Ultimate List of Military Kid Resources
One of the hardest areas to navigate in our rapidly changing lifestyle is how to help our children “brat like a boss.” But, all you need it a great list of Military Kid resources to help guide you.
According to the Military Child and Education Coalition, most military children attend six to nine different schools from kindergarten to 12th grade, and (on average) a military student transfers more than twice during high school. This can put tremendous pressure on parents who try to make the transition as smooth as possible.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all guidance for moving kids and changing schools. Each family has to come up with a plan that works for their unique needs.
Most of us know that PCS and transition time is rapidly approaching, and since April is the month when we celebrate all those unique military kids we lovingly call “brats,” I wanted to share some resources, websites, and print materials that are specifically geared toward our military kids.
All the resources and websites listed below range from information to motivation, but all the resources have one very important thing in common:
Their focus is on our military brats.
Please use the following resources to help plan your journey with your own children and make sure they brat like a boss:
General Resources for Military Kids of All Ages
Military Child Education Coalition: A great first stop for any information quest about military life and how it affects kids. The sit offers tons of resources, videos, book suggestions, webinars, and links to get you all the information you need to help your children and yourself.
PCS Checklist: Kid’s Edition: A nifty checklist and timeline for moving with kids.
BRATS: Our Journey Home: A beautiful documentary about growing up as a Military Brat.
EFMP and Special Needs: A resource guide to the Exceptional Family Member Program issues and education concerns.
Military Children and PCS: A variety of sites and books to help with PCS struggles.
Preparing Your Child for the First Day of School: Find suggestions for first day traditions you can implement into your family’s first day routines.
Military Families Resource Center: A psychology-based website with military family-focused resources.
Military Kids Connect: This website contains games and activities related to coping with military life.
Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission: Here you’ll find the information about the interstate compact and how it’s addressing the educational concerns of military transition.
Military and Family Policy Fact Sheet: A great resource to have on your own computer. It’s a great tool for moving!
The Uncheckable Back-to-School Check List for Military Kids: A great “unofficial list” of what is really important to kids and parents on the first day of school.
6 Survival Strategies for PCSing Mid-Year with Milkids: You’ll find all sorts of tips for conquering mid-year moves.
Unique Challenges Military Kids Face: This is a great Youtube video report by CBS about kids and deployment.
Tutor.com: Free tutoring for military dependents from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
Military Children’s Educational Bill of Rights: Additional information about military children’s rights under the Military Interstate Children’s Compact.
For Military Kids, Resilience and Challenges: Here’s a strong article courtesy of the Harvard Graduate School of Education about military children and building their resiliency. It includes interviews with Dr. Jill Biden and discusses what schools can do to help transitioning military children.
For High School Brats
Here’s What To Do if You Have To Move During Your High Schooler’s Senior Year: A well-researched article with topics ranging from knowing your rights, to ways to help your senior if duty calls them to change schools.
25 Programs and Non-Profits for Military Kids: A variety of non-profit organizations who are always looking out for our kiddos through programs, resources, and information. Check out all 25!
Moving in High School? Worst Advice We Can Give Our Teens: There is a little bit of humor in this article. Sometimes we need to give ourselves a break and let the new place sink in.
High School Senior Stabilization Program: Provides information about the Army’s High School Senior Stabilization Policy (HSSS).
We’re Moving AGAIN? But It’s My Senior Year!: A great collection of alternate options for the senior year.
Military Children, Accommodations, and College Entrance Exams: This is a good resource to let you know how to get your child’s accommodations for the next level of testing. It explains what your local school needs to do as well.
Tips for Making the College Application Process Easier: You’ll find plenty of tips to make the college application process a bit easier for our brats. Please try to get past the number one tip as that one may stop some of you in your tracks.
Resources for College-Bound Brats
College Scholarships for Military Children and How To Apply: Scholarship opportunities from Fisher House and Heroes Legacy.
Where to Find College Scholarships for Military Children: Information regarding scholarship programs for children of service members, extending to all branches of service.
List of Military Scholarships for Service Members, Spouses, and Dependents: An excellent Application-to-Z listing of scholarships available to spouses and dependents.
Transfer Your Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits: The official DoD site explaining the transferability and use of GI Bill benefits.
Yellow Ribbon Program: The official DoD site that explains The Yellow Ribbon Program, available to help cover additional educational costs from private colleges.
The Advantages of Being a Military Brat in College: An article written by a college student about the pros and cons of being a military brat. This site also offers writing and editing internship opportunities for college students.
MOAA Education Assistance: Loans and scholarships for members of Military Officers Association of America. You can check out the site to see if you are eligible.
Scholarships for Military Dependents: Excellent article outlining different types of programs available to military dependents and an explanation of how to apply to many others.
Military Children Scholarships: You’ll find a selection of state-supported scholarships for the children of military service-members. Note that not all states are listed.
State Veteran Education Benefits: Excellent article with links to specific state-based higher education support programs for military members and their families.
Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program: Information about the VA’s program for family members of those killed in action, held POW, or permanently disabled.
CalVet Veteran Services College Fee Waiver: Information about California’s college tuition waiver program for family members of California residents killed in action, held POW, or permanently disabled.
Tuition Assistance for Military Dependents Statutes: A state-by-state guide to specific educational benefits offered to military dependents.
Print Books
- Lilly Hates Goodbyes by Jerilyn Marler. The story of a military child who often has to say goodbye to her father. The story focuses on coping with the emotions that surround a parent being away for duty.
- The Military Brat, the Experiences of Pooh: New Faces by James Washington, Jr. Not Winnie the Pooh! Pooh is a military child who just PCS’d to a new state.
- Father of the Falcons: Coach P’s Military Brats and ‘The Game of Life’ by Rob Dollar. The true story of Coach Marshall Patterson, who mentored military kids at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
- Sometimes We Were Brave by Pat Brisson. Jerome’s mom is in the Navy, currently serving on a ship. Every time before his mom leaves, she tells him to “be brave.” But Jerome doesn’t exactly know what that means, until one day he learns.
- The Italian Lesson: The Irreverent Adventures of a Military Brat and a Sailor by Kimball Medders. This is a piece of nonfiction, telling the experience through accounts, stories, and essays of what it was like being a military kid during the Cold War. The author, Kim, describes his life living in Europe and Ethiopia while his dad served.
- Base Jumping: The Vagabond Life of a Military Brat by William Willis. The personal story of author William Willis and his experiences growing up as a military brat.
- Military Kids Speak: Celebrating the Way You Think About Being a Military Kid by Julie Rahm. A collection of essays written by military kids. Each chapter focuses on a particular point of life for military kids, from making friends, to deployments, to living abroad, you’ll get a better idea of what our military kids think and feel as they go along with the ebb and flow of military life.
- Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World by Admiral William McRaven. McRaven’s address at the University of Texas Austin made media rounds when he said, “If you want to change the world, start by making your bed.” In his book, McRaven shares details about his own life during his service with the Navy SEALs, and he shares how every person can achieve more, even when they think they can’t.
Additional materials and resources can be found on the US Army War College Military Family Programs page.
