When you're a child of someone who serves in the military your life is a little different than most. When I get called a military brat I don't think it's an insult, in fact I get a sense of pride from it. Being a military brat means I get to experience things that I would never get the opportunity to if it weren't for my dad being in the military. Of course, somethings military kids get to experience can be less enjoyable than others. I've compiled a short list of the good, the weird, the not so great things all military kids can relate to.
1. Getting the dreaded question, "Where are you from?"
"Where are you from?" What exactly do you mean "where are you from?" I mean, my family is originally from Ohio, but I was born in Japan. We lived there for a couple years and then moved and then moved again... But I guess I'll just tell you the place I lived the longest... I'm not really from there though am I? I guess we just hate this question because we don't really know how to answer it.
2. You couldn't wait until you turned 10 years old so you could finally get your ID.
Turning 10 and being able to finally get your Military ID so you could show it off to all of your friends was a huge deal. In elementary school we didn't compare Pokemon cards, we compared IDs.
3. When you accidentally forget (or misplace) your ID.
Now that you have the responsibility of having an ID, you crack under pressure. We have all been there, whether it be going through the gate by yourself or going to the hospital with your parent. Forgetting your ID is a tragedy. I can't remember how many times my mom has had to turn back and go to the house because I forgot my ID like when I had a doctor appointment in 10 minutes. No matter how many times you forget it at your house or lose it in your car, you never really learn your lesson.
4. When a civilian thinks that all branches of the military are the same:
"Um, no sir, my dad is in the Marine Corps, not the Army. No sir, he isn't in the Air Force... He is in the Marine Corps." If I had a penny for every time someone tried to talk to me about my father's career, and within the conversation implied that he was in multiple branches of the military, I would be a billionaire. It's not their fault that they don't know the difference but it still catches me off guard every single time.
5. The National Anthem before a movie
When you're a military kid it becomes second nature to stand up for the National Anthem before a movie begins on base. It still feels weird to me to go to a movie theater out in town and not have to stand up before the previews and movie begin.
6. When people are not quiet during the National Anthem:
Whether it be at a sporting event out in town or even the movies on base, nothing makes me more upset than people talking or giggling during the National Anthem. Like really? You can't be quiet for two minutes of your life to respect our country and the people who fight (or have fought) to defend it?
7. Saying "ma'am" and "sir" is a habit.
I don't know who coined the term "military brat" because most military kids I know are actually very respectful. Growing up around the military, you learn at a very young age to have respect for your elders. Saying "ma'am" and "sir" when talking to anyone older than you just comes without thinking, it's a sign of respect.
9. A is for Alpha, B is for Bravo, C is for Charlie...
Growing up a military brat, you learn a whole new alphabet. You know that A isn't just for apple, in the military world, A is for alpha. Knowing the phonetic alphabet doesn't count as being bilingual, but I think we can all agree that it should.
10. Being called by your last name is completely normal.
It's not a rare occasion to be called by your last name when you grow up around the military. Most people would stare at you with a really confused look on their face if you were to call them by their last name, but not us military brats.
11. You love being a military brat.
Don't get me wrong, being a child of someone in the military is hard. You have to say goodbye to them for months at a time so they can defend our country. But, it also has its perks. You get to meet people from all over the world. Because of the military, I have friends in Germany, Japan, and friends from different places around the United States. I also have the utmost respect for our military men and women and I owe that all to being a military brat.
Being a military brat is awesome, and I wouldn't trade it for any other life.
