Are there any military brats out there?

Question

My dad was in the USAF for 22 years and I am proud to have been a military brat. But being one has it's good points and bad points. Please tell me what you think is good about being a military brat and what is bad. I have me own ideas but wish to hear others. Thanks!

(Egland AFB Fla, George AFB Ca., Edwards AFB Ca., Bitburg AB Germany, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho)

Answer 1

Air Force Brat and Air Force Vet.

Tinker AFB, Hill AFB, Altus AFB, Lackland AFB, Chanute AFB, Ellsworth AFB.

Answer 2

Good: Traveling places your peers only read about in books. Meeting people from all around the world--growing up "internationally," with a clear understanding of cultural differences. Growing up with an inherent sense of patriotism (not this fake patriotism people had after 9/11). Approaching the world from a non-prejudicial view (the diversity in the military is unparalleled).

Bad: Getting the "itch" when it's time to move (three years for me). Feeling like you have nowhere to call your own. Meeting people who've been best friends since they were three years old and realizing your longest friendship is three years old. Not trusting and opening up to people easily because it hurts more when you leave if you open up. The empty spot in your life when your Dad misses a big event because he was away at war or on TDY.

Funny that my list of bad is longer. I can't imagine not being a brat--I'm thankful for it, but I know that some of the things I do now stem from my childhood. Ah well...here are the places I lived:
Minot ND, Omaha, NE, Long Beach, CA, Montgomery, AL
Syracuse, NY, Ankara, Turkey, Omaha, NE

Answer 3

Yes, I was, Bergstrom Austin Tex, AFB ( now closed), in England AFB, Alexandria ,La, and Homestead AFB ( now closed as well). It was great, when we lived on base. We always felted safe and we had libraries, PX, dairy queens, and movie theaters . Now this was in the 50's and 60's. The bad part was always being the new kid in school, but being most were military brats as well it worked it's way out. The only bad experience was when we lived off base in Pineville La. The neighbors would not let us play with their children because we were military. Looking back now, it had more to do with the backwardness of the those in La. then us

Answer 4

I grew up in the military (all over america and overseas) and then I was military myself for a long time so I relate. I have never seen such a movie but over the years I've read a few decent books about it that pit it all in perspective. Some have to do with "military brat syndrome", though I never had the issue. Its about kids used to traveling the world and being part of a community. Then as a kid or later not having all of this or someone to relate to. My thing when I was younger was in trying to tell a story. You say something like when I was in Paris. Well its part of the story just as if "when I was in Ohio". To some who have never been anywhere it sonds as if you were showing off. Your accent thing to blend in? DON'T. Doing so just makes you one of the crowd. People are attracted to people who are different or have had other experiences. You are more interesting than the rest of the crowd.Those who are confident to be themselves. My Mom is English and my Dad is American and I spent a huge amount of time living in Germany. So many times I was dropped in the US at some new school. Try to embrace your worldliness and be confident in it. The prom dates will come.

Answer 5

I'm a Navy brat. I was 8 when my dad retired, so I don't remember too much, except that he was out to sea a lot. I only remember Norfolk, but we were in Italy for a bit shortly after I was born. Now my older brother is in the Navy, and one of my younger brothers is a Marine. My youngest brother is only 16 (he was a surprise lol) and he's planning on joining when he's 18. I'm a Marine wife now.

Answer 6

Navy brat here. Daddy was in for 19 years, got out when I was 9.
Lived in Monterey, Key West, somewhere in Maryland, and Alexandria.....in less than 8 years.
Like the other gal, I don't remember much. We never lived on base, always out in the community. Never went on base except for medical reasons or to go see Daddy at his hangar.
Been on a couple of carriers though--those were cool.
I still get shivers when I hear aircraft go overhead. :)

Army wife now, going on 4 years.

Answer 7

there are running three behind me. Taylor 6, Sebastian 4 and Samantha 2. My husband was raised by his uncle who was army, so he is a brat too
Schweinfurt Germany
Ft Knox
Lake Wales Fl
Leesburg Fl
and Ohio bound

Answer 8

My Dad was Navy (Korea), my husband was Navy ('Nam) and my son recently left the Navy for civilian life after serving on subs for six years as a nuclear electrician. I lived in Virginia Beach, VA (Oceana NAB), Bath, Maine, Lynwood, NJ, Sugarloaf Key, FL (Boca Chica NAB), and briefly visited Rota, Spain.

So many memories! So many blanks...

I can remember the coast and trees of Maine, the boardwalk in Jersey (LONG before the casinos hit), catching fish bigger than our boat in Florida and staying at the hurricane shelter when we were visited by Hurricane Betsy, the emergency room visits at Portsmouth Navel Hospital (first name basis with most of the Corpsmen) due to my adrenaline induced sports and the horses. Learning how to say "thank you", "you're welcome", and counting to ten in Spanish before I could ride an Andalusian horse I was in love with in Rota. I remember being made fun of for my southern accent up north and my northern accent down south.

I CAN'T remember the names of all the schools I went to. I never had any long term friendships, or felt any pull to any particular place as "home" until after my father retired. I was in my thirties before I finally settled down in one place long term because after a couple years I'd get "itchy", pack up and move somewhere new.

I know people who've lived in this small town I call home now all their lives. They have neighbors and friends they have known since their diaper days. Deep roots... Some may envy that, those roots.

I'm not one of them. The traveling, the knowledge I gained of the various states I lived in, the difference in the people who lived in those states, the sense of adventure, the caring of the of hospital staff on base (I was there a LOT), even the little girl flirting when we'd go to the commissary... I wouldn't trade my memories for roots. I also learned at a young age how to enjoy my own company. Being the "outsider" is not always a bad thing. We never lived on base, and I was more into exploring than making friends, figuring I'd be leaving soon, anyway.

I was always proud of my Dad serving our country. I was raised to be a patriot. When the Vietnam protesters were spitting on soldiers, I just couldn't understand them (personally, I wanted to spit on Jane Fonda). Sure, protest the war, but why would you not support our guys??? Being a "hippy patriot" was not a popular decision with my party buddies in those days, but I never wavered in my support of the ground troops. An order is an order, like it or not.

If I had the chance to go back in time and choose, I'd pass. I'm glad I got the chance to know my country as well as I do, and extremely proud of the men and women in my family who voluntarily joined to serve our country.

Answer 9

Navy brat, active duty Army officer.

Answer 10

my dad is a ltc in the army he has been in for 28 yrs the bad thing is that he thought the house was the military and the good thing was that people always gave me stuff but thats bout the only thing good of it and the travel that was good