A phenomenological inquiry into married military couples' experience with a deployment process during the current Iraq and Afghanistan Wars

The purpose of this study was to explore married military couples' experience with navigating through a deployment process during the current Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Seven married military couples between the ages of 21 to 45 participated in this study. The military men in this study represented the Marine Corps, Navy, and Navy SEALS. The study was qualitative and followed a structured phenomenological analysis in order to extrapolate the meaning that these couples attributed to their experiences throughout the deployment process. A critical lens was also used to give voice to how sociocultural factors influence experience. Therefore, each military couple was interviewed, and their reported experiences with the deployment process were then used to provide perspective into the phenomenon of interest.;Significant themes emerged for husbands and wives during each phase of the deployment process. During predeployment, husbands experienced (a) preparation for separation and deployment and (b) the emergence of apprehension around separation and deployment. Wives experienced (a) preparation for separation and deployment and (b) the emergence of worry around separation and deployment. During deployment, husbands experienced (a) initial difficulty adjusting to deployment, (b) the mission as the primary focus during deployment, (c) communication as key to keeping the marital bond during deployment, (d) discovering ways to cope with deployment, and (e) anticipation of return home from deployment. Wives experienced (a) the emotional roller coaster of separation during deployment, (b) communication as key to keeping the marital bond during deployment, (c) discovering ways to cope with separation during deployment, (d) the discovery of personal resiliency during deployment, and (e) anticipation of husbands' return home from deployment. During postdeployment, both husbands and wives experienced a readjustment to married life and strengthened marriages due to the total experience.;Results suggested that participant husbands and wives experienced an ebb and flow of emotion throughout the deployment process caused by their constant containing and releasing of emotion. When self-regulation of emotion could no longer be balanced or contained, participant husbands and wives were forced to adapt individually and relationally. As a result, participant couples experienced personal and marital growth that created a stronger marital bond.