Growing up as a military brat, the nickname of children of military members, the past fifteen years of my life has afforded me unforgettable experiences and a unique perspective on life. The military brat community is a small world of it’s own with all of us sharing in the same struggles and joys. Because of these connections I believe there exists five lessons that as military brats we have all come to learn in one form or another. I would like to impart these lessons to provide a little bit of insight into the military brat community.
1. Self Discipline Matters
Military parents start instilling discipline into their children at a young age. For some kids the discipline doesn't bother them, and for others it frustrates them and they become rebellious. Although the parents may seem strict, the rules and discipline they are instilling will help down road when the children grow older. Self discipline then arises from the child as they recognize the need to be able to control and think about their own actions. We see that self discipline matters because it's importance is reflected through our parents and their successes in the military. Thus, for us military brats we see that having self discipline provides us the opportunity to take control of our future and be successful.
2. The Power of Presence & Punctuality
Punctuality is a pretty important thing in the military and life in general. Growing up, the phrase “on time is late, and early is on time” was repeated over and over to me by my parents. Now, not every military brat is punctual all the time nor is everyone a master of time management. However, we as military brats are raised to understand that being punctual represents our respect for the event or person, and that showing up late is slight to the host. With that being said military brats tend to arrive early, a lesson instilled by parents, and are prepared to react to a change at a moments notice.
3.The Golden Rule
Mark 12:31 reads, ”‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater,” is the foundation for how military kids were raised to treat one another. The cultures we as military brats are immersed in when we move are diverse and sometimes much different than our own. Our parents too enforce the need for us to be able to work in diverse environments as to be able to work with people different than us. However, just because they are different or hold different values than us we are taught to always give them the same respect we give ourselves.
4. Never Underestimate a Friendship
As a military brat moving often comes with the territory. It can sometimes be hard to grow roots in one place because in an instant you may find yourself moving to a new state or country. However, the military brat community is small, and we tend to always stay in contact with one another. Therefore, we never underestimate the power of friendships because we know that a friendship goes a long way. Sometimes even, friendships can stretch over land and sea and remain strong for years. As a military brat it is our friendships that we make and maintain that helps us stay grounded through life.
5. The Call of Duty
Our parents, our friends, our brothers and sisters who serve in the military may all have different reasons for signing up. As a military brat our world is that of the military. Everyday we see their daily sacrifices that are made in order to protect our freedoms and those that they love. As brats we see our family answer their call of duty, and every night at 9pm on bases across the world we are reminded through the playing of Taps of their ultimate sacrifice. We may not be in the military nor all join, some of us brats will answer the call of duty; however, we have learned that growing up that our military is and will always be apart of who we are. That we as brats carry the memories of those who served and who are serving as the military too has become our family.
