that a remote assignment was like a magnifying glass. If you have a good marriage, you can come away from the assignment with a stronger one. However, if you have problems, they're bound to get bigger during the long separation.

He was right. Of my friends on Shemya (don't be fooled by the blue skies in those photos, most people didn't go around taking pictures on the bad days that we had over 90% of the time), I'm the only one still married to the same woman. Several wifes filed for divorce while their husbands were on the Rock and three other marriages failed within 2 years of them coming home. Some wifes just couldn't stand the separation, and others grew to like being on their own.

I used to get free phone calls home while was on the Rock. I think that helped me keep my marriage together. Still, hearing my wife cry out "When are you coming home?" after I'd only been there for a couple months just about tore my heart out. Fortunately, she didn't have too many days like that.

My wife grew stronger during my absence because she had to do so many things that I used to handle. Perhaps some guys have problems when that happens but it has been great for us. Of course, no one was shooting at me, so my experience doesn't fully compare with what those soldiers are experiencing.