Abusers tend to be young and newly married. About 49 percent were under age 26. About 57 percent were in the military less than seven years and 32 percent, less than four years. About 57 percent were married for less than three years. DoD families face challenges unique to the military lifestyle, Becraft said.
Frequent deployments cause family separations, and frequent moves disrupt family lifestyles.
Our families move approximately every three years, often to another part of the world. This means our families are frequently packing and unpacking, enrolling their children in new schools, switching physicians and dentists, getting acquainted with new neighbors and getting to know new environments and new cultures. Young families are often adjusting to new marriages and military life simultaneously, DoD officials said. Being away from home and extended family support networks often make the spouse psychologically dependent on the service member. Unemployment and underemployment of military spouses often create financial dependence on the servicemember.