Lynn Combs

This is the official seal of the Military BRAT… not military child, not military kid, and defiantly not little champ…

Being called a military brat is not derogatory. It is what we are and what we stand for. Originally BRAT stood for British Regimental Attached Traveler; simply put any family member traveling with a soldier. However today it has come to stand for the traits that every Military Brat displays… “B” is for the Brave child carrying on while their parent(s) are off defending the rights and freedoms for one and all. “R” is for the Responsible child that can step up in any situation. “A” is for the Adaptable child who can make anyplace home. “T” is for a Tolerant child who has lived in different places and cultures and can show tolerance and acceptance for them all.

I am a MILITARY BRAT and proud of it!

I bring this up because April 30th is National Military Brats Day. On this day we honor all of those who grew up as a Military Brat. Military Brats, Inc. founded National Military Brats Day in 2016 to pay tribute to the sacrifices of the children of Military personnel every where. This day includes those whose parents are currently serving and those who are now veterans.

Approximately 1 in 25 Americans is a Military Brat. They make up a diverse cultural group whose members live in all 50 states, in most American Territories and numerable foreign countries. Unlike most children who shared the same classmates K-12, Brats often attend anywhere between 5 to 12 different schools. They seldom stay in the same place for more than a year or two.

Once a nomadic band who struggled to stay in touch, Military Brats are leveraging Social Media to pick up and reconnect the disjointed pieces of their childhood. Through significant sites such as The Military Brats Registry, Operation Foot Locker, American Overseas Schools Historical Society, and others, Brats are reconnecting with friends they made during their parents’ service. They are sharing stories and experiences from their youth.

You can help support Military Brats Day by writing the folks in Congress and asking them to support National Military Brats Day on April 30th. Visit Military Brats, Inc to learn more.

The Dandelion – The Official Flower of the Military Child

Author Unknown

The official flower of the military brat is the dandelion. Why? The plant puts down roots almost anywhere, and it’s almost impossible to destroy. It’s an unpretentious plant, yet good looking. It’s a survivor in a broad range of climates. Military brats bloom everywhere the winds carry them. They are hardy and upright. Their roots are strong, cultivated deeply in the culture of the military, planted swiftly and surely. They’re ready to fly in the breezes that take them to new adventures, new lands, and new friends.

Experts say that military brats are well-rounded, culturally aware, tolerant, and extremely resilient. Military brats have learned from an early age that home is where their hearts are, that a good friend can be found in every corner of the world, and that education doesn’t only come from school. They live history. They learn that to survive means to adapt, that the door that closes one chapter of their life opens up to a new and exciting adventure full of new friends and new experiences.