Retired army captain Kerri-Ann Woodbury is researching the effects of deployment on relationships to better prepare couples for the difficulties of service.

April 24, 2019

A former army nurse who raised four kids while her veteran husband battled post-traumatic stress has gone back to school to help other families navigate defence force life.

Retired Captain Kerri-Ann Woodbury, 39, hopes her research into the effects of deployment on relationships will better prepare couples for the difficulties of service.

“Constant relocation, spouses having to find new jobs and trying to settle the kids into new schools all takes a toll,” she told AAP.

It can be tough to forge lasting friendships; many partners felt their careers were put on the back burner and they were often separated for months at a time, Ms Woodbury said.

“The spouse who stays at home effectively becomes a single parent, looking after both the kids and the house.

“The stresses, while different to those on the family member in uniform, can be just as tough to deal with.”

Ms Woodbury said her own family’s experience when she balanced her career with motherhood while her husband, Andrew, served in Afghanistan motivated her to start her research.

He suffers post-traumatic stress disorder and was medically discharged from the Australian Army in 2016, where he also served as a captain, Ms Woodbury said.

“He’s unable to work, which is devastating when you’re not even 50 years old,” she said.

Despite the difficulties, Ms Woodbury found most couples reported service life was rewarding.

She said Anzac Day was the perfect time for military personnel to share their experiences about juggling the demands of defence life.

Ms Woodbury is researching defence couples during and after military deployment for her PhD studies at the Queensland University of Technology with support from the Returned and Services League.