Jill Duggar Dillard and her husband Derick Dillard are embarking on a significant life transition, leaving their Arkansas roots behind for a new chapter with the United States Marine Corps.
In an April 9 blog post, the former "Counting On" star revealed that Derick will soon ship out for active duty at Quantico, Virginia, to begin Officer Candidate School (OCS). Upon successful completion, he aims to commission as an officer and train to become a Marine Corps Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer.
"Becoming a military JAG officer has been something Derick has wanted to do for a long time," Jill, 34, wrote. She noted that while he received a recruiting letter last year, the timing wasn't right for their family—which includes sons Israel, 11, Samuel, 8, and Frederick, 3. A second opportunity arose in March, prompting the move.
"We have been surprised how quickly things have come together and the doors that have continued to open," she shared, "so much so that we can’t deny God is leading us in this direction."
According to Jill, she and the children will relocate to Virginia to join Derick after his initial 10-week training. The family's journey will then continue to Rhode Island for subsequent assignments. She requested prayers for "health and strength for Derick as he prepares for and trains at OCS, and for the rest of us as we survive without him for a bit and prepare for new family transitions!"
This marks another major relocation for the couple, who previously lived in Central America for missionary work from 2015 to 2017. Their return to Arkansas coincided with their decision to step away from TLC's reality television spotlight and distance themselves from Jill's parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar.
In a 2020 YouTube video, Derick explained the choice, stating, "We were kind of put between a rock and a hard place where we had to choose between our family goals over filming. It was in the best interest as a family to pursue our family goals."
The family's dynamics have remained complex. Last year, Derick commented on social media about a brief Christmas encounter with Jim Bob, clarifying, "Just so people know, Jim Bob approached me while we were there on Christmas Day for about 5 minutes, and I do not respect him."
He added, "We’re trying to be civil for the sake of our family, but that doesn’t mean everything is all hunky dorey, and it sure doesn’t mean that I’m not going to comment when people try to warp reality for their own purposes."