I want my relationship to work?

My boyfriend and I have been together for about a year and a half. Things are usually great, but like most couples, we often have our little fights. We recently got into it about something stupid, he basically told me that I'm not supportive enough and he wants someone who is. I told him I'd try to be and we can go from there. Here's the situation. We live in KY now, I'm originally from here because my parents were prior military( by Ft.Knox) and he was in the Army for 8 yrs. We had a huge fight and I broke things off, because I felt I wasn't being treated with respect, realistically, even though I broke it off, he practically begged me not to and that he would change, but we have had many arguments as to US BOTH trying to get there and more caring for one another. I guess, in the heat of the moment, I broke it off out of me being mad and attention I guess. I think and think and think about that I did and said and regretted it so I called him back the next day after I broke up with him and apologized. A lot was said on both ends when we had the "break up" talk the night prior. I really regret saying all I did because now his feelings towards me has changed a little. He told me I made him realize he feels lost and that he has been for a while. According to him, it's because literally 5 days ago he just got out of the military, is jobless and thought all the plans him and I have made were out the window when I broke it off, and he thought he was never going to see me again..heartbroken. He says he wants to be with his family(which they live in Wisconsin) for a while just to regain "himself" again and to spend time/re-connect with his family. I totally understand how he feels, I would probably do the same thing and feel the same way, especially seeing how he rarely see's his family and that they are kind of far away. Him and I talked, I believe he forgave me but he doesn't seem the same, he is the same but he seems a little driven away. I totally understand that I played a great role in him feeling like that, but it's also because he feels lost and jobless and wants to be with his fam and to save money. He told me we can still work on our relationship while he's gone(for about six months) while he "finds himself" again and that we can talk everyday, skype, visit each other, etc. He said we will eventually be together again, as in us either living together or us being the way we are now( I have my own place and so does he) but he just needs some time for himself and to look for a job to save money and to figure out what he wants to do. I know he is sad now and I am too, my thing is, is he really wanting us to work and I don't know how to handle a long distance relationship because I've never been in one. While we're apart, I know it's a test of our relationship and I really want things to work. He keeps saying "I won't leave you and I'll come back for you" but what does that mean? Is he just in a rut in his life right now and needs to really find himself? I know he also mentioned he thinks us being apart can make us stronger if we both put effort into it. I am willing to try and know there are many people out there that have a successful long distance relationship, especially military families who's spouse is overseas. But how long should I wait and how can I know he's being real and wants to make this work and will come back for me? I'm confused, hurt yet happy..i'm happy only because I know he loves his family and when he goes back, he will be happy to be with them : ). What should I do?