When you first hear the word “brat”, your mind might immediately shift to one of those girls on that television show back in the day called “My Super Sweet 16”. They would yell at their parents for getting them the wrong color car for their birthday and throw tantrums over the craziest things. However, I am talking about a different kind of brat; a military brat.

My dad spent twenty-four years serving our nation in the U.S. Army. Though I was only around for the last eight years of his time in the Army, I still learned many valuable lessons that I still carry with me today. Here is a list of eight signs that you are a military brat...and proud of it.

1. You always use your best manners. I can remember when I was five years old, my dad would sit me at the kitchen table for dinner and taught me how to have proper table manners. Napkin in your lap, one hand in your lap at all times unless you are cutting food, don’t bridge your utensils from the table to the plate, wipe your mouth, chew with your mouth closed. When meeting someone new, you shake their hand, look them in the eye, and introduce yourself. When talking to a superior, or anyone of authority, you say “yes ma’am”, “no ma’am”, “yes, sir”, “no, sir”. People have always probably been impressed with your manners, which made you pretty happy inside.
2. You know that when you answer the phone, it probably is not for you. When I was old enough to answer the telephone, my parents were adamant that I answer and say, ”Schneider’s, Mary speaking”. The phone was usually then passed on to my dad. It always made me proud of my dad to know that he was doing important things. He was helping protect our country.
3. You are always on your best behavior in public. Military bases are tight-knit communities. Everyone knows everyone and the higher ranked your parent(s) are, the more eyes there are on you. Every base/post has “those kids” that belong to “that family”, and you never want to be one of “those kids” from “that family”. And knowing that you are not one of "those kids" from "that family" is definitely something to be proud of.
4. You know how to make friends fast. When you move, you learn to make friends very quickly. I have lived in places for anywhere from two years to less than a year. Your friends are all shapes, sizes, races, and religions...and it has been that way since you were a toddler.
5. You are always prepared. Traveling light is not an option. When my dad was stationed at Ft. Shafter, Hawaii, we decided to take a MAC (Military Air Command) flight to the mainland (the 48 contiguous states). Long story short, we ended up stuck at Travis Air Force Base for several days…thankfully, we had extra clothes and were able to “make do” until we made it on the list for a flight back to Hawaii. We have just about seen it all, so we know to have extra clothes, soap, a travel pillow, and blanket on us whenever we're traveling anywhere. Your civilian friends always ask if you have extra of something, and chances are, you probably do.
6. Standing for the pledge is NOT optional. It is completely insane to you that someone from this country would even consider not saying or standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Since my dad retired from the Army when I was still in school, I went to regular public school for quite a while. I was absolutely blown away at how many people just sat at their desks during the pledge.
7. You have keepsakes and gifts from all over the world. My family never had to move out of the country, but my dad travelled all across the globe, and often brought back presents. On my special shelf of knick knacks, there is a ballerina statue from somewhere in Asia, I also have a bracelet and parasol from Thailand, and learned how to read on Australian children's books. A friend even brought back an Afghani outfit for me, which I happily wore to many multicultural festivals. These were the best presents because it taught me a little bit about each country.
   
8. You know you grew up the best way possible. Growing up a military brat is a wonderful way to grow up. By the time you leave home, you have gone on all kinds of crazy adventures and know how to handle any situation that may arise. You have friends all over the world and crazy stories to tell. And most importantly, you wouldn’t trade your upbringing for the world. Seeing your parents make speeches in front of large groups of people made you so proud. And being able to tell people about your crazy adventures and memories that have been made all over the country, or even, all over the world, makes you proud to have grown up a brat.