The Impact of Divorce Among Marines, E-5 and Below, on Unit Operational Readiness
Abstract
This paper will explore the hypothesis that first-term Marines, mainly E-4 and below, are making ill-informed marital choices that are leading to a high rate of divorce among Marines, E-5 and below. These divorces, in turn, are having a significant negative impact on two areas of unit operational readiness: Loss of unit personnel due to suicide and loss of time to train. This paper will propose a four-part solution that will equip first-term Marines to make better marital decisions: 1) Mandatory annual training for all Marines, E-5 and below, on the realities of marriage in the Marine Corps; 2) mandatory pre- and post-marital checklists that will compel first-term Marines desiring to marry to seriously consider if they are ready to marry and alert them to the local programs that can help them if they marry; 3) an information campaign from senior enlisted leaders that promotes good marital choices and marital fidelity; and, 4) an on-line educational presentation that gives fianc s of Marines a realistic depiction of married life in the Marine Corps. First-term Marines who are better-informed should make better marital choices which, in turn, should translate into a significant decrease in the rate of divorce among Marines, E-5 and below. Consequently, a significant decrease in divorce should improve unit operational readiness by reducing the number of Marines lost to suicide and allowing more time available to train.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 12, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA584567
Entities
People
- Michael E. Foskett
Organizations
- Marine Corps University