Military-Specific Data
Military Divorce Statistics
Military divorces involve unique considerations including the Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act (USFSPA), SBP division, TSP allocation, and the 10/10/10 rule. The military divorce rate of 3.6% exceeds the civilian rate of 2.4%.
Military pensions are divided under federal law (USFSPA), not just state law. The 10/10/10 rule determines direct payment eligibility: 10+ years of marriage overlapping 10+ years of creditable service.
Military Divorce Rate
3.6%annual rate
Higher than civilian (2.4%)
Female Military
4.8%divorce rate
33% higher than male
Deployment Factor
+62%divorce risk
After 12+ month deployment
10/10/10 Rule
50%of military pensions
USFSPA protection
Divorce Rates by Military Branch (2025)
Marines have the highest divorce rate among branches, while Space Force and Coast Guard have the lowest. Female service members consistently have higher divorce rates across all branches.
| Branch | Male Divorce Rate | Female Divorce Rate | Active Duty | Est. Annual Divorces |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Army | 3.8% | 5.2% | 485,000 | 17,800 |
| Navy | 3.5% | 4.9% | 347,000 | 12,500 |
| Air Force | 3.2% | 4.4% | 329,000 | 11,200 |
| Marines | 4.1% | 5.6% | 177,000 | 7,300 |
| Coast Guard | 3% | 4.2% | 44,000 | 1,400 |
| Space Force | 2.8% | 3.8% | 14,000 | 420 |
Deployment Length and Divorce Risk
Extended deployments significantly increase divorce risk. Service members with multiple combat tours face 3.5x higher divorce rates than those never deployed.
| Deployment Length | Divorce Rate | Risk vs Baseline |
|---|---|---|
| No deployment | 2.4% | 1x |
| 1-6 months | 3.2% | 1.33x |
| 6-12 months | 4.1% | 1.71x |
| 12-18 months | 5.8% | 2.42x |
| 18+ months | 7.2% | 3x |
| Multiple combat tours | 8.5% | 3.54x |
Military Benefits Division in Divorce
Military divorces involve complex federal benefits that follow specific division rules. Understanding these rules is critical for both service members and spouses.
| Benefit | Rule | Description | Typical Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| Military Pension (USFSPA) | 10/10/10 Rule | Spouse needs 10+ years of marriage overlapping 10 years of service for direct payments | 50% of marital portion |
| Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) | Court Order Required | Death benefit annuity - can be awarded to former spouse or children | 55% of covered pension |
| TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) | QDRO Required | Federal 401(k) equivalent, divided like civilian retirement accounts | 50% marital portion |
| BAH (Basic Allowance Housing) | Support Calculation | Used to calculate child support/alimony, not directly divisible | Included in income calculations |
| TRICARE (Health Insurance) | 20/20/20 Rule | Former spouse keeps TRICARE if 20+ years married, 20+ years service, 20+ overlap | Full coverage or none |
| VA Disability | Not Divisible | VA disability compensation is NOT marital property in most states | Exempt from division |
Understanding the 10/10/10 Rule
The 10/10/10 rule determines if the former spouse can receive direct payment from DFAS (Defense Finance and Accounting Service):
- 10 years of marriage
- 10 years of creditable military service
- 10 years of overlap between marriage and service
If these criteria are met, DFAS pays the former spouse directly. If not, the service member must make payments themselves - the spouse is still entitled to the pension division, just not direct payment.
Top Reasons for Military Divorce
Military families face unique stressors that civilian couples don't experience, including frequent relocations, deployments, and career sacrifices for spouses.
Frequent relocations (PCS)
48% cite this
Extended deployments
45% cite this
PTSD / mental health
38% cite this
Infidelity (separation-related)
32% cite this
Communication breakdown
52% cite this
Financial stress
28% cite this
Spouse career sacrifices
35% cite this
Full Data Access
Complete Statistics Report
Get the complete United States divorce data with all 50 state comparisons
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3-Year Trend DataHistorical comparison showing rate changes over time
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Military Divorce by State
Where you file for divorce matters. States with large military populations have courts experienced with USFSPA and military benefits division.
| State | Military Population | Venue for Military | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 164,000 | Very favorable | Large military presence |
| California | 159,000 | Neutral | Community property state |
| Virginia | 127,000 | Favorable | Near Pentagon, military courts |
| North Carolina | 93,000 | Favorable | Fort Bragg, Camp Lejeune |
| Florida | 92,000 | Neutral | Multiple bases |
Unique Military Divorce Considerations
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
SCRA allows active duty members to postpone divorce proceedings if military duties prevent participation. 90-day minimum stay can be granted.
Concurrent Retirement & Disability
CRDP allows some retirees to receive both pension and VA disability. This complicates division as VA disability is generally not divisible.
Residency Requirements
Military families can file in state of legal residence, state where stationed, or spouse's home state - providing forum shopping opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the military divorce rate compared to civilians?
The military divorce rate is 3.6% annually compared to 2.4% for civilians - about 50% higher. Female service members have even higher rates at 4.8%, partly due to dual-military marriages being more common.
What is the 10/10/10 rule in military divorce?
The 10/10/10 rule determines direct payment eligibility from DFAS. If there were 10+ years of marriage, 10+ years of creditable service, and 10+ years of overlap, the former spouse receives direct payment. Otherwise, the service member must pay the ex-spouse themselves.
Is military pension always split 50/50?
No. The former spouse is only entitled to a portion of the marital share - the pension earned during the marriage. A 20-year career with 10 years married means 50% is marital property, of which the spouse may get up to half.
Can I keep TRICARE after military divorce?
Only if you meet the 20/20/20 rule: 20+ years of marriage, 20+ years of military service, 20+ years of overlap. Otherwise, you lose TRICARE coverage upon divorce (with transitional benefits in some cases).
Navigating a Military Divorce?
Splitifi helps military families navigate the complexities of USFSPA, SBP, TSP, and benefit division with AI-powered guidance and document automation.
Cite This Page
Splitifi. "Military Divorce Statistics: Rates, Benefits Division & USFSPA." Splitifi.com, February 2026, https://www.mysplitifi.com/statistics/military-divorce-statistics