Former reality television star Jill Duggar Dillard shared her thanks for the “love and support” of her followers as she said goodbye to husband Derick Dillard in an emotional social media post.
The family is going through a major upheaval as Dillard attends Marine Corps Officer Candidate School. Duggar is adjusting to the separation while balancing life at home and caring for their brood of three boys.
Jill Duggar Asked for ‘Survival Skills’ to Navigate Her Husband’s Absence
In an emotional Instagram post, Jill Duggar Dillard shared details of her husband, Derick Dillard’s, steps to becoming a Marine Corps Attorney. In 2022, he passed the bar exam after graduating from law school in Arkansas.
She wrote, “And he’s off! Prayers appreciated for all of us in this new season as Derick Dillard is at the rigorous Marine Corps Officer Candidate school (basic training/bootcamp) this summer with limited to no communication!”
“Lord willing, he will graduate and then go on to complete more training before becoming a Marine Corps JAG officer (Marine Corps Attorney)! Thanks for the love and support.”
In addition, Duggar reached out to other military families for advice on how she should best navigate this no-communication time period.
“Ok…military fam, give me your tips on surviving the little-to-no communication period while also internally stressing out for him! (I saw someone said they call the first week of their spouse being gone to training/deployment/etc. their ‘wallow week.’ Then they create & develop their new routines and all after that…I think I’m gonna borrow that! Lmk how you process best!”
Fans of the Reality Star Shared Their Best Wishes, and Advice
In the comments section of Jill Duggar Dillard’s post, fans, family, and friends wished her luck during this transitional season of life.
Duggar’s sisters Joy-Anna, Jessa, and Jinger posted supportive remarks. Joy-Anna wrote, “Praying for you all!!” Jessa penned, “praying,” while Jinger said, “Praying! Love you.”
Fans quickly flooded the comments section with supportive messages, including several from military families offering advice and words of encouragement.
“20-year military spouse here. First, give yourself a few days to just be, get a drive-thru dinner for the boys, and do nothing! Seriously— lower your expectations of yourself. Second- start an iPhone note (or Google doc) of funny things your kids say/do you’ll want to tell him about later,” they began.
“It’s okay to do nothing but let the boys play in the hose and eat popsicles if that’s all you wanna do. Mostly, tell yourself you can do it. You can.”
A second military spouse wrote, “When you choose to see separation as an opportunity to date all over again, your marriage can blossom even in this hard way of life.” A third penned, “Here for this/y’all! We just went through this a couple of years back, and my husband went from enlisted to Officer in the USMC. Cool to see y’all in this season of life as well!”
Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard initially connected over the phone and online in March 2013 after Derick met Jill’s father, Jim Bob, while doing missionary work. They met face-to-face for the first time in November 2013 when Jill and her father traveled to Nepal.
The couple wed in June 2014. They have three sons, Israel, Samuel, and Freddy. They lost a daughter in 2024 due to a miscarriage.
