Decision-Making and Exchange Processes of Dual-Military Couples: A Review and Suggested Strategies for Navigating Multiple Roles

As the number of dual-earner couples has increased, so has the number of dual-military couples. Individuals in dual-military couples experience many of the same challenges and benefits as dual-earner couples with added difficulties and advantages that are unique to military employment. The current article presents the exchange-based dual-military marriage model, which builds on Huffman and Payne’s (2005) model for dual-military marriages. Whereas the previous model did not adequately address the decision-making process that dual-military couples must engage in to navigate their unique situation, we address this oversight by incorporating exchanges that occur between the partners as well as between the couple and the military. Our model stresses the importance that perceived resources and the exchange relationship have on dual-military members. Included is a discussion of unique groups (i.e., gender issues, parental status, and sexual orientation), strategies for success for both dual-military couples and the military organization, and a suggested future research agenda.