“This girl and I haven’t been hanging out or dating or whatever you call it for very long.  We are having a good time but I am leaving town for several months. What do I do?”  - Sincerely, ‘Outta Here’

I’d say that for every month you commit to someone, count one week apart as a reasonable time to stay committed. There are a couple advantages here. Let us say that it has only been a month, and she will be gone a little more than a week. It’s short enough where if you really like her, it wont pain you to pick right back up after the reuniting, and you will be too busy thinking about her and texting her constantly to worry about that blond minx eyeing you from across the bro-party (don’t worry, I’ll make sure she gets home okay for ya).  If at the month mark though, you were starting to see some of the SIGNS (like she’s annoying the hell out of you) that your relationship might go sour.  Then the advantage of the ‘hiatus’ is in it’s passivity, cleanliness and complete lack of guilt that you wouldn’t normally find in a break-up.

In a longer example, you might be skeptical that the formula holds out.  A four month relationship, (you might even be ‘in love’ now) it makes it an even worse idea to stay together for that month apart, let alone that four year tour in Iran.  That is a long time to be dreading and filled with insecurity. It will tear you apart, trust me.  Calling things off for the period will make the time pass indefinitely faster.  You’ll be happier, and you will probably get some ass (once again guilt free.  Maybe even learn a new trick or two. And hell, you have needs) during the interim.  I’m confident that you are significantly more likely to reunite under better circumstances if you separate.  If you don’t I can only predict that you will both be miserable the whole time apart, and she will break up with you as soon as you come home.

On a final note, if you have been together for more than 12 months,  no advice you find on the Internet can save you.

Good Luck!
-From the desk of Dr. Drag
07/17/2009

Links to other opinions
How to break up with someone in 7 easy steps
Long distance relationships NEVER Work (except when they do)