s nephew has been away from his wife twice, each time for a year.
wallindeb@yahoo.com
Luckily no one I know has a marriage affected by the military.
My son’s marriage was ffected
A friend of mine actually separated recently because of it.
fb/ shirley greenawalt zolenski
twitter,gfc,stumble/ daveshir2005
google +/ shirley pebbles
My husband had already served in the military before we met.
I know several couples with at least one military member, but their relationships/marriages are strong at this time
I don’t know anyone in the military
No one currently..but my Dad is a vet, as is my Uncle, numberous cousins, and my two nephews.
My husband nor myself are in the military. But we are thankful for those who do serve. Thank you!!
we know 2 couples that are now separated
marygardner49 at aol dot com
Thanks for the great contest!
bahjeep@aol.com
My first marriage was affected. Definitely adds stress… My deepest respect and admiration to all who can make it work.
i am divorced from someone in the military. It was not a good experience.
No!
No it has not been effected
My son is in the military and there is always the looming considerations of him getting sent overseas…they stem from whether or not to buy a house, have a baby, etc.
my husband is not in the military, but i watch several of my friends struggle.
brittneydejajason at gmail dot com
The marriage of my friend whose hubby is in the military did not end well.
No, I am very fortunate.
My marriage hasn’t been affected by the military
I have not personally been affected by the military but I do have friends that have struggled in their marriage due to deployment issues.
reejen5 at gmail dot com
No it hasn’t affected me but I often pray for those who have it on their mind and are worried daily!
yes,my dad is in the military
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
No, not really at all.
Yes, 10 years ago my Hubby was a USMC and I found out I was pregnant, I returned back to my home state, because my hubby was going to be heading over seas (Iraq). My hubby is now a Disabled Vet, a loving hubby and dad!
My husband was in the Vietnam War. That was a long time ago, and it was before we got married, so we weren’t impacted by that. There is a woman at my work whose brother was killed by a roadside bomb. Thst is very tragic.
I don’t know anyone in the military.
my husband and I were both in the military. I know a great many friends and coworkers who managed to cope with both military and family responsibilities. Deployment is never easy but fortunately military service is a choice
My boyfriend’s brother is in the army and his wife and son had to move to Texas a few months ago. I really miss them.
No, luckily I have not been affected or anyone else I know
My marriage isn’t affected by the mlitary. But, I know of at least one couple that are both serving and have been separated early in their marriage.
Nope, a couple of ex-boyfriends but that’s it.
tdlsfm(at)gmail(dot)com
My parents actually met in the Navy. Luckily my mom was able to transfer to the same base as my father and by the time I was three my dad was able to retire, so it didn’t affect them too much.
not personally
My spouse’s family is in the military
Yes, given that I live in a military town and have several family members in the military.
No, it hasn’t. But when my cousin was killed in Iraq, it sure brought us closer together.
Mine hasn’t but I have a friend whose husband has been deployed for so long. It breaks my heart how much she misses him.
I’m a Navy wife for over 21 years. The military life is not for everyone. It is tough and has a lot of challenges that a lot of ‘civilian’ marriages don’t have to deal with. Either way, any couple has their own issues/challenges to make their way thru…..
Unfortunately No!!!
I was a military wife for 15 years. Sadly it ended in divorce.
No one in my family or any one I know has been affected by military service.
yes i can use a good meal