1. You thought your parent was a super hero growing up.
You remember watching them come out in a uniform. Sometimes it was scary, all the face paint used for camoflauge. Other times, it was awe-inspiring. People would pay for meals or say "thank you for your service." Regardless of the situation, you were positive your parent wasn't human.
2. You're good at moving. Very good.
You get asked "is it hard?" all the time. And you say no. There's a system; it's like clockwork. Find boxes, label them with duct tape for each room, and start taking things off shelves. In 3 weeks, boom, you're done and off to the next duty station.
3. Goodbyes are more common than hellos, probably because you're used to them.
People leave the day you show up. You chase friends across the country, running into one another at different duty stations. You wave goodbye to all your friends, and make one less at the next station.
4. You get called socially awkward, but really, you're just reserved.
You've seen more friendships end than you'd like to count, explored more houses than you remember. Sometimes making friends just doesn't seem worth it. You're gonna move in a year or two anyways.
5. The friends you do have are astronomically worth it.
Those friends that have pushed through social barriers tend to last. They've seen you at your best, and you've allowed them to see your worst. They're the friends that you'll stay up late skyping, or wake up early for. Distance becomes a number to manipulate not an obstacle to overcome.
6. Drink some water and change your socks was the remedy to everything.
I mean everything. Mom, I have a fever. Drink some water and change your socks. Dad, I think I broke my toe. Drink some water and change your socks. Mom, Dad, I'm dying. I'm sure you'll be fine just drink some water and change your socks.
7. Patriotic holidays mean more to you than the average civilian.
You had a love/hate relationship with the Forth of July. The patriotism was beautiful. Watching your parent struggle through PTSD was not. Memorial Day was filled with personal stories. Flag day was your favourite, although you hesitated telling people because that's a weird one to love.
8. Mandatory fun was everything, sometimes.
The balls were a pleasure. You felt like royalty for a day, getting dressed up all fancy and making sure everything was perfect. For a moment, you could be Cinderella and Prince Charming and dance your fears away. The Thanksgiving dinners, not as much. You got dressed up in your finest, only to go eat cafeteria style turkey dinners. Sometimes it was awkward, especially when the unit culture in California was different than Alabama, and you felt infinitely over dressed. However, all was made well with the unit wide Christmas parties, complete with their very own Santa Claus.
9. You don't watch coming home videos.
Partly because you've lived them, partly because you're not sure if you'll ever live another one again, and the thought of your soldier getting called up and not coming home isn't worth the nightmares, which you've had too many of anyway.
10. You're dreading giving up your ID card and entering civilian life.
You've spent all your formative years learning to navigate military life. Learning all the branches and songs and bugle calls. You recognize different helicopters from their sounds and shadows and taps from its first note; your flag etiquette is on point. Your civilian skills, not as much. You have no idea what a life without benefits looks like, and you're not thrilled to find out.
11. In all, you're proud to be a MilBratt.
You've watched your service member climb ranks, and you've probably sang at one of his/her promotions. You've seen the stress and the angst and the joy that comes with military life and you wouldn't change your heritage for anything.
