Recent data from the General Social Survey show that 20% of married men are likely to cheat on their partner. The same survey reports that 13% of married women could sexually cheat on their spouses too.
Military infidelity statistics show that about 2 out of 10 cheating servicemen will file for divorce. Also, some reports suggest that as much as 3 out of 10 military wives cheat while their spouse is in service.
That’s why this article goes the distance to gather enough statistics about cheating military spouses.
Information in this post goes both ways and covers servicemen/women and their spouses. It’ll be quite easy to get a balanced idea of stats about infidelity involving veterans.
Table of Contents
1. There is only one code for meting out punishments to cheating veterans
UCMJ
The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) has a penal code for administering punishments to adulterous servicemen. Under the Extramarital Sexual Conduct (ESC) section, the UCMJ recommends a dishonorable discharge for servicemen found to be engaging in adultery.
Several punishments are recommended in the ESC, and the severity of cheating offenses might lead to a full punishment.
2. About two-thirds of cheating military couples file for divorce
National Library of Medicine
A published study looked at the percentage of infidelity among deployed US servicemen. Findings from the study show that about 21% of servicemen studied were engaged in acts of infidelity before deployment.
The study also revealed that at least 22% of servicemen admitted to engaging in infidelity after deployment. Other findings showed that over 70% of cheating servicemen filed for divorce during the deployment cycle.
3. 20 – 30% military wives cheating statistics count when a spouse is in service
CBS News
Cheating military spouses during deployment courses are within 20 – 30% likely to cheat on their partner, regardless of gender. Servicemen/women engage in extramarital affairs while on deployment, however, actual numbers are disputed.
4. A combination of 3 or more signs could indicate a cheating military spouse
military.com
Several signs might point to cheating from a military spouse, especially right after deployment. But based on the challenges deployed soldiers face, some of these signs may be misdiagnosed as stress or PTSD.
5. There are two (2) hotlines to report military cheating (US veterans only)
Spouses of servicemen can report suspected infidelity through the Military One Source Hotline (1-800-342-9647). Spouses who report their cheating military partner through this contact will be able to file a restricted report.
Spouses who suspect cheating from their military partners can also contact the Army through 1-844-ARMY-CID.
6. Divorce rates among female veterans is three (3) times more than that of male servicemen
military.com
Higher divorce rates are recorded among female veterans than their male counterparts.
Data shows that about 2.3 – 2.8% of male veterans ever get divorced after deployment, compared to 8% of servicewomen. High divorce rates among servicewomen is consistent across studies and is attributed to different factors.
7. Military infidelity statistics is almost two times higher than that of married non-veterans
The Atlantic
Recorded military cheating statistics hover around 32% in a recent study. However, infidelity stats among non-married veterans is just over 16%
8. The 20/20/20 rule does not apply to a cheating military spouse
UCMJ
The 20/20/20 rule applies to military spouses after a divorce, allowing the non-serving partner to get several benefits. Common benefits available from the 20/20/20 rule involve spousal support, healthcare, and more.
In other cases, the rule might guarantee partners of former service members a part of their spouses’ retirement benefits.
Spouses that have been married 20 years while their spouse has been in service for the same period qualify. However, there might be exceptions for military couples with a cheating service partner.
The Extramarital Sexual Conduct code of the UCMJ defines dishonorable discharge, pay forfeiture, and 12months confinement as punishment for adultery. Full interpretation of this punishment will deprive a cheating military spouse access to several benefits previously available.
The same code also applies to 10/10/10 military couples where the serving spouse is found guilty and convicted of adultery.
9. Veterans within 18 – 50+ years of age are more likely to cheat on their spouses
National Health and Social Life Survey
Data from the National Health and Social Life Survey shows that 18 – 60-year old males are more open to extra-marital affairs. The survey rates men within this age bracket, regardless of their occupation.
Based on the expansive data used to reach these findings, it’s easy to attribute these stats to servicemen and veterans. The study showed that 32% of veterans within the ages of 18 – 60 recorded at least one act of infidelity during deployment.
10. Dishonorable discharge and 12 months confinement is the default punishment for military cheating
UCMJ
A special military penal code recommends a dishonorable discharge for servicemen engaged in acts of infidelity. The code also mandates forfeiture of all allowances, commissaries, and other benefits available to servicemen.
In higher cases, adulterous service members could be sentenced to 12 months confinement.
