Marine Commandant Amos: "There are 144 same sex couples in Marine Corps"

[haele]

24. And 85% of the Marines are ages 26and younger. That age doesn't get married like they used to.

144 marriages are not the same as 144 relationships. And not every gay (or straight) service person has the time or interest for a relationship to begin with - so that 144 marriages between gay or lesbian service members within one year is pretty impressive.

Also, remember - some of those now able to be openly gay or lesbian service members might have been (or still be in) a "heterosexual" marriages or for pay purposes.
People forget - closeted gay and lesbian service members have historically just "hooked up" in marriages or long term "relationships" for the married pay benefits and "protection" as, with the understanding of what it was, relationships like that allowed them to seek other preferred partners on the side with no problem to the "spouse" or "S.O.".
Some of those, through friendship and trust, may still be okay with that arrangement or the benefits such a relationship might bring them personally, and won't change that any time soon.
FWIW, I knew two couples at my command like that who shared BAQ/VHA, a large house, and "partners" when I was active duty back in the late 1980's. A lot of people knew they were two committed pairs of gay men and lesbians, but as long as the military halves of that group relationship did their jobs and didn't bring on the drama, who cared?

In the military, with deployments and duty separation hanging over heads, young people don't get married very often, and relationships tend to break up after 2/3 years as soon as someone gets assigned somewhere else.
There still is a rule of thumb many unmarried people in the military go by - if you get transferred someplace and your S.O. is also in the military, expect to break up within 6 months.
It's not as bad for married people, but I work with military personnel, and I haven't heard that the term "West Pac Widow" has gone extinct, and relationship problems/divorce are still a significant morale issue amongst the jr. enlisted.

Haele