"Uniforms and Wedding Bells"
Why So Many Soldiers Rush to the Altar
Why So Many Soldiers Rush to the Altar
by Emily Rasmussen
There’s a joke that my father always makes about “drinking the water” when you join the service; and once you join, you either love it, or you don’t. Is there some truth in this joke? Does that go for marriage proposals as well? What is it about “drinking the water” that makes young men so eager to head to the alter and start a family? Is it the pay increase? Does the chance of war light a fire under their butts to find a wife?
The best way to get the answers to these questions is to go straight to the source; to ask those who have experienced it firsthand. Here’s what I found:
One of the sources I spoke to, recently got out of the Marines-he asked to remain anonymous, so that’s what we’ll refer to him as. During our interview, he explained that he’s seen many military marriages fail. A lot of it has to do with the distance. Apparently, many Marines get married on their 10 day leave between boot camp and MCT. You’re away from your significant other and the ones you love and marriage becomes a way for them to come with you. It also comes with an increase in housing allowance and payment-especially if you’re being deployed.
Apparently, some people have even been known to have gotten married right before their deployment and then divorced right after they return home for the payment increase alone!
This sneaky plan doesn’t however, always workout in the soldier’s favor. Some wives take all of their money while they’re gone one deployment, leaving some soldiers unable to even buy necessities such as soap!
But are these men pre-warned about stuff like this beforehand? Apparently, yes. Anonymous said that they are actually discouraged not to get married. So they’re fore-warned and yet, still so many do it.
Corpora Poaletti, Angelo F. was one of the many who made the leap of faith when he was a young lad. He married at the age of 19 to his high school sweetheart. “One, I thought I was in love…I’m in the Philippines, far from home, and I get married, and my spouse can come.” Poaletti said. He proceeded to state that maybe he was in love at that point, though that’s not to say that the fact of his spouse being able to come over with him didn’t influence his decision.
But what inspires girls to do this? What makes women as quick to take their vows as men? Simple, women are romantics at heart. They like the idea of love and of being loved. The idea of a solider inspires this feeling of safety and maturity, which causes them to imagine a life of marriage, children, the whole shebang. Also, the paid housing and steady income makes one feel more grown-up and ready for the idea of marriage and a family.
Though some military marriages seem to be based on some not so sound motives, that doesn’t mean all of them are. The moral of the story is this: when deciding upon something as permanent and serious as marriage, think twice, make sure it’s for the right reasons, and follow your heart.
Semper Fi Devil Dogs!
