A military career can create multiple strains on a marriage and family relationship. The time spent on deployment and the long grueling hours can make little time for a person’s family and partners. Combining this with the constant training and regular moves to new locations and bases can cause a great deal of turmoil in a person’s domestic life.
Understanding the psyche of a soldier
Many of the qualities that make someone an effective service member may be challenging to turn off when placed back into civilian life. Those military members who have post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are 2-3 times more likely to engage in intimate partner violence. Even more pervasive is the statistic that 91% of veterans with PTSD report psychological aggression with a close partner over the previous year. It’s common for couples to fight, but the impact could have long-standing implications when that altercation escalates. Here are some ways a domestic violence charge may affect a service member:
- When both partners in a relationship are in the military, fear over demotion can be a concern for either partner.
- A report of a domestic violence incident can lead to a military investigation.
- According to the Lautenberg Amendment of the Gun Control Act, it is illegal for a person convicted of violence against a domestic partner to own a firearm. This designation may not apply to crew-served weapons systems.
- A conviction can prevent a military member from re-enlisting.
Preparing for a future military career
There is no clear-cut situation when it comes to a domestic violence incident. A charge can lead to a complicated and drawn-out process. If you’ve been charged, you need to consider the options for a viable defense.
