2024/Moneen -

If I were to compare a military child to an animal, I would pick a chameleon. Being a military child is a unique journey filled with constant change, unpredictability, and resilience. Adapting is not only a skill learned, but a way of life as we go through relocations, relationships, parents getting deployed, and all the dynamics of being a military connected child.

Similar to a chameleon I have learned to adjust to new schools, communities, and culture. I can change color and seamlessly blend into my new surroundings and create new connections. As I get older, I think of moving as a fresh start. I take everything I learned from my last base, and use that to be a better person. I have created lots of friendships that helped me feel like I belong and help each transition become smoother. With this, I am able to adapt to change a lot faster. I am used to change, but change doesn’t always have to be a bad thing; change can also be good. I remember not wanting to move to Okinawa because I didn’t want to leave my friends, but I was able to create new friendships, and experience new things.

Both military children and chameleons exhibit resilience in unfriendly conditions. Being a military child means having a parent deployed, or just overall being away from your family. I am lucky enough to have such an amazing support system for when my dad is gone. But when he isn’t we make sure to spend a lot of time together as a family and go on adventures and try new things all together. I have also been lucky enough to be stationed in Japan for 12 years, so traveling to the Philippines and visiting family isn’t hard and it isn’t very far.

But being a military child is not always negative; I have learned important life skills like being independent. I have learned to become self-reliant and resourceful, taking on responsibilities beyond their years. Whether it's managing household chores or supporting my brother during parental absences, military children demonstrate independence and maturity, embodying the spirit of resilience in the face of adversity.

My favorite part about being a military child is experiencing and learning about new cultures. Being stationed in Japan for almost 12 years, I have been able to explore the big cities like Tokyo and go to the more underrated places like Aomori. While living in Yokosuka I got to meet new people, create lifelong friendships, and hop on a train every weekend to go to Tokyo or Yokohama. I got to experience living in the snowiest city in the world when I lived in Misawa and explored the Northern part of Japan. We got to go on many road trips and got in touch with nature as we lived there. Finally, living in Okinawa was so different from mainland Japan. It is very tropical and filled with beautiful beaches.

In essence, military children mirror the characteristics of chameleons, embodying adaptability, resilience, independence, and versatility. Despite the challenges I have faced, I was able to navigate the complexities of military life with grace and determination, leaving an indelible mark on society.