10 of the Coolest Reasons to be a Military Kid

It’s here! It’s finally here! As you probably know, the entire month of April is dedicated to our most amazing military children. I have collaborated with and interviewed a large number of these wonderful children and compiled a “Top 10” list to keep the positive momentum going when the road seems to never end for both the parents and children. All of these wonderful reasons are well-balanced, but feel free to pick each one and apply them to your family’s list of priorities.

1. The ability to travel the continental United States and live abroad.

Not many kids have had the opportunity to travel extensively, much less fly in an airplane before they learn to walk. Take advantage of your new geographic location highlights with every move, and explore your surroundings.

2. Meet and connect with other military friends who are in the same deployment or separation situation.

There is most certainly a set of unique experiences that only other military children can identify in one another. These relationships can lead to a connection and bond that often form lasting friendships.

3. Have extended family all over the world.

I can name at least twenty different installations, ships, or towns where we have close friends living. The military camaraderie among service members, spouses, and children most definitely transcends the true meaning of family.

4. Born with a service-oriented mentality.

Military children are natural leaders, and by having a service member-parent, there is value placed on service to country and others by seeing these character builders first-hand. Studies show that ex-military kids end up pursuing service-related careers in very high numbers, such as military service, teaching, counseling, police, nursing, and foreign service work most highly represented in military children’s career statistics.

5. Exposure to diversity and opportunities to embrace others who are different.

There is a culture of resilience and adaptivity, constant loss of friendship ties, a facility or knack for making new friends, never having a hometown, and an extensive exposure to foreign cultures and languages. Melting pots are great.

6. A strong sense of patriotism.

The strong upbringing and constant exposure to military culture makes for an outstanding community and cultural citizen.

7. Exude a tremendous amount of courage.

Being courageous and upholding social justice, especially at a young age, can be difficult. You must have the courage to set your own path and uphold the value of what you feel is right.

8. Increased graduation rates.

Military children graduate from college at a higher rate than the civilian population and divorce at a lower rate (MilitaryOneSource). Just another fact to help you persevere.

9. Innately resourceful.

They know where to look for things and have an unwillingness to quit when an obstacle is presented. An example: when my 6-year-old son learned I forgot to bring my wallet to purchase my school lunch, he informed me he had put a pack of peanut butter crackers in my purse the day before “just in case.” Always have a back-up plan and think of alternatives to accomplish a goal, no matter if the course alters.

10. Military children are resilient leaders.

Resilience is the capacity to bounce back from misfortune, change, and failure. It’s okay to get discouraged, but a resilient leader will keep going instead of becoming discouraged and giving up. Leaders keep fighting (MilitaryOneSource).

No one ever said the military lifestyle was easy. Most children never have to think about being uprooted and expected to reintegrate into a new school, home, geographic location, or social networks at all, much less every few years. Constantly having the ever-present realities and stress of the military lifestyle can be daunting on adults, much less our children. Our military children are the best of us and this “Top 10” list above embodies only a handful of the reasons they are so cool! So, in honor of our military children, please remember their sacrifices today and every day, and go out of your way to let them know how very special they are to you and to our great country.

What would you add to our “Top 10” list? Share with us!