You’re A Military Brat If These Signs Apply To You
The term "Military Brat" is not meant to disrespect children of military members. It is worn like a badge of honor by them, and they are not shy about living up to what is viewed as the typical behaviors and following the patterns of conventional kids from military families. In this article, we will show you many telltale signs that you or someone you know is a military brat.
Calling Your Parents' Friends Major Or Colonel
Children of military parents frequently address their parents' friends using their military ranking instead of their first names. For example, they might say "Colonel Smith" or "Major Johnson" instead of just their first names.
Such behavior is commonplace within military families because it shows respect for the rank and the person's position in the military. It is like how kids might call their teacher "Miss" or "Sir." It is a way of showing respect and following the military culture that their families are, or were, part of.
Living In A Gated Community
Choosing to live and raise their families in a gated community mirrors the familiarity of life on a military base for many military brats. These communities offer a sense of security and convenience akin to base life, where essentials are within reach or nearby.
The structured environment shared amenities, and close-knit atmosphere resonate with the upbringing of military families, fostering a sense of belonging and continuity amidst the transient nature of military life. It is a natural gravitation towards what feels like home, even beyond the safe confines of the base.
Going To Several Different Schools
Growing up as a military brat means lots of moving. Military families often relocate to new places every few years. This means new houses, new neighborhoods, and new schools. For military kids, change becomes normal. They learn to make friends quickly because they might have to say goodbye soon. As soon as school is over, the packing begins.
Each move brings excitement and challenges. But it also teaches adaptability and resilience. Although it is difficult to leave behind friends and familiar places, military brats become experts at starting over and finding their footing in new environments.
Survival Food Or Rations Are Always Stocked
A telltale sign of a military brat is the impeccably stocked pantry, resembling pre-made meal packages their parents had during deployments. Rows of neatly arranged rations, compact and ready-to-eat, line the shelves.
Meals Ready-to-Eat, or MREs, have a main course, side, bread, and a dessert treat. Military brats stock up on non-perishable foods and energy bars, so the pantry mirrors the preparedness instilled by military life. It is a unique glimpse into a lifestyle where the comfort of having essentials on hand is second nature, reflecting the adaptability ingrained in those raised in a military environment.
The United States Flag Is Inside Your Church
Military bases feature churches and chapels, like schools with the United States flag. Growing up as military brats, kids find comfort in attending churches near home and with the flag on display inside. The familiar sight of the American flag within these sacred spaces shows unity and shared purpose associated with military life.
For these children, choosing a church with a military presence becomes a natural extension of how they were raised, providing a connection in a lifestyle defined by change and relocation.
Referring To People By Their Last Names
In the military, troops often call each other by their last names as a sign of respect and camaraderie. This tradition occasionally travels into their children's lives, who also start addressing people by surnames.
When kids do this, it is often seen as a hint that they come from a military family, earning them the nickname "Military brats." It is their way of displaying respect to someone and showing pride in their family's service. This naming custom becomes a distinctive marker of their upbringing.
Frequent Use Of Acronyms And Short Forms
The parents in the military shape a unique language for military brats. Constantly surrounded by military culture, they effortlessly incorporate short forms and acronyms into their speech. These linguistic shortcuts become second nature, reflecting their upbringing within the structured environment of military life.
Whether discussing deployments, ranks, or base locations, military brats communicate efficiently with a language all their own, a testament to the influence of their parents' service on their everyday interactions. P.C.S., permanent change of station, involves the relocation of a military member and their families.
Speaking In The Phonetic Alphabet
Military brats, accustomed to the sounds of military life, fluently have conversations using a unique phonetic alphabet. Raised in a world where A is Alpha and Z is Zulu, their language extends beyond the conventional ABCs. From Bravo to Tango, their bag is a symphony of military jargon.
Adaptability is what they do best, shifting between civilian and military circles. In this word ballet, military brats find a common language, a coded connection mirroring the footsteps of their parents' service-driven journey.
Dressing And Living With Professional Perfection
You can spot a military brat by their precision in every aspect of life. Their tidy homes resemble barracks, with clothes crisply ironed, hairstyles prim and proper, and nails impeccably manicured. Raised in a world of discipline, they carry the essence of military order into civilian life.
Every detail is attended to with care, reflecting the structured upbringing they experienced. In their demeanor and appearance, signs of the regimented lifestyle persist, a testament to the enduring influence of their military roots.
Chores Were Not A Request
Growing up as children of military personnel, chores were not just tasks. They were ingrained into our daily routine. While other parents might have to remind their kids constantly or plead with them, for us, it was mandatory. There was no room for negotiation or excuses.
From making their beds with military precision to maintaining impeccable cleanliness, chores were a non-negotiable part of our upbringing. This disciplined approach instilled the necessary responsibility and taught kids the importance of diligence and teamwork in every aspect of life.
Thinking Regular Stores Are Too Expensive
A sure sign you are a military brat is being shocked when seeing civilian prices. Stepping into a regular store, your eyes widen at the cost of everyday items. The sticker shock hits hard because toothpaste, cereal, and even a simple pen seem overly extravagant. It is not just the prices. It is the revelation that tax is a reality beyond the base.
Commissary life has sheltered you from this fiscal reality, and as you fumble with your wallet, you realize civilian shopping is a whole new battlefield, where prices are not just numbers but an attack on your wallet.
Most Of Your Friends Are Miltary Brats
Growing up as a military brat typically means forming bonds with other kids in similar situations. Conversations between them naturally go towards shared experiences. Chats about where their parents were stationed, the challenges of changing schools frequently, and adapting to new environments.
These connections form a sign of solidarity, a mutual understanding of the unstable lifestyle and the unique challenges presented. In these friendships, they find a sense of belonging, knowing they are not alone in navigating the ups and downs of military life.
Maintaining Many Friendships In Different States
Military brats often cultivate friendships across states as their parents, serving in the military, relocate frequently. Terms of service typically last three years, allowing time for strong bonds to form before another move.
The fleeting life of the brats fosters adaptability and resilience in these children, who learn to connect with new peers quickly. Despite the challenges of constant change, military brats often cherish the diverse friendships they have formed, finding comfort in a network that spans cities, states, and even countries.
Less Than 15 Minutes Early Means You Are Late
Children of military parents, known as military brats, develop a keen sense of punctuality ingrained by their upbringing on bases. Being 15 minutes early is synonymous with being on time for them. This emphasis on being on time stems from the structured environment of military life, where precision and discipline are constants like death and taxes.
The habit of arriving early becomes second nature, a reflection of the values instilled in them by their parent's military service. It shapes these children into individuals who appreciate the importance of timeliness and order in their daily lives.
Uncomfortable Living In A Home For Too Long
A distinct trait of military brats is being slightly uneasy with living in the same home for a prolonged time, often stemming from an unstable upbringing. Their discomfort with extended stays and a perpetual urge to relocate reflect the norm of frequent address changes in a military lifestyle. This constant state of transition becomes ingrained, fostering a desire for new horizons.
Adaptability and resilience become second nature for military families, making a static environment feel unfamiliar. Buried within military brats, the impulse to move to display a stark reminder of their vigorous and ever-changing upbringing.
Panic Sets In Without Having Military Benefits
Growing up in a world of structured support, the military brat often struggles to think about life without the safety net of parental benefits. Financial independence seems daunting, intertwined with the absence of familiar perks like healthcare and housing allowances.
The belief in self-sufficiency crumbles under the backdrop of a childhood shaped by military provisions. Adjusting to civilian life, they confront the reality of navigating finances solo, playing tug-of-war with the notion that survival hinges on their ability to thrive beyond the safety of military benefits.
Arranging Meetings Like A Military Briefing
One unmistakable trait of a military brat is their natural inclination to employ the 24-hour clock in casual conversation. For instance, instead of saying "8 am," they shamelessly say "Zero eight hundred hours."
This habit stems from growing up in an environment where precision and clarity in communication, even regarding time, was everyday life. It is not just a quirk. It also reflects their upbringing, where military customs and norms are second nature. This linguistic tendency becomes ingrained, distinguishing them from their civilian peers.
Standing For The Anthem At The Movies
For military brats, the pre-movie ritual of the national anthem on base becomes ingrained, a symbol of unity and pride. So, when they venture into civilian theaters and the anthem does not precede the film, it is a jarring absence.
It is an obvious sign of their upbringing and a subtle reminder of their unique cultural experience. While others may not notice, military brats are keenly aware of the difference, a small but significant reminder of the world they come from and the bonds that tie them to it.
Prepared For Attacks Instead Of Natural Disasters In School
Military brats often stand out because they are used to different things. Like in school, while others were learning what to do during hurricanes or earthquakes, military kids were prepping for terrorist attacks. It is like being from a different world.
Instead of worrying about intense winds or shaking ground, they learned about staying safe if something scary happened. It is one of the details that make them unique and sometimes makes fitting in slightly tricky. But it is also part of what gives them their strength and adaptability.
Born In Another Country But Are Not From There
A sure sign of a military brat is their constant need to clarify that they were born in a foreign country but are not actually from there. Growing up on a base and living the culture means moving around a lot, making it tricky to pinpoint one's home.
This repetition of explaining their birthplace is another example of the different challenges faced by kids in military families. It is not just about where they were born. The constantly changing nature of their upbringing shapes their identity.
Your Social Security Number Was Something You Knew
Many children growing up on a military base needed to learn their social security number early on. This is much different compared to their peers in public schools, who typically need to call home for such information.
This early familiarity is a hallmark of being a military brat, as the always-changing nature of military life necessitates a readiness to adapt quickly to new environments and procedures. Memorizing their social security number becomes second nature, a small but significant part of the unique upbringing experienced by children in military families.
A Profound Respect For Anyone In Uniform
If someone looks up to people in uniforms with vigor, like military, police, fire, or first responders, chances are they grew up in a military family. Military brats often show extra respect for folks in uniform because they have been around it their whole lives.
But it is not just about military uniforms. It is any uniform that represents service and protection. They see these folks as heroes who put their lives on the line to keep others safe and earn them a lot of admiration.
Bowling Is Your Sport
Military brats typically display a remarkable fandom for bowling. They show an uncanny ability to execute precise spins. The roots of this talent trace back to a peculiar yet widespread pastime within the military culture of bowling. At each duty station, a bowling alley becomes a definite fixture, fostering an environment where this person has devoted an unhealthy amount of time refining their skills.
The strange connection between military life and bowling has sculpted their prowess on the lanes, resulting in an extraordinary talent that stands out even on casual trips to the bowling alleys.
Early To Rise And Exercise
Waking before dawn, the routine of a military brat is evident. Rising with the first light, their upbringing shines through in disciplined exercise regimens. With parents stationed on base, access to the gym was a given, fostering a culture of physical fitness.
Before most are even stirring, they're already sweating it out, echoing the structured lifestyle of military life. The sound of weights clinking and sneakers hitting the ground punctuates the pre-dawn stillness, a testament to their upbringing amidst the rigor and order of military existence.
Working Out At Home Or A Local Gym Is Preferred
A clear indicator of someone with a military upbringing is their preference for exercising at home or a nearby gym. Growing up on base means having easy access to these facilities, which become familiar and comforting.
Base gyms, often free of charge, offer a range of amenities, including fitness classes and activities for all ages. Some stations even boast swimming pools. For those accustomed to this lifestyle, the gym serves as a place to stay fit and symbolizes their upbringing and sense of community.
Familiarity With The Metric System
Understanding the Metric system frequently signals a background as a military brat. In my repertoire of diverse knowledge, global upbringing introduced me to a system universally embraced, excluding America. The disparity surfaces when toggling between liters and gallons, kilometers and miles.
Becoming familiar with the Metric system is crucial for mobile military families, cultivating a distinctive viewpoint and proficiency that distinguishes them. This skill becomes a part of their identity, reflecting their ability to adapt to a world working under a different measurement example.
Traveled To More Countries Than Most Growing Up
One sure sign of a military brat is their remarkable familiarity with diverse cultures. This likely was supported by their upbringing in many countries. Constantly relocating alongside their military parents, they absorb languages, customs, and traditions like sponges, effortlessly adapting to new environments.
Growing up in this culture instilled a unique perspective, fostering open-mindedness and an appreciation for global diversity. With a passport full of stamps and plenty of unique experiences, they navigate the world with an above-average understanding and respect for the beauty of human differences.
Late With Getting A Driver's License
Growing up on a military base often means not needing a driver's license. With everything conveniently within walking distance, the reliance on cars diminishes. Unlike kids their age in the U.S., most military brats are content without the typical teenage growing desire to drive once they turn the age of 16.
Raised in a tightly knit community where walking or biking is the norm, the idea of driving isn't as alluring. Instead, they navigate their surroundings on foot and move away from depending on their parents and changing with their environment.
Flown On A Plane Carrying A Military Humvee
Someone raised on a base is a military brat. This person is accustomed to the unconventional. Flying on planes with a Humvee or other military vehicles is second nature to them. Surrounded by the hum of engines and the clatter of equipment, they find comfort in the familiarity of artillery.
While most passengers might feel uneasy during a flight, brats are more at ease when they are surrounded by the calming presence of military machinery, which is proof of a life shaped by the results of military deployments.
Daring To Be Social With Your Neighbor
Military brats often stand out by their openness to building relationships with neighbors. Unlike those who prefer privacy, they thrive in the familiarity of a base where everyone knows each other. Growing up in a tightly-knit community fosters a team-oriented mindset, making them naturally inclined to connect with those around them.
Children of troops and personnel lean more towards building relationships with neighbors, which reflects that they were raised where camaraderie and support are valued, separating them from others who place their privacy over the community.
Sharing Living Space With Fellow Students And Teachers
A signal that someone is a military brat is when they tell stories about living arrangements that defy typical civilian experiences. Whether it is reminiscing about cramped apartments where classmates, teachers, and parents' colleagues were neighbors or sprawling duplexes with multiple levels, the theme of community living with fellow military families remains constant.
These personal tales paint a picture of a distinctive life shaped by the continuously changing nature of military life, where bonds are formed in shared spaces, and the familiarity of faces extends beyond the classroom or workplace.
Speaking English Better Than Kids Raised In The U.S.
You can pretty much tell if someone is a military brat because they speak and write English better than most at their age. That is because they might have lived overseas or on military bases in the U.S. The schools on-site teach more discipline than regular public schools.
Students who attended classes learn to be almost perfect with grammar and language skills. If you meet someone with that sharp language game and seems to have a talent for proper writing, chances are they have grown up around the services.
Questioning People Who Have Never Left Their State
When someone can't quite understand why some folks never venture beyond their home state, it might hint they are a military brat. Military families move around a lot, hopping from base to base. For those families, staying in one place their whole life seems strange.
They are used to new faces, different cultures, and changing landscapes. It is like they speak a different language compared to those who have always called one place home. It is not a good or bad thing. It is simply a different perspective on living life.
Your Dad Scared Most Neighborhood Kids
Military brats' parents are like superheroes to others because they are seen as intense, disciplined, and incredibly fit. Their presence can feel overwhelming, like a storm about to hit. They train hard and wake up at dawn to run miles and lift weights. Their focus is laser-sharp, making them seem like they can see through walls.
Their disciplined lifestyle can make even the bravest soul feel small. And their physical fitness is like they were born to conquer mountains. Being around them, people cannot help but feel a mixture of awe and intimidation.
Military Brats Support Each Other
In online chat groups, military brats connect through shared experiences, bonding over a unique upbringing. Amidst digital banter, they exchange jokes and relive tales of uncertain childhoods filled with constant relocations and base living. Their bond overcomes distance as they find a common understanding of the challenges of adapting to new environments.
Through these virtual gatherings, friendships bloom, providing a support system rooted in the common thread of military life. These online connections serve as a safety net, uniting military brats in a shared nostalgia only they can relate to.
Not Seeing Parents While In College
The hallmark of a military brat navigating college often means missing out on familiar comforts. With parents stationed abroad, visits home become scarce, leaving a hole where family gatherings once filled the calendar.
While peers enjoy home-cooked meals and the familiarity of their childhood bedrooms, military brats adapt to dorm life, forging connections in the unfamiliar. Their durability is on full display as they face the challenges of distance, cherishing moments with family whenever possible while embracing the unique journey that sets them apart.
Supporting Siblings When A Non-Military Parent Struggles
You can tell someone's from a military family when they step up to support their siblings or ailing parent. They seem like rocks, steady and firm, even when things get tough. Growing up with discipline and resilience, they've learned to handle pressure and take charge when needed.
It is in their DNA to keep the family together and to tackle challenges head-on. They do not back down easily and face adversity with courage and determination. Strength, support, and unwavering resolve are the characteristics of someone with a military upbringing.
Taking Issue With Movies Based On The Military
One clear sign that someone is a military brat is how they critique Hollywood military movies. For instance, they might point out details like Tom Cruise in Top Gun going outside without a hat because this is a no-no in the military, and his haircut does not meet regulation standards.
These tiny errors, additions, or versions of films that stray from actual base life might seem insignificant to others, but they stand out like a sore thumb to brats. It is all about attention to detail and accuracy when telling a story similar to their upbringing.
Patriotic Songs Move You Emotionally
Military brats routinely show a distinctive emotional connection to patriotic songs, mirroring their upbringing in a volatile military lifestyle. Once they hear songs like "America the Beautiful" or "Lift Every Voice and Sing," their reactions are intense. These tunes resonate deeply, stirring a mix of pride, nostalgia, and a sense of sacrifice.
The constant relocation and exposure to diverse cultures give them a greater appreciation for their country's strength. Their emotional response becomes a trademark of their childhood, capturing the many experiences that define the military brat's patriotic spirit.
Tears For A Parents' Return
Military brats reveal their true colors when a parent or family member returns from service. Tears flow freely, not from sadness but from overwhelming relief that their loved one is alive and back home.
The fear of losing a family member in the line of duty looms large, making each reunion a moment of profound gratitude. These emotional displays, though simple, speak volumes about the deep bond between military families and the immense joy of having their siblings or parents safely home again.
