April: Month Of Military Child
Military Kids
The Department of Defense (DOD) began its initiative to celebrate the Month of the Military Child in April 1986. Every year for the last 36 years, DOD has worked with “national, state, and local government, schools, military serving organizations, companies, and private citizens in celebrating military children and the sacrifices they make” as part of an active-duty military family.
The population of military kids is certainly worthy of attention to ensure our military families and children are well supported. While the total number of active duty and reserve service members at present is over 2 million, the total number of military children is just over 1.6 million (with the vast majority being under the age of 18). In addition, a recent survey from military spouses found that 69% of all active duty spouses had at least one child under the age of 18 living at home (full or part-time). Importantly, this survey also showed “a lower percentage of spouses expressed support for their member spouse to stay on active duty in 2021 compared with all other survey years back to2012.” Reasons cited included dissatisfaction with the military way of life was the biggest contributing factor for spouses favoring their member spouse to leave active duty.
DOD
DOD acknowledges that “Military families move on average every two to three years, impacting military children through changing schools and support networks.” And one of the top problems reported by military spouses on the survey? Availability of child care following a PCS (permanent change of station) move.
Thus, the challenges faced by military families and children are not insignificant and may ultimately affect retention rates. Indeed, Defense Department and Army personnel officials have noted “the best way to maintain [high retention rates] is to not only take care of soldiers but their families as well.” Just another way of saying, “recruit the soldier […], retain the family.”
Ultimately, and perhaps anecdotally (although there is more research now about the long-term impact of military service on children), military kids can be both more resilient and more vulnerable to the challenges of the military lifestyle. If you know a military kid, they might tell you they love the travel, meeting new friends, and trying new things! Other military kids might tell you they struggle leaving friends, extracurriculars, schools, and sometimes even pets behind when the next move comes. But unique challenges can grow unique kids – so put on your purple, thank the military kids in your life, and read up on how you can support other military kids in your community!
The official flower of the military child is the dandelion – known for its soaring seeds, the dandelion can grow everywhere. If you have a box of tissues handy, watch these parents give thanks to their military kids!
