Growing up, I often met military children because I lived near two bases. I saw military families during church activities, attended school with their kids or encountered servicemembers in uniform around the community.
Sometimes, these kids disappeared for a few years and later returned to my school when a parent had another permanent change of station (PCS) back to my area. From that experience, it quickly became clear that military children made certain sacrifices due to their parents’ jobs and frequent moves.
To recognize the support and sacrifices that military children experience for their families, former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger established the Month of the Military Child in 1986. This year, the Month of the Military Child celebrates its 40th anniversary, and the theme is “Military Children and Youth: Strength in Every Story.”
The Pros and Cons of Being a Military Child
Being a military child comes with some advantages. For instance, the military community provides support services, and military kids have some unique travel opportunities and cultural experiences. Other advantages include:
- More independence and maturity at a young age
- Adaptability
- Flexibility
However, there are some disadvantages as well. Military children commonly face challenges such as:
- Relocating every two to three years to a new place, which can cause stress and loneliness
- Coping with culture shock, especially if the family moves abroad
- Being the “new kid” at multiple schools
- Separating from friends and family members
- Coping with the long-term absence of a deployed parent
- Experiencing traumatic events such as seeing a parent’s injuries as the result of combat
Growing up as a military brat taught me that independence is a key part of survival. The military ethic of ‘taking care of business’ carried into our family culture and continues to guide me today, especially the belief that if you raise a problem, you also come prepared with a solution.” – Rowe Leathers, Senior Career Coach
How to Show Your Support to Military Children and Their Families
Whether you’re in the military or belong to a civilian family, there are various ways that you can support a military child. For example, you can:
- Show your support for a military child by wearing purple clothing during Purple Up! Day on Wednesday, April 15
- Stay connected to military kids or teens through video calls, emails, and social media sites
- Listen to a military child’s concerns and fears
- Create a deployment support kit with a journal, a countdown calendar, and a verbal or written message from a deployed parent
- Introduce yourself to military families in your neighborhood and invite their children to recreational activities, especially any events involving teams
The military lifestyle is challenging for all members of a military family. However, the flexibility and adaptability gained from this lifestyle can also help to prepare children to build strength, a sense of connection, and identity.
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