Never once in my life did I think it was weird that we moved around so much. When you live around nothing but a bunch of military kids who are always moving it seems normal. I always thought it was sorta strange when I met someone who told me they never left the town they were born in. Heck, I still think it’s odd to hear that. I can’t imagine not traveling, not seeing some of the places we got to see because of where we my dad was stationed. I grew up proud of being a military kid. Having uniforms all over the house was no big deal. I knew how to pack quickly and was never afraid of being the new kid at school. Being a brat made me resilient and adaptable. I had discipline because heaven help you if you got in trouble on base it wasn’t just your parents that were going to hear about it! I never felt like I was owed something because my dad was a Sailor. I didn’t feel like he worked so that I wouldn’t have to pay for college. I always was a little confused why we would get a certificate at his reenlistments thanking us for supporting him. His job was just that, his job. It was who HE was.
Obviously my military upbringing didn’t scar me too badly seeing as how I’m a Sailor myself these days. Oh and I married a Marine, because I just can’t seem to get away from the military community. My dad couldn’t help but shake his head when I told him I was following in his footsteps and enlisting. I was 28 years old and had a degree when I left for boot camp. He thought I was off my rocker to do it but he supported my decision. I look back now as an adult and still don’t see all the negative things people assume come with being a brat. I’m thankful that I had the chance to have a role model in my life like my father . I’m thankful I got to have so many amazing adventures that come with being a brat. And these days I’m pretty thankful that I have been able to have the military career that I do. It makes me understand why he did what he did just a bit more and makes me even more proud that I’m a brat.
