Military Relationships - Long Distance

I've been in the United States Marine Corps for the past 3 1/2 years, completing 2 deployments in that time. I've had quite a few relationships while serving, and I believe I've finally found the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. This article is going to give you a little insight on what it's like to be 2,200 miles away from the person you love most in life.

Dealing with the stress of having a loved one (specifically a girlfriend/wife) thousands of miles away is not an easy feat. Jealousy is the most prevelant factor in the success of a long distance relationship I've noticed. There is not a single day that goes by when I don't think about the "What if's", especially in the cheating department. You have to develop trust with the person. Sit down and have a talk. Lay out the rules, and determine what is okay, and what is not. If the rules are clearly not explained to both parties, can you really fault them if they're promiscuous?

Communication is key to a long distance relationship. Obviously there's different ways to achieve this. Telephone, Email, Instant Messaging, Webcams, Mail. I'm not a phone person, but my girlfriend is. We chat on our cells for about 1-2 hours per day. It's very frustrating for me, but I understand how important it is. Even if you're having a bad day, LISTEN to what they are saying! Help them with their problems if you can. If there's one thing the military has taught me, it's patience. I have absolutely no problems dealing with the stress of these long distance relationships anymore, because I am use to them. My special other, however, is not. At least once a week, I have to try and get her to stop crying on the phone. It hurts, but if you can get through this, you can get through anything together.

Giving gifts every once in a while will also help your chances! Whether it's flowers, personalized letters, or balloons, she'll appreciate it. There was a time about 3 months ago when she was just having a breakdown, and once I found out, I sent her a large amount of flowers. It helped her so much. It doesn't have to be expensive, but put some thought into it! She'll love it that much more if it's something customized.

I hope these tips can help. Whether you're the person in the military, or the one sitting at home waiting for your loved one to return, those tips can all apply to you. Good luck!