2023/Ryan -

My name is Ryan Ongkeko and I am in third grade at E.C Killin Elementary school. I live in Camp New Lester, Okinawa, Japan. I am here with my family because my father serves in the military.

Some of the advantages of being a military child are I can go places I have never been but some people cannot so I can move to multiple places. I get discounts for being a military child. When I go to new places I can learn different languages from the different places I go. I can taste different foods and I can make new friends.

Being a military child comes with many challenges. I have some challenges with my father deploying because last time he was deployed for eight months or more! Our military parent deploying is a challenge because you probably wouldn’t know when they are coming back. Sometimes your military parents will be on duty which means they are at work all day and I don't really like that!

These are some things about being a military child.