2025/Haven-

I have had a lot of experiences as a military child. I have moved around a lot and have had and still have to get used to different situations. With moving so much, I have had many

opportunities to see different places and experience different things. I have been to many of the states in America, but I had not been overseas until August of last year when I moved to Iwakuni, Japan.

When I moved to Japan, I was able to get a job at a young age and learn new things. As a military child, I feel like it’s pretty normal to have struggles as a family. I know my family has had some. With moving so much it makes it hard to keep old friends and make new friends. Making friends has always been a struggle for me, especially finding the right people to associate myself with and it’s something I am still learning and growing from.

Some challenges that we have faced are leaving close ones, especially ones that we have made along the way. However, there is the benefit that you will always have a place to go to, because not being able to see your close ones just means you have an excuse to go see them and visit.

Some advice I would give to other military kids is that even though making friends is hard, there are as many pros as cons to this military life. But in the end, it is all worth it when you have the opportunity to see all these places. Friends come and go but they aren’t worth stressing over. If they are meant to be your friend they will appreciate what a wonderful person you are. I am extremely thankful that I am a Military child and for the experiences I have had.