Begin a marine girlfriend is very stressful and hard, but you would do a lot of things for the marine that you love so much. You will learn new things about relationships and love that you would not have learned in previous relationships. There are a lot of up and downs in every relationship, but here are the 8 struggles of being a marine girlfriend.

1. Video chat becomes a routine

With your marine not on leave, the distance can be really hard on the relationship. Thankfully, there is video chat. It makes it easier when you can see their face, hear their voice, and realize the love is still there. Video chat gives us marine girlfriends a sense of comfort and ease. It seems like something little compared to long distance relationships with two civilians, but it is everything when it comes to a marine and a marine girlfriend.

2. You never know when they are getting deployed.

Deployments are extremely hard. They require a great amount of trust in the relationship and the other partner. When you get into a relationship with a military man or woman, you know that there are deployments, so you try to prepare yourself mentally. Honestly, you are never prepared for deployment even if it the third or fourth deployment. Each deployment is just as difficult as the last one. You stay anxious for the phone call, letter, or video chat with them. You remanence on photographs and memories and that is what gets you through it.

3. You make every moment count when they are on leave.

When they are on leave, you really appreciate the little things. You remember everything that happens. You notice the details of their details and try to mark a picture of them in your brain. You take a lot of pictures, so you will not forget anything. Every hug is so warm and gentle. Every kiss is like the first kiss. When they are on leave, you become so comfortable with them being home that you almost forget that they have to come back.

4. It is exhausting.

As a marine girlfriend, you become mentally exhausted. It is hard work to remain in a healthy, strong relationship with a marine. You go through holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries without seeing them, or even hearing from them. You have to go through some difficult times in your life without your partner being there to help. You lay awake at night wondering if they are safe. You are constantly wearing yourself down, but it does not change how happy and in love you are with your marine.

5. Sometimes all you can do is listen.

Being a civilian, you will probably have little to no understanding of what they go through.It is often difficult to just listen to them, but sometimes that is all you can do. We can feel out of place and useless, but they do not expect you to always understand, but they expect you to listen and be there for them. It is difficult, but it is okay that all you can do is listen to them.

6.The future becomes important to you because it is uncertain.

With the future full of uncertainties when you are dating a marine, you become more appreciative of milestones in the relationship. The future means more to you when you think about your future with your marine. Many civilians will not understand it, but that is okay because it is your future.

7. There are huge differences between civilian and military life.

A military relationship requires some adjusting compared to just “normal” relationships with another civilian. They require more work, communication skills, and trustworthiness than other relationships.

8. The relationship will be very difficult, but so worth it.

Military relationships are a lot of work and are hard on both partners, but they have many great outcomes. There is a bunch of memories, happiness, and love brought about because of the relationship.