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Report: U.S. Troops Are Using Dating Apps More, Condoms Less

These days, it seems like everybody uses technology to find hookups, soulmates, or just other people who like dogs as much as they do. So it isn’t any surprise that even our servicemen are making connections via dating apps. However, while our soldiers might be using dating apps more, they’re reportedly also using condoms less, resulting in an increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

RELATED: The Ultimate Guide to Dating With STDs

According to Health.mil, this increase in STIs includes chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. And the increase in this infectious triad isn’t just happening in the military; it’s happening with civilians as well.

Norma Jean Suarez, a nurse practitioner in preventative medicine at Brook Army Medical Center, told Health.mil, “We have a large number of males in the service, and the population we see normally is the 18-to-25 year olds. STI is most common in that age group.”

What’s worse is that, according to Suarez, a lot of the guys she sees aren’t aware of how prevalent these infections are.

Maj. Dianne Frankel, an Air Force internal medicine physician, said, “There appears to be an increase in high-risk behaviors among service members; that is, having sex without a condom or having more than one sexual partner.”

In a 2015 survey, it was noted that one-fifth of the respondents had more than one sexual partner in the past year, and one-third admitted to having sex with a new partner without using a condom in the past year. Since the 2015 report, these numbers have doubled.

However, there seems to be a reason. According to Suarez, the numbers suggest that one of the reasons for the increase in STIs is a common thread in both military and civilian dating: apps. Respondents who use dating apps are likely having more random and anonymous sexual encounters, making it difficult to stop the cycle if (and when) you do end up with an STI. Further, anonymous sex often leads to riskier behavior, such as not using protection while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Fortunately, living carefree and careless while swiping right hasn’t resulted in an increase in all STIs. According to the article, genital herpes simplex has decreased a bit since 2019 and HPV is down by almost 52 percent, but this is likely due to an increase in HPV vaccinations.

However, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take the increase in other STIs seriously, especially HIV.

“Here in San Antonio alone, we manage 30+ HIV-positive active-duty soldiers,” Suarez said.

STIs are preventable, but using condoms is crucial. We can all continue to enjoy swiping left and swiping right into our next sexual encounter, but it’s a good idea for everyone — military or not — to remember to stay healthy and wrap it up.

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Christina Majaski, Khareem Sudlow