CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Being away from a spouse for extended periods of time is one of the biggest sacrifices married service members face, even in dual military marriages.
Some of the unique issues military couples deal with, that cause these separations, are deployments and permanent change of station.
Lt. Col. Linnie Cain, Jr. and his wife, Maj. Andrea V. Hopson-Cain, G4, U.S. Army Central, who have been married since 2005, quickly discovered some of these challenges even after clearing many hurdles to get married while they were both deployed.
"The big issue that we've had a problem with in the past is PCSing at the same time," said Linnie. "I got PCS'd to Atlanta six months before she did; and it was lucky she came in six months, because they told me they would try to get her there within a year."
Although it has been a challenge to obtain PCS orders at the same time, so far, the couple has been fortunate to deploy to the same base.
Married since 2007, Lt. Col. Eric P. Olson, G1, USARCENT and his wife, Maj. Laura Geldhof-Olson, Joint Special Operations Command, have not been as fortunate to deploy to the same location. Much of their initial time dating and as husband and wife has been spent separated from one another.
"Two of our first three years together have been apart," said Eric. "That's just a challenge of all dual military couples."
Both couples admit that although dual military marriages can sometimes be a challenge, they both emphasize communication and planning as key to making things work.
"We have to do prior planning," said Andrea.
Although the Cain's are both currently deployed to Camp Arifjan, due to the nature of the environment and conflicting work schedules, the two rarely see each other on a consistent basis, so they try to stay connected by setting time aside for each other.
"I get caught up in going to work and going home, going to work and going home," said Linnie. "When I get home, the last thing I want to do is go to a movie, but those are the things you just have to write down and stick to."
The Olson's must work to communicate in different ways since Eric is currently deployed to Kuwait and Laura is stateside at Fort Bragg, N.C., and expecting their first child.
"We actually communicate on e-mail a lot," said Eric. "Every day we write each other little notes on e-mail."
The couple also has a routine to ensure that they can speak to each other every day.
"I'm usually her wake up call," said Eric. "[Approximetly] 2:30 in the afternoon here is 6:30 eastern standard time back at Fort Bragg, so we talk just for a few minutes. I think most couples are like that where they have a certain time of the day or time of the week that they call and that's our time."
Marriage, regardless of a couple's lifestyle, takes work. Fortunately these two couples have found ways to overcome obstacles; but, they also have an understanding that they will continue to face challenges along the way.
"It's a challenge," said Linnie. "It's a balancing act and you have to work on it."
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