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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Army Battles High Divorce Rates

'Marriage education' aims to bridge gulf between love and war

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(Newser) – A jump in divorce rates since the start of the Iraq war has the Army concerned. Marriages are falling apart as soldiers return home from tours of combat duty emotionally distant and unwilling to discuss their experiences. The military has now launched 'marriage education' retreats to try and repair the damage, the New York Times reports.

The Army has already had some success in helping couples with basic communication skills but it is now aiming to directly tackle the stresses war causes. Counselors will try to bridge the split perspectives long deployments cause and help jaded veterans understand that for their spouses, marriage breakdown can be what military commanders call a "worst-case scenario."

The Army is piloting a program to help couples deal with the stresses the long separations and different perspectives long combat deployments cause.
The Army is piloting a program to help couples deal with the stresses the long separations and different perspectives long combat deployments cause.   (KRT Photos)
The Army is working to strengthen military marriages amid a rise in divorce rates since the beginning of the Iraq war.
The Army is working to strengthen military marriages amid a rise in divorce rates since the beginning of the Iraq war.   (Getty Images (by Event) Individuals)
The Army is worried about divorce rates among its troops. The rate has shot up since the launch of the Iraq war and the military has started 'marriage education' retreats.
The Army is worried about divorce rates among its troops. The rate has shot up since the launch of the Iraq war and the military has started 'marriage education' retreats.   (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
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