MARITAL CONSIDERATIONS AND THE EFFECTS OF DIVORCE ON JUNIOR SERVICE MEMBERS
Loading...
Authors
Lancaster, Geoffrey R.
Subjects
junior enlisted service member
marriage
divorce
treatment plans
substance abuse
mental health
idealistic distortion
military marriage
perverse incentives
financial incentives
culture
marriage
divorce
treatment plans
substance abuse
mental health
idealistic distortion
military marriage
perverse incentives
financial incentives
culture
Advisors
Helzer, Erik
Date of Issue
2021-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to gain a better understanding of factors that contribute to the increased likelihood of junior enlisted active-duty servicemembers marrying at a younger age than their civilian counterparts and subsequently divorcing at an increased rate. This study is designed to gain a better understanding of the beliefs and expectations that drive this marital proclivity by reviewing past literature, analyzing the divorce and marital tendencies of junior service members, and using existing data, collected from Marines and Sailors E-5 and below conducting their first enlistment, that assesses their perceptions and beliefs surrounding marriage and divorce. Prior literature indicates that the youthful marriage rate is driven by central themes, including financial incentives established by the Department of Defense (DOD) and a culture that promotes an idealistic expectation of marriage. This leads to a prevailing tendency to make life-altering decisions through an idealistic lens. Survey results indicated a desire by junior service members to rapidly mature into adulthood through marriage and an overwhelming agreement that premarital training was beneficial to the population, despite a reluctance to participate in such training. I advocate for continued exploration into evidence-informed training to educate this population regarding marriage, creating positive impacts in their personal lives, thus benefitting the force readiness posture of the DOD.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.