How to Cope With Having a Marine Boyfriend

A soldier benefits from a strong, stable home to return to.

It can be a painful, terrifying experience to know that the government can call up your Marine boyfriend and put him into harms way, at any point, to defend your nation. The stress only gets worse while your boyfriend is overseas and often unable to contact you as much as you would like. You can develop your own support group, filled with people who love you and your boyfriend, with whom you can share your feelings and help each other cope with your boyfriend's career as a Marine.

Instructions

1. Build a support group out of your closest friends, your family and his family. Invite your support group together regularly, spending time with each or together as a group. Plan regular events with your support group such as holiday gatherings, or see a movie together. Take turns going to each other's homes for dinner. Connect to the other people in your boyfriend's life, affected by his military career, and give each other an outlet to discuss feelings and reservations about his career. Give your boyfriend of peace of mind to know that his entire family, you included, are coming together at home while he is away fighting for his country.

2. Find online outlets for support, such as online discussion forums or blogging. Use these outlets to discuss your feelings and receive valuable advice from others going through the same experience. Use online forums, such as the Military Significant Other Support website, which are available to you at any time, night or day, and regularly visited by relatives of military personnel.

3. Learn about the military, the Marines and the history of which your boyfriend is a part. Teach yourself what you can expect, such as changing travel plans, deployment necessities and the military lifestyle. Use this information to talk to your boyfriend about his career, showing him that you understand his career choice and that you respect it. Prepare yourself with this information for the challenges of dating a Marine.

4. Build your own life to avoid focusing everything in your life around your boyfriend's career. Go to school and finish your education, or find work in your town. Begin working on your own career goals and planning your own life. Use these experiences to focus your mind on things in your life other than your boyfriend's career, but also to give you the independence you need.

5. Consult a therapist if you continue having trouble coping with your boyfriend's military career. Discuss your concerns with your therapist and let her help you work through any lingering reservations about your boyfriend's deployment.

References

• Date a Soldier: Date a Deployed Soldier
• MacDill Air Force Base; Family Issues -- Deployment Support; March 2011

Resources

• Military SOS