https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-Huffman2019TRIP

Huffman, A. H., Dunbar, N., Broom, T. W., & Castro, C. A. (2018). Soldiers’ perspectives of the Married Army Couples Program: A review of perceived problems and proposed solutions. Military Psychology, 30(4), 335–349. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2018.1478537

The Married Army Couples Program (MACP) is a voluntary program designed to help dual-military couples (in which both spouses are service members) achieve joint domicile, that is, the ability for them to be stationed within 50 miles of each other in order to allow them to live together. This qualitative study examines the perspectives of 45 soldiers in a dual-military marriage on the effectiveness and helpfulness of MACP, including their personal experiences and their opinions on the program’s efficacy using focus group interviews. While some participants found the MACP to be helpful, the majority of soldiers reported negative perceptions of the MACP, including a lack of information and support.

https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2018.1478537

Couples
Deployment
Programming

Air Force
Army
Multiple branches

Active Duty
Guard
Reserve

Active duty service member
Guard/Reserve member
Spouse of service member or veteran

Adulthood (18 yrs & older)

Qualitative Study
Secondary Analysis

Huffman, Ann H., Dunbar, Nora, Broom, Timothy W., Castro, Carl A.

The current study investigated soldiers’ perceptions of the Married Army Couples Program (MACP) using data from focus groups conducted with Army personnel in dual-military marriages. Despite the high success rate of the program (approximately 80–83%)—success being defined as establishment of a joint domicile within a 50-mile radius of each spouse’s duty station—a variety of difficulties were reported as well as consequent negative perceptions. Problems included dissatisfaction with the parameters defining joint domicile, obstacles to career advancement, lack of quality information regarding the program, and unequal allocation depending on one’s level of leadership support. Difficulties with MACP led to negative impressions of the program and of the Army as a whole. Specifically, when asked about challenges related to the program, many participants reported perceptions of a poorly functioning program, an uncaring environment, and of the Army as a hypocritical institution. For individuals in dual-military marriages, these difficulties affect quality of life. For the institution, these negative perceptions can potentially lead to problems with retention of one or both members of a dual-military couple. We propose several strategies to improve the effectiveness of MACP and to increase positive perceptions of the program based on suggestions from the focus groups in addition to the military and work literatures.

Taylor & Francis

Article
REACH Publication

Department of Psychological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, AHH
Department of Psychological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, ND
Department of Psychological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, TWB
Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans Military Families, USC School of Social Work, University of Southern California, CAC