Pentagon Says Marriages No Big Military Problem

Military marriages may be risky for the couples but pose no major risks to national readiness, the Pentagon said in a study released Monday.

The study pointed to a “fundamental paradox”--that while strong marriages contribute to successful long-term careers, marriages “may impose particularly heavy burdens” for new service members.

The study was commissioned by Defense Secretary Les Aspin in August after the Marine Corps Commandant, Gen. Carl E. Mundy Jr., approved a plan to discontinue enlisting married men and women in 1995.

Mundy, later ordered by Aspin to withdraw the plan, expressed concern about the difficult problems young married Marines face because they spend more than half their time on duty away from their home bases.

The report concluded that marriage can influence readiness, “although the effects are mixed and small and tend to be swamped by factors other than family status.”

Among the problems, it said married service members tend to be slightly less available for duty. It said two-thirds of those with dependents report major problems in responding to deployments, compared to one-third of single members.

“If you’re a Marine, you’re going to have to pack that bag and head out alone,” said Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Cravey, 40, of Alabama, who is stationed at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. “Most of the time we’re floating on a boat, waiting to jump on somebody.”

“When deployment occurs, we understand that the whole family faces many challenges,” said Cpl. Stephen N. Ongley, Marine Corps spokesman at El Toro. “There are a number of services and organizations that meet the needs of our Marine families: wives’ clubs, key volunteers, family service centers at El Toro and Tustin, as well as a variety of other organizations. These organizations help Marines and their families to remain in contact, and to find support during the times when they’re separated.”

But the report also concluded that “there are thousands of young first-term married service members and their families who serve their country in an exemplary fashion, bravely and without complaint.”