2023/Renee -

Growing up as a military child, I never felt a permanent sense of belonging. Being forced to PCS every three or four years to different places around the world gave me no choice but to restart my life, yet to also explore the world at such a young age. My earliest memory of PCSing was when I was eight years old and was stationed in Vandenberg, California. Being young and oblivious, I was angered at the fact that I had to leave my friends, teachers, and my “childhood” home. I shortly learned I was PCSing to Ramstein, Germany and I slowly adapted to such a vast environment at a very young age. I strayed out of my comfort zone to try to fit into a new school, I crammed in as much of the German language as I could during the span of three years I’ve lived there, and I’ve learned to enjoy such an interesting culture, holidays, and norms that come with it. After feeling like I’ve settled in my new home, my dad came home one day and announced that we have orders to move to McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.

My younger self would’ve been shocked that I kind of felt disappointed to go back to the states. I’ve already met so many new people and I finally felt accustomed to German culture, but I realized again I can’t fight this decision. As I collected my belongings in my bedroom, I also collected the memories I made in Germany.

After moving to New Jersey, I felt the same emotional process I did when I was eight years old. You’d think that you’d learn to adapt to constant change throughout your life, but even as a young teenager at this point, I felt like I never really had a home and a sense of belonging. My family received orders to PCS to Okinawa, Japan, and I felt various emotions running through my head at once. My past overseas experiences were breathtaking and unforgettable, yet I hoped that Japan would treat me to fun experiences even when the culture itself is very foreign to me.

Traveling to places across the island, trying new food, and meeting new friends made my stay in Okinawa an amazing experience that a teenager could ever ask for. I’ve lived there for four years, and as I grew older, I’ve realized that being a military child can be tough when you need emotional support in school and in your life in general. It’s difficult to adapt to completely different environments when you try to balance school life and your personal life. Looking back, I’ve realized that this life was worth it. I’ve traveled across the world at such a young age with the people I loved the most. I can even pass down countless stories to the children of my own. As I finish my high school career and I see my military child life coming to an end, I’ll always keep in mind that I had an unforgettable childhood.