In the spirit of my dad retiring after 20 years and some change from the Coast Guard, there are a couple things my siblings and I know and easily compare with any other military kid immediately.
1. The commissary is the best and one of the only places your mom will shop (if an option.)
You always wanted to go to get something, and no one else knows what this is so it's like a secret grocery store only military people know about.
2. When people ask where you're from you really don't know where to say so you either list your favorite/longest billet or just say everywhere.
For the longest time, I would just say I'm from Alabama whenever people asked where I was from because it was my favorite place I lived and longest.
3. If given the opportunity you've probably lived in military housing at least for a little while
This was the place you always knew people understood what you're military parent and more importantly there was ALWAYS at least 1 moving truck in the neighborhood pretty much at all times
4. You knew you could never get too attached to anyone in the military housing neighborhood.
Because of billets you never knew when people were coming or going and more importantly for how long.
5. Your military parent or parents probably had a huge OCD phase or still are
Because of their time at boot camp or any kind of training program they attended after there is a place for everything and EVERYTHING cannot be half done, every chore gets finished to a certain standard every time, no question.
6. MANNERS ARE CRUCIAL IN ORDER TO SURVIVE
Yes ma'am, no sir, Mr and Mrs, no questions if any of this was missing, expect backlash
7.Whenever people talk about how their room hasn't changed since they've been born is the weirdest thing you've ever heard.
So many rooms, so many houses.
8. You actually think your name is "new kid"
New schools, new teams, new programs, new everything but being the new kid is a regular routine every couple years and at some points in time you think it's your actual name.
9. Family is your biggest and sometimes only support system
Know your family's chemistry when you're moving around so much is crucial and are the only people going with you when you go.
10. You’re so grateful for the adventures and opportunities along the way
Every billet taught me something new or allowed me to meet amazing people that were placed perfectly throughout my time as a military kid.
11. Lonestars, I’m already there had your mom or whole family in tears at any point and time
- Instant tears when this song comes on, cause you immediately have flashbacks when you were actually living this song.
Being a military kid has given me such a different outlook than most on life family and an appreciation for the soldiers because no one knows loss or missing a piece of your immediate family like anyone else, but the experiences and opportunities you're given while being a "Military brat" is something special and so great at the end of the day regardless of how hard it might have gotten at times.
