Here are the top three challenges military wives and families face in today's complex world.

1. Deployment Stress:

One of the most significant challenges faced by military families is the emotional toll of deployments. Extended periods of separation can strain relationships and create an atmosphere of uncertainty at home. Spouses left behind often bear the weight of maintaining the household, parenting alone, and coping with the anxiety of not knowing when or if their loved one will return. The mental health of both the serving member and the family becomes a focal point of major concern.

2. Reintegration Struggles:

While the return of a deployed service member is an anticipated cause for celebration, the process of reintegration presents its own set of challenges. Families must readjust to having their loved one back home, while the returning member may find it difficult to assimilate into a family dynamic that has evolved in their absence. Both spouses have grown and changed during deployment. Additionally, they must deal with additional, burdensome issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), communication breakdowns, and changes in former roles and responsibilities that often strain relationships during this crucial period.

3. Employment and Limited Support Systems:

Military families often find themselves far from the traditional support networks enjoyed by civilians. Frequent moves make it challenging to establish long-lasting connections in local communities; thus, the transient nature of military life can lead to feelings of isolation, homesickness, and depression. Access to mental health resources, as well as the stigma associated with seeking help for active military personnel, educational support, and other essential services may be limited, compounding the difficulties faced by military families. Career mobility and spousal employment is a major concern due to frequent relocation, which makes local employers reluctant to hire or invest in them. 

As a society, recognizing and appreciating the sacrifices made by military families is the first step towards building a stronger and more compassionate community that honors their service and sacrifice alongside that of our brave men and women in uniform. Military wives can feel disconnected, uncertain, and insignificant, due to their lack of autonomy in making critical life decisions for their family. Many career military personnel view their mission as ‘a calling,’ leaving wives/families to feel secondary to the mission.

 According to a report based on U.S. Census Bureau data, those who have served in the military have the highest divorce rate of any career field (June 22, 2023).