ROTC Relationships Recap

Male military members are more likely to marry young and less likely to divorce, according to a recent study.

The military’s overall divorce rate remains under 4 percent, the study said.

“Marriages that get dull often don't survive,” said Michael Matthews, a psychology professor at the U.S. Military Academy, via email.

“So to the extent that the couples perceive the military life as one of opportunity versus one of continued threat, this can maintain energy in relationships,” Matthews said.

Some Michigan State University students think military members marry young because their jobs require them to be forward-thinking.

“ROTC students are much more future-oriented and long-term focused,” MSU student Mark Howell said.

Howell said he knows many engaged or married ROTC students. He is a student in the MSU Air Force ROTC Program who married his wife Christina in March.

Jana Sedlacek is dating an army ROTC student. “I 100 percent feel that we’re planning our future sooner,” she said.

Sedlacek is a first year student at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine.

To see Howell and Sedlacek’s film interviews, click here. For more on this story via Twitter, click here or search #MSUMilRelationships.