My question is, what's the big struggle? Millions of us do it all the time. Being alone is not fun, and it can be hard at time. But it's just not that big a deal, and I do not know what all the whining and hand-wringing is about. They should consider themselves lucky that someday their men are going to come home.
The ones I do feel sorry for are the ones who lose their husbands to death. Those are the women who deserve our assistance and sympathy.
I can only speak for myself and my experience with a military spouse who was never gone for even 6 months at a time. The struggle is that for most of the time you have someone who deals with the car, takes out the trash, gives baths, etc. Now in addition to having to take on these extra chores themselves, they're also worrying about their husbands being killed and trying to make explanations and excuses to their children.
Your struggle is one that goes on regardless. Their lives COULD be easier, if their men were home. My husband left the Navy, mostly because he wanted to spend more time with his family. I was willing to have him stay in, but I am vastly relieved and have very much enjoyed NOT having to do it all myself. Leaving the Navy was one of the best decisions, for our family, that he ever made. People who CHOOSE to stay because they are dedicated to fight for our freedom deserve our respect. They could easily choose differently, which leaves us all less choices (referring to a draft).