During our Guy's Trip to Nevada, we caught up with our good buddy Saz, divorced military dad who gets brutally honest about co‑parenting after divorce, serving his country, and still trying to be the best dad he can be.
Co-parenting after divorce is challenging for any father — but for a military dad, the obstacles multiply. Deployments, distance, unpredictable schedules, and emotional weight can make staying present feel impossible.
In this episode of Dad Livin’, we sat down with Saz, a divorced military dad who shares honest insight into what co-parenting after divorce really looks like while serving on active duty. This isn’t theory or textbook advice — it’s lived experience.
If you’re a military dad navigating divorce, co-parenting, or identity after separation, this conversation offers clarity, perspective, and practical lessons you can actually use.
Saz represents a growing group of fathers navigating co-parenting after divorce while serving in the military. His story reflects the reality many military dads face: balancing duty to country with responsibility to family.
As an active-duty Air Force veteran, Saz opens up about:
For military dads, divorce often brings guilt, frustration, and distance. Saz’s mindset shift — “Divorced, but still Dad” — reframes the narrative and reinforces that fatherhood doesn’t end when a marriage does.
One of the biggest concerns divorced dads search for is how to co-parent without constant conflict. This is especially critical in military families, where stress levels are already high.
Saz explains that successful co-parenting after divorce starts with emotional discipline. Speaking negatively about an ex-partner doesn’t provide relief — it creates long-term harm for children.
Key co-parenting principles discussed:
For military dads, minimizing conflict creates stability — something children desperately need when one parent may be deployed or frequently away.
Co-parenting while serving in the military requires a different level of planning, communication, and trust. Deployments and relocations complicate custody schedules and emotional availability.
In this episode, Saz discusses:
A key takeaway for military dads is that consistency matters more than proximity. Regular communication, follow-through, and intentional presence help maintain strong bonds even during long separations.
Children experience divorce differently than adults. For military families, the emotional impact can be amplified by absence, change, and uncertainty.
Saz emphasizes that healthy co-parenting after divorce means prioritizing the child’s emotional safety. Kids don’t need explanations or blame — they need reassurance, predictability, and calm communication between parents.
Important reminders for divorced dads:
These principles are foundational for military dads trying to raise resilient, emotionally secure children after divorce.
Divorce often forces fathers to confront who they are beyond marriage. For military dads, that identity shift can feel disorienting.
Saz discusses the internal work required after divorce, including:
Healing doesn’t happen overnight — but intentional mindset changes help divorced dads move forward without carrying emotional weight into future relationships or parenting decisions.
Beyond co-parenting advice, this episode highlights the importance of connection. During the guys’ trip to Nevada, conversations around the campfire provided space for reflection, laughter, and perspective.
For many divorced and military dads, isolation is a silent struggle. Time with other fathers who understand the weight of responsibility can be a powerful form of support.
Healthy fatherhood doesn’t require doing everything alone — it requires community.
Co-parenting after divorce as a military dad is difficult — but it is possible to do it well.
This episode of Dad Livin’ reinforces one truth: divorce changes the structure of a family, not the importance of a father. Showing up, communicating with intention, and choosing growth over bitterness makes a lasting difference in a child’s life.
If you’re a military dad navigating divorce, know this — your role still matters, your presence still counts, and your effort still shapes your children’s future.
Check out the episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/trzyS4iK5EY
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