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==Research== ==Research==
].]] ].]]
Research on military brats is a relatively recent endeavor. For decades, virtually everything known sociologically about military brats was the result of clinical reviews by military ]s and ]s. Because they were based upon patients seeking counselling, these studies over-emphasized the negative attributes of growing up in a military family.<ref>Ender (2002) p xvii</ref> Research on military brats is a relatively recent endeavor. For decades, ] knowledge about military brats was based on clinical reviews by military ]s and ]s. Because they were based upon ] of patients seeking counselling, these studies over-emphasized the negative attributes of growing up in a military family.<ref>Ender (2002) p xvii</ref>


In the 1970's Sociologist ] coined the term ] (TCKs) for a child who follows his parents "into another culture".<ref>Sociologist David Pollock describes a TCK as "a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents' culture. The TCK builds relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full ownership of any. Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the TCK's life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of a similar background." Both quoted in Reken.</ref> Useem used the term "Third Culture Kids" because TCKs integrate aspects of their birth culture (the first culture) and the new culture (the second culture), creating a unique "third culture". Military brats compose the largest groups of TCKs.<ref>Prior to the end of WWII and the rise of two global Superpowers, missionaries were the largest group of TCKs. After WWII the children of military and government personell became the largest components of TCKs: Military (30%), Government (23%), Missionary (17%), Business (16%), and "Other" (14%).Cotrell (2002) p230</ref> In the 1970's sociologist ] coined the term ] (TCKs) for a child who follows his parents "into another culture".<ref>Sociologist David Pollock describes a TCK as "a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents' culture. The TCK builds relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full ownership of any. Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the TCK's life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of a similar background." Both quoted in Reken.</ref> Useem used the term "Third Culture Kids" because TCKs integrate aspects of their birth culture (the first culture) and the new culture (the second culture), creating a unique "third culture". Military brats compose the largest groups of TCKs.<ref>Prior to the end of WWII and the rise of two global superpowers, missionaries were the largest group of TCKs. After WWII, the children of military and government personnel became the largest components of TCKs: Military (30%), Government (23%), Missionary (17%), Business (16%), and "Other" (14%). Cotrell (2002), p. 230</ref> <!-- Where is detail on Cotrell ref, don't see it listed anywhere. -->


It wasn't until the 1980s, however, that systematic research began on military brats. Responding to social and psychological issues found in military families and communities, the U.S. Armed Forces sponsored research on the long term impact of growing up as a military brat.<ref>Ender (2002) p xxv Extrapolating results to other country's brats from U.S. studies is impossible. Other countries may have very different cultures in their armed forces. While the U.S. military is an all-volunteer force, some countries have mandatory service commitments. The U.S. has a strong presence in other countries&mdash;many countries may not deploy their servicemen (and families) to other countries. The U.S. forces are often deployed all over the world for "police actions," while other countries may be less reluctant to do so, or may be involved in active wars in their own regions. In foreign countries, the U.S. often has military bases with stores, ], and the '']'' newspaper, but other countries may not provide this link to their home country. Most places to which the U.S. military sends families will have an U.S. curriculum at a ] school; other countries may expect their dependent child to attend the local schools. These are just a few of numerous differences between the U.S. armed forces and other countries' armed forces; how these differences affect non-U.S. military brats is (as of yet) under-researched.</ref> Since most of the studies are on adult brats, the impact of the post-] era is only starting to become available.<ref name = "deploy" /><ref name = "walls" /> It wasn't until the 1980s, however, that systematic research began on military brats. Responding to social and psychological issues observed among military families and communities, the U.S. Armed Forces sponsored research on the long term impact of growing up as a military brat.<ref>Ender (2002) p xxv Extrapolating results to other country's brats from U.S. studies is impossible. Other countries may have very different cultures in their armed forces. While the U.S. military is an all-volunteer force, some countries have mandatory service commitments. The U.S. has a strong presence in other countries&mdash;many countries may not deploy their servicemen (and families) to other countries. The U.S. forces are often deployed all over the world for "police actions," while other countries may be less reluctant to do so, or may be involved in active wars in their own regions. In foreign countries, the U.S. often has military bases with stores, ], and the '']'' newspaper, but other countries may not provide this link to their home country. Most places to which the U.S. military sends families will have an U.S. curriculum at a ] school; other countries may expect their dependent child to attend the local schools. These are just a few of numerous differences between the U.S. armed forces and other countries' armed forces; how these differences affect non-U.S. military brats is (as of yet) under-researched.</ref> Since most of the studies are on adult brats, the impact of the post-] era is only starting to become available.<ref name = "deploy" /><ref name = "walls" />


In 1991, ] published the book '''Military Brat: Legacies from Inside the Fortress.''' In researching this book, Wertsch interviewed over 80 military brats and identified common themes. While this book does not perport to be a scientific study, much of the subsequent research is designed to validate her findings. Wertsch is one of the most recognized experts on the subject of military brats. In 1991, ] &mdash; a recognized expert on military brats{{cn}} &mdash; published the book ''Military Brat: Legacies from Inside the Fortress.'' In researching this book, Wertsch identified common themes from interviews of over 80 military brats. While this book does not purport to be a scientific study, subsequent research has been designed to test and validate her findings.


===Proud to be a Brat=== ===Proud to be a Brat===
] is the appropriation of a pejorative epithet by its target to make make what once was an insult into a positive term. Insults such as ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ] lost their pejorative meaning when embraced by the group they described. Other groups that are now in the process of rehabilitating hurtful terms include: ], ], ], and ]. “By taking control over a term that has been used against oneself and one’s group, one takes greater control over one’s self-image, self-conception, or self-understanding, and limits the ability of others to categorize oneself or one’s group in a totalizing way.”<ref>Godrej, Farah. “Spaces for Counter-Narratives: The Phenomenology of Reclamation” Accessed Dec8, 2006. GeorgeTown University, Department of Government.]</ref> While individuals within the described communities may not like the origins of the term, reclaimed terms are worn with a certain amount of pride. ] is the appropriation of a ] ] by its target to make make what once was an insult into a positive term. Insults such as ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ] lost their pejorative meaning when embraced by the groups they described. Other groups that are rehabilitating terms include: ], ], ], and ]. “By taking control over a term that has been used against oneself and one’s group, one takes greater control over one’s self-image, self-conception, or self-understanding, and limits the ability of others to categorize oneself or one’s group in a totalizing way.”<ref>Godrej, Farah. GeorgeTown University, Department of Government. Accessed Dec 8, 2006.</ref> Individuals within the described communities may not like the origins of the terms, but reclaimed terms are worn with a certain amount of pride.<!-- This sentence reads like advocacy and original research: for it not to be OR, it needs a citation. Also, this is re-stated at the end of the next paragraph (and cited there) - needs to be combined to say it only once. -->


To outsiders, the use of the term “brat” sounds insulting. They may not understand that brats accept and embrace the term. Sociologist Karen Williams used the term “brat” reluctantly in her research, but only with the disclaimer, “to follow the wishes of the participants. It is a term that they use and feel comfortable with."<ref>Williams (2002) p 67.</ref> Military culture has reclaimed the term to make it their own. ] ], former ] of the ] said, "There’s a standard term for the military child: 'Brat.' The Navy also uses the term 'Junior,' but 'Brat' seems to cut across all the services. While it sounds pejorative, it’s actually a term of great affection.”<ref name ="Blair" /> Military brats grow up knowing that, in this context, the term is no longer related to "]," but is used universally in U.S. military culture to describe anybody whose parent(s) are in the service. Furthermore, brats have embraced numerous unofficial ]s, or acronymns backed into existing words, such as "'''B'''orn '''R'''ough '''a'''nd '''T'''ough" or "'''B'''rave, '''R'''esilient, '''A'''daptable, and '''T'''rustworthy."<ref name = "Blair">] ], ] of ] defined ''brat'' as:''The B stands for ], ], and Broadminded. Brats deal with new and exciting situations all the time, and learn quickly to accept people, regardless of ], color, ], ], or ]. The R stands for Resilient, ], and Responsible. Brats bounce back from the turmoil inflicted upon them by their parents’ ]. The A stands for Amiable, Adaptable, and Audacious. Brats learn to make friends quickly in new moves, and to be daring when they have to be....The T stands for Tenacious, ], and ]. Brats hang in there when the going gets tough, and they also stand up for the beliefs of others. They have the opportunity to be ] themselves, sometimes by their race, but almost always as the new kids.'' Blair (2000) See talk page for more acronymns.</ref> While some may not like the origins of the term, they take pride in being called a "military brat."<ref name = "breed" >Williams (2001)</ref> Non-military personnel may find the term “brat” insulting, or may not understand military acceptance of the term. Sociologist Karen Williams used the term “brat” reluctantly in her research, but only with the disclaimer, “to follow the wishes of the participants. It is a term that they use and feel comfortable with.”<ref>Williams (2002) p 67.</ref><!-- Which is Williams 2002 - I don't find the 2002 source among the Williams References --> Military culture has reclaimed the term to make it their own. ] ], former ] of the ] said, "There’s a standard term for the military child: 'Brat.' The Navy also uses the term 'Junior,' but 'Brat' seems to cut across all the services. While it sounds pejorative, it’s actually a term of great affection.”<ref name ="Blair" /> Military brats know that, in this context, the term is not related to "]," but is used in U.S. military culture to describe anyone whose parent(s) are in the service. Furthermore, brats have embraced numerous unofficial ]s, or acronymns backed into existing words, such as "'''B'''orn '''R'''ough '''a'''nd '''T'''ough" or "'''B'''rave, '''R'''esilient, '''A'''daptable, and '''T'''rustworthy."<ref name = "Blair">] ], ] of ] defined ''brat'' as:''The B stands for ], ], and Broadminded. Brats deal with new and exciting situations all the time, and learn quickly to accept people, regardless of ], color, ], ], or ]. The R stands for Resilient, ], and Responsible. Brats bounce back from the turmoil inflicted upon them by their parents’ ]. The A stands for Amiable, Adaptable, and Audacious. Brats learn to make friends quickly in new moves, and to be daring when they have to be....The T stands for Tenacious, ], and ]. Brats hang in there when the going gets tough, and they also stand up for the beliefs of others. They have the opportunity to be ] themselves, sometimes by their race, but almost always as the new kids.'' Blair (2000).</ref> While some may not like the origins of the term, they take pride in being called a "military brat."<ref name = "breed" >Williams (2001)</ref>


Today the term is used not only in the military community, but by researchers and academians to describe the military brat community. It is no longer merely a slang term, but a studied U.S. subculture. Today the term is used not only in the military community, but by researchers and academians to describe the military brat community. It is no longer merely a slang term, but a studied U.S. subculture.

<!--Please do not clutter the main article with different acronymns, add them to the list on the talk page.--> <!--Please do not clutter the main article with different acronymns, add them to the list on the talk page.-->


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===Friendships=== ===Friendships===
Because military brats are constantly making new friends to replace the ones that they have lost,<ref> Quigley (2006) and Pinzur (2000) and Kidd</ref> military Brats are more outgoing and independent.<ref name = "Deploy">Dr. Frederic Medway, ] ] at the ], in Rutz (2006)</ref> Eighty percent of brats claim that they can relate to anyone, regardless of differences such as ], ], ], or ].<ref>Useem, Ruth et al (undated) International Schools Services. Retrieved ], ].</ref> Because military brats are constantly making new friends to replace the ones that they have lost,<ref> Quigley (2006) and Pinzur (2000) and Kidd</ref> military Brats are more outgoing and independent.<ref name = "Deploy">Dr. Frederic Medway, ] ] at the ], in Rutz (2006)</ref> Eighty percent of brats claim that they can relate to anyone, regardless of differences such as ], ], ], or ].<ref>Useem, Ruth et al (undated) International Schools Services. Retrieved ], ].</ref>



New students are more readily accepted at military schools than they are at a civilian school because a typical military school can experience a fifty percent turn over every year (25% ] while a third of the remaining 75% of students move).<ref name="Coming Home">Eakin (U.S. Dept of State)</ref> When half the student body changes, social groups that existed one year cease to exist and new groups emerge. The brat has to learn to adapt quickly to fit in. The brats are more likely to reach out to a new student, because the brat knows what it is like to be the new student. New students are more readily accepted at military schools than they are at a civilian school because a typical military school can experience a fifty percent turn over every year (25% ] while a third of the remaining 75% of students move).<ref name="Coming Home">Eakin (U.S. Dept of State)</ref> When half the student body changes, social groups that existed one year cease to exist and new groups emerge. The brat has to learn to adapt quickly to fit in. The brats are more likely to reach out to a new student, because the brat knows what it is like to be the new student.
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] ]

When a military person is deployed, the entire family can be affected. Studies show that there are three phases to deployment and each phase has different impacts on the family. Military spouses reported the following when their spouse was deployed: When a military person is deployed, the entire family can be affected. Studies show that there are three phases to deployment and each phase has different impacts on the family. Military spouses reported the following when their spouse was deployed:


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==Social issues== ==Social issues==

===Classism=== ===Classism===
Military life is strictly ] by ], centered around one's ].<ref>"Protocol is not intended to promote snobbery; it is a courtesy designed to recognize official status and give respect to those who, by their achievements, time in service, and experience, deserve it. And the exercise of that most certainly extends to spouses." Cline (1995) p 82</ref> The facilities provided for officers and enlisted personnel differ dramatically. For example, on base housing for officers will be significantly nicer than those for enlisted personnel. The officers' housing will generally be more accessible to base activities, larger in size, and better ]. Occasionally, on larger bases, the officers' housing will be broken down into different categories. Senior officers housing may be slightly larger and nicer than their lower ranking counterparts. On the largest bases, there might be a row of opulent houses referred to "Colonels' Row" or "Generals' Row." In these houses the highest ranking personnel on the base reside. On the other end of the spectrum, are the enlisted quarters. Oftentimes enlisted personnel might be assigned ] and only then if space was available. Military life is strictly ] by ], centered around one's ].<ref>"Protocol is not intended to promote snobbery; it is a courtesy designed to recognize official status and give respect to those who, by their achievements, time in service, and experience, deserve it. And the exercise of that most certainly extends to spouses." Cline (1995) p 82</ref> The facilities provided for officers and enlisted personnel differ dramatically. For example, on base housing for officers will be significantly nicer than those for enlisted personnel. The officers' housing will generally be more accessible to base activities, larger in size, and better ]. Occasionally, on larger bases, the officers' housing will be broken down into different categories. Senior officers housing may be slightly larger and nicer than their lower ranking counterparts. On the largest bases, there might be a row of opulent houses referred to "Colonels' Row" or "Generals' Row." In these houses the highest ranking personnel on the base reside. On the other end of the spectrum, are the enlisted quarters. Oftentimes enlisted personnel might be assigned ] and only then if space was available.
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==Notes== ==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}
<div class="references-2column"><references/></div>


==References== ==References==

Revision as of 19:43, 9 December 2006

A military family reunited with father, returning from time at sea.

A "military brat" (or simply a "brat") is a person whose parent or parents served full-time in the armed forces during the person's childhood. While the term is used in many cultures, most studies have examined the family and social dynamics of the United States military brat. Factors shaping and orienting the brat in a manner unique to typical United States military families include: frequent moves, authoritarian families, extreme patriarchy, parental absence, the threat of parental loss in war, and the militarization of the family unit. While non-military families may possess some of these characteristics, military culture is unique in the number of families that perceive them as normal and share many or all of these attributes within a closely knit community.

While the term "brat" is commonly used in a derogatory manner, in this context, "brat" is neither a subjective nor a judgmental term.

Because of their similar childhoods, military brats share both positive and negative traits. Their unique upbringing causes them to identify with other brats—regardless of race, religion, nationality, or gender—more than they do with non-brats, in part because they often feel like outsiders to U.S. civilian culture. For example, a military brat may go to high school in Germany, spend weekends skiing in St Moritz, spring break on the French Riveria, and summer vacation is the ruins of Pompei. These are experiences that most U.S. citizens never get to experience. Because they identify so strongly with other brats, they are curious about famous brats and the depiction of military brats in fiction.

Research

File:Staff Sgt. Russell Davis.jpg
A military brat reunited with her father returning from Iraq.

Research on military brats is a relatively recent endeavor. For decades, sociological knowledge about military brats was based on clinical reviews by military psychologists and psychiatrists. Because they were based upon biased samples of patients seeking counselling, these studies over-emphasized the negative attributes of growing up in a military family.

In the 1970's sociologist Ruth Hill Useem coined the term Third Culture Kids (TCKs) for a child who follows his parents "into another culture". Useem used the term "Third Culture Kids" because TCKs integrate aspects of their birth culture (the first culture) and the new culture (the second culture), creating a unique "third culture". Military brats compose the largest groups of TCKs.

It wasn't until the 1980s, however, that systematic research began on military brats. Responding to social and psychological issues observed among military families and communities, the U.S. Armed Forces sponsored research on the long term impact of growing up as a military brat. Since most of the studies are on adult brats, the impact of the post-Cold War era is only starting to become available.

In 1991, Mary Edwards Wertsch — a recognized expert on military brats — published the book Military Brat: Legacies from Inside the Fortress. In researching this book, Wertsch identified common themes from interviews of over 80 military brats. While this book does not purport to be a scientific study, subsequent research has been designed to test and validate her findings.

Proud to be a Brat

Linguistic reclamation is the appropriation of a pejorative epithet by its target to make make what once was an insult into a positive term. Insults such as Mormon, Methodist, Sooner, Tar Heel, Quaker, cowboy, Christian, Tory, and Whig lost their pejorative meaning when embraced by the groups they described. Other groups that are rehabilitating terms include: queers, niggers, rednecks, and geeks. “By taking control over a term that has been used against oneself and one’s group, one takes greater control over one’s self-image, self-conception, or self-understanding, and limits the ability of others to categorize oneself or one’s group in a totalizing way.” Individuals within the described communities may not like the origins of the terms, but reclaimed terms are worn with a certain amount of pride.

Non-military personnel may find the term “brat” insulting, or may not understand military acceptance of the term. Sociologist Karen Williams used the term “brat” reluctantly in her research, but only with the disclaimer, “to follow the wishes of the participants. It is a term that they use and feel comfortable with.” Military culture has reclaimed the term to make it their own. Admiral Blair, former Commander-in-Chief of the United States Pacific Command said, "There’s a standard term for the military child: 'Brat.' The Navy also uses the term 'Junior,' but 'Brat' seems to cut across all the services. While it sounds pejorative, it’s actually a term of great affection.” Military brats know that, in this context, the term is not related to "spoiled brat," but is used in U.S. military culture to describe anyone whose parent(s) are in the service. Furthermore, brats have embraced numerous unofficial backronyms, or acronymns backed into existing words, such as "Born Rough and Tough" or "Brave, Resilient, Adaptable, and Trustworthy." While some may not like the origins of the term, they take pride in being called a "military brat."

Today the term is used not only in the military community, but by researchers and academians to describe the military brat community. It is no longer merely a slang term, but a studied U.S. subculture.

Growing up in the military

Military Culture

Military culture has its own norms and expectations, which are so different that military brats can find civilians very different and often incomprehensible. Due to the constant upheaval in their lives, they develop their identity from the various cultures in which they have lived. Yet the one constant where they find comfort is the order and regiment of military life.

While military brats may not develop strong relations with people or places, they do form a strong connection with the notion of a military base. Military bases — as miniature, self-contained, government-subsidized towns, having their own non-profit commissaries, base/post exchanges, liquor stores, books stores, beauty shops, bowling alleys, and movie theaters — strive for conformity. Food and clothing choices are regulated by Congress to prevent unfair competition with neighboring communities. The latest designer brands may not be available on military bases. Since military families shop at the same stores, they are more likely to end up with the same clothes and other products than their civilian counterparts. Male brats likely get the same “military haircut” at the base barbershop as everybody else. The individuality of civilian life can be completely foreign.

The comfort found on military bases is not limited to physical appearances, but is fortified via consistent rituals common on all military bases. When moving around the world, these rituals help brats to feel at home in their new community. Even though the faces and geography have changed, the "base" remained recognizable because the rituals are consistent. The underlying principle of these rituals is consistent: to promote patriotism.

Life on military bases instills patriotism within the brat. For example, honoring the American Flag is expected. At 1700 hours (5:00 P.M.) the Flag is lowered and "Retreat" is played. Anybody outside, even if participating in sports or driving a car, is expected to stop their activity and stand at attention. Uniformed personnel salute and non-uniformed people place their hand over their heart. Those who fail to do so may be reported and notated in the military member's permanent record (even if it was a family member and not the military member.)

Major Payne saying goodbye to his wife before deployment.

Base schools will display the country’s flag and teach patriotic/military songs. The Pledge of Allegiance will be recited every morning. Patriotism is even taught during church sermons. Protestant and Catholic worship services include militaristic hymns. Prior to movies at the base theater's, everybody stands for the national anthem and often another patriotic songs such as "God Bless the USA".

The military family, knows that the serviceperson may be killed in the line of duty, but they accept that risk because they are taught the military’s mission is worth dying for. The mission is one in which the brat shares by extension through his military parent. “The child in a military family gains identity from an occupational-social spectrum subsumed under the special mission of national defense.” On April 18, 2006 Marine General Pace, the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, said "There's no way, in my mind, that you can be successful in the military and have a family unless that family does, in fact, appreciate your service to the country. patriots and role models for us all."

Military culture also requires, by law, all commanding officers and those in authority are required to demonstrate virtue, honor, patriotism, and subordination in all that they do. In the 1990s, the army officially adopted what have come to be known as "The 7 Army Values," which are summarized with the acronym "LDRSHIP." LDRSHIP stands for Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. While this acronym is relatively new, the ideas it represents have been at the heart of military service for generations. The motto "Duty, honor, country" is the standard of U.S. military values. Military brats are raised in a culture that stresses LDRSHIP, Duty, Honor, Country, and being a "lady" or "gentleman." Their strict adherence to military values is what separates military brats most from their civilian peers.

Discipline

In his book The Great Santini, Patrick Conroy describes a military family with an abusive, totalitarian father. The character, Bull Meecham, is the epitome of the worst stereotypes of the military father. His traits, however, ring true with military brats, who reported either having a father like Bull Meecham, or knowing one.

In many military families, one might find a duty roster on the refrigerator, parents who conduct room inspections, and children who say "yes sir/ma'am" to their parents. Eighty percent of brats describe their father as "authoritarian" (not to be mistaken with "authoritative"). Military brats often describe their military parent as rigid in discipline, inflexible, intolerant of dissent, disapproving of non-conforming behavior, and not accepting of personal privacy.

Disciplinary expectations, however, extends beyond the military family. "Most military children ... grow up in mortal fear of making some stupid mistake and finding out the whole family has to pay for it." The consequences of misbehavior for a military brat are much greater than for civilian children. A military person’s career and social identity can be dashed in seconds by a willful or careless child. For example, when a military brat gets in trouble, the brat's parents might not be the first person called; often, the authorities will call the brat's parent's Commanding Officer or the Base Commander before or instead of calling the brat's parents. If the Commanding Officer or Base Commander is contacted, the brat's behavior may become a permanent part of the military member's record, and adversely affect his or her ability to be promoted or get prime duty assignments.

A study comparing the behavior of brats and non-brats in movie theaters found that brats were better behaved than their civilian counterparts. Three possible explanations were hypothesized. First, military parents have a lower threshold for misbehavior in their children. Second, the mobility of teenagers might make them less likely to attract attention to themselves, as they are less secure with their surroundings. Finally, normative constraints are greater: family members know that their behavior is under scrutiny and can affect the military member’s career.

Strict discipline does, however, come with a price. Many brats rebel against the rules, and others develop psychological problems due to the intense stress of being well behaved. A military psychologist publishing in the American Journal of Psychology concluded, "The parents who came to our clinic used three methods of dealing with their children—authoritarian, democratic, and mixed, inconsistent way. Some of the parents who felt they were democratic were actually authoritarian or inconsistent when examined. As one might expect, the greatest number of behavioral disorders, nearly 93%, came from the authoritarian families." Bold text

Friendships

Because military brats are constantly making new friends to replace the ones that they have lost, military Brats are more outgoing and independent. Eighty percent of brats claim that they can relate to anyone, regardless of differences such as race, ethnicity, religion, or nationality.

New students are more readily accepted at military schools than they are at a civilian school because a typical military school can experience a fifty percent turn over every year (25% graduate while a third of the remaining 75% of students move). When half the student body changes, social groups that existed one year cease to exist and new groups emerge. The brat has to learn to adapt quickly to fit in. The brats are more likely to reach out to a new student, because the brat knows what it is like to be the new student.

But making friends with their civilian counterparts can be difficult. One might assume that since brats move on average every 3 years that they grow used to moving. Not only have civilians lived together for years developing tight cliques, but brats may find it hard to relate to their non-mobile peers. Children who have made numerous moves during their childhood often find they have more in common with other mobile children, regardless of nationality, than they do with people who haven't moved. This is particularly true for brats who have spent time overseas. Having seen places and experienced things that most U.S. citizens only dream about brats are eager to share their experiences with others. Because of their international exposure, many Third Culture Kids become frustrated with the lack of knowledge demonstrated by geographically stable families. Knowing (or at least believing) that they have a better understanding of world geography and politics many feel superior to their less well traveled peers.

The openness to others, however, has a price. While military brats look like they are making friends, the friendships are often surface level lacking the depth often found in civilian communities. Relationships tend to be short lived. Since military families move every 2-3 years brats tend to make friends quicker but are ready to discard them. Rather than develop problem-solving skills, there is a temptation to simply leave a problem without resolving it. If a person doesn't like somebody or gets into a fight, they know that in a few years somebody will move and the problem will disappear. Thus, many brats struggle their entire lives developing close lasting friendships.

School life

Summer is the most common time for a family to be transferred (moved) and the winter holidays are the second most. Even if a move occurs during the summer months, a transfer can have significant ramifications for students. Students may find out that the courses they took at their old school do not fulfill the graduation requirements at their new school. Older military brats often had to deal with records getting lost.

While moving during the summer months could be challenging, moving during the winter holidays or mid-year has traditionally been viewed as the worst time to move. The student is forced to join classes that have already begun. Social groups become even more difficult to break into and activities that the student enjoyed may be barred to the student. For example, an athlete may not be able to join their sport because they missed tryouts and the season had already began. A student who excelled at their old school suddenly feels inadequate.

Military brats have lower delinquency rates, higher achievement scores on standardized tests, and higher median IQ than their civilian counterparts. They are more likely to have a college degree (60% v 24%) and possessed an advanced degree (29.1% v 5%). While these rates are higher than the general U.S. population as a whole, it is a lower rate than those of non-brat Third Culture Kids (84-90% college degree and 40% graduate degree).

Mobility

Sociologist Morton Ender conducted the largest scientific study conducted to date exclusively on career military brats (those who were brats from birth through high school.) His study revealed that 97% lived in at least one foreign country, 63% in two, 31% in 3. They average 8 moves before graudating from High School and spend an average of 7 years in foriegn countries. Over 80% speak at least one non-English language and 14% speak three or more.

In addition to numerous moves, a military brat experiences numerous separations from their military parent over the course of their lifetime generally not experienced by civilians. Military members can be deployed for days, months, even years without their family. When a parent is stationed without his family, the children experience the same emotions as children of divorce. In addition to the effects divorced parents may encounter, military brats have additional concerns. When a military member is sent away, the family does not always know where they are going or when (or if) the service member will return.

Marine serviceman and family preparing to leave for deployment.

When a military person is deployed, the entire family can be affected. Studies show that there are three phases to deployment and each phase has different impacts on the family. Military spouses reported the following when their spouse was deployed:

  • Predeployment — Marital stress/conflict, distancing from spouse, anger, resentment, sadness/depression, negative child behavior.
  • Deployment — Marital problems, isolation, loneliness, anger, resentment, sadness/depression, reduced communications, stress, less social support, assuming the role of single parent, child care difficulties, sleep disturbances, physical symptoms, home and car repairs, difficulty assessing military services, negative child behavior.
  • Postdeployment/Reunion — Redefining responsibilities, marital stress, communication problems, anxiety, anger, resentment, parent-child attachment issues

Social issues

Classism

Military life is strictly segregated by class, centered around one's rank. The facilities provided for officers and enlisted personnel differ dramatically. For example, on base housing for officers will be significantly nicer than those for enlisted personnel. The officers' housing will generally be more accessible to base activities, larger in size, and better landscaped. Occasionally, on larger bases, the officers' housing will be broken down into different categories. Senior officers housing may be slightly larger and nicer than their lower ranking counterparts. On the largest bases, there might be a row of opulent houses referred to "Colonels' Row" or "Generals' Row." In these houses the highest ranking personnel on the base reside. On the other end of the spectrum, are the enlisted quarters. Oftentimes enlisted personnel might be assigned apartments and only then if space was available.

The Officer Clubs are nicer than the Enlisted Clubs. Officers may even have nicer recreational facilities than their enlisted counterparts, such as a nicer swimming pool or recreation halls. Historically, base chapels and movie theaters would have designated seating for officers and their families. Some bases even had two Boy Scout and two Girl Scout troops — one for officer children and one for enlisted children.

"Class difference is not just the external structure of a military child's world, it is an invasive reality." Wertsch describes how children of enlisted personnel perceived their officer counterparts to receive specialized treatment. They believe that officers' children get away with more because people are afraid to upset the officer. The children of officers socialized with other officers' children. The children of enlisted personnel socialized with those of other enlisted personnel. Even if an officer brat and an enlisted brat became friends at school, this friendship rarely carried over to the home life. The physical separation and differences between available activities made it very difficult.

This separation is by design. In many countries, it can be illegal for an officer to become friends with an enlisted person. Fraternization with enlisted personnel is strictly prohibited because it would corrode the military hierarchy. This expectation is often conveyed to the children of military personnel. Military brats often develop a sense that allows them distinguish the rank of another child's father.

While not as intense as the artificial barriers imposed by rank, classism includes the branch of service the military parent belongs to. If you ask military brats about the best branch of service, it will invariably be the one their parent belonged to. They will have many reasons why their branch of the service is the best. Military personnel in one branch of service for two different countries may team up against a fellow countryman of a different branch of service. Furthermore, these biases are maintained well past the time they cease to be military dependents. But inter-service rivalries don't just end at the end of the branch of service, each branch of the service has its own internal rivalries. The two most notable internal rivalries would be 1) combat vs non-combat roles and 2) graduates from the military academies vs non-military academies.

Racism

With strict guidelines based upon the rank in the military member, the issue of race diminishes among military brats. One participant in Wertsch's study said, "The Military is a caste system... but it's better than some, because at least you mix with all races, so it's hard to be racist." When military families go overseas, minority students rarely experience overt racism from their expatriate neighbors. This is also true on U.S. located military bases. Military communities are often too small to eliminate possible friends based on the color of their skin.

Furthermore, because of the nature of the military, people of different races have to work together in situations where trust is absolutely necessary. This means that even if one does hold racist ideas, they keep them to themselves. Military brats thus grow up in communities that actively condemn racist comments. This results in, according to Wertsch, military brats who "aren't just non-racist, but anti-racist."

Sexism

The ultimate purpose of the military is to prepare to fight in war, thus there is a bias in favor combat designations. Since women are not allowed on the front lines in combat zones, the military woman, no matter how sharp, is limited in prestige and respect. While women can be found on military bases, their role remains that of a second class citizen.

Military daughters know this and often feel insignificant or invisible in the male dominated world of the military; they might feel as if they were born the wrong sex believing that their father really wanted a boy. Many female brats have responded to these lessons in different ways including low self-esteem, perfectionism, difficulty in dealing with male authority figures, extreme fragility, passivity, eating disorders, self-destructive behavior, and compensating by becoming a "warrior woman."

Tiger Woods giving a driving demonstration aboard the USS George Washington.

Reunited and reaching out

As adults, Third Culture Kids are trying to reunite with their brat heritage. Organizations such as MilitaryBrat.Com and Overseasbrat.com have attracted over 100,000 members attempting to reconnect with their youth. A recent study identified several reasons why military brats, as adults, do this. Many brats feel a sense of euphoria when they discover that other brats share the same feelings and emotions, and thus many join to find "Others Like Me." Brats share a common bond with one another through common experiences; this bond transcends race, religion, and nationality. A U.S. brat may have more in common with a British or Chinese brat than s/he does with his/her own countrymen. Another common theme behind people's joining brat organizations is to stay connected or reconnect with their old friends. Others join brat groups because they feel disconnected from civilian culture or want to be able to share their story with other brats who can appreciate their story.

Instead of being spoken to by academics and others, military brats are starting to speak to their own communities through the internet and via media outlets. Filmmaker Donna Musil's "Brats - Our Journey Home," Michelle Ferguson-Cohen's "Books for Brats" and Babette Maxwell's "Military Spouse Magazine" are some of the adult military brats reaching out to their community. High profile military brats such as Kris Kristofferson, Jessica Alba, Tiger Woods, Norman Schwarzkopf and Nelly proudly wear the stamp of "brat."

See also

Notes

  1. Mary Edwards Wertsch in Britten (1999)
  2. Brat expert Mary Wertsch told an interviewer, "So don't be afraid to use the term 'military brat.' It has various elements of truth in it, about our experiences, and we should be proud of it." Military Brats are a Special Breed
  3. Williams, Rudi and also Williams (2002) p 79.
  4. 32% feel as if they are only spectators on U.S. life and another 48% do not feel as if they are central to any group. Jordan (2002) p 222.
  5. Ender (2002) p xvii
  6. Sociologist David Pollock describes a TCK as "a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents' culture. The TCK builds relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full ownership of any. Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the TCK's life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of a similar background." Both quoted in Reken.
  7. Prior to the end of WWII and the rise of two global superpowers, missionaries were the largest group of TCKs. After WWII, the children of military and government personnel became the largest components of TCKs: Military (30%), Government (23%), Missionary (17%), Business (16%), and "Other" (14%). Cotrell (2002), p. 230
  8. Ender (2002) p xxv Extrapolating results to other country's brats from U.S. studies is impossible. Other countries may have very different cultures in their armed forces. While the U.S. military is an all-volunteer force, some countries have mandatory service commitments. The U.S. has a strong presence in other countries—many countries may not deploy their servicemen (and families) to other countries. The U.S. forces are often deployed all over the world for "police actions," while other countries may be less reluctant to do so, or may be involved in active wars in their own regions. In foreign countries, the U.S. often has military bases with stores, Armed Forces Radio/Television, and the Stars and Stripes newspaper, but other countries may not provide this link to their home country. Most places to which the U.S. military sends families will have an U.S. curriculum at a Department of Defense school; other countries may expect their dependent child to attend the local schools. These are just a few of numerous differences between the U.S. armed forces and other countries' armed forces; how these differences affect non-U.S. military brats is (as of yet) under-researched.
  9. ^ Deployment Center (Undated). “Your Children and Separation.” Military.Com. Retrieved December 3, 2006.
  10. ^ Walls (2003)
  11. Godrej, Farah. “Spaces for Counter-Narratives: The Phenomenology of Reclamation (PDF).” GeorgeTown University, Department of Government. Accessed Dec 8, 2006.
  12. Williams (2002) p 67.
  13. ^ Admiral Dennis C. Blair, Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Pacific Command defined brat as:The B stands for Brave, Bold, and Broadminded. Brats deal with new and exciting situations all the time, and learn quickly to accept people, regardless of race, color, creed, country of origin, or religion. The R stands for Resilient, Reliable, and Responsible. Brats bounce back from the turmoil inflicted upon them by their parents’ profession. The A stands for Amiable, Adaptable, and Audacious. Brats learn to make friends quickly in new moves, and to be daring when they have to be....The T stands for Tenacious, Tough, and Tolerant. Brats hang in there when the going gets tough, and they also stand up for the beliefs of others. They have the opportunity to be minorities themselves, sometimes by their race, but almost always as the new kids. Blair (2000).
  14. Williams (2001)
  15. Wertsch (1991) p. 315
  16. Williams (2002) p 78
  17. "A 'good' military family is one that demonstrates in all things its submission to the ways of the Fortress. It is conventional. It is predictable. It conforms in appearance and behavior to what the Fortress expects. It obeys authority. It displays to the world what ought to be displayed. And it conceals the rest." Wertsch (1991) p 34
  18. Cline (1995) p 26-30
  19. ^ Williams, Rudi (2001) Cite error: The named reference "Special" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  20. John Benson, PhD at Minnesota State University Moorhead in Benson (2004)
  21. Britten (1998)
  22. "We all stopped, no matter what we were doing. And no matter where we were, no matter what foxhole we were hiding in, ... we stopped. "Retreat" would blare out from the loudspeakers all over the base. We could never see the flag; it was miles away. But we knew where it was, and like facing Mecca, everyone turned around and puts their hand over their heart, and stood there until the music stopped.... There was never even a comment about it, no matter what was going on. It just happened everyday." Truscott (1989) p 12
  23. "Whenever and wherever the 'National Anthem', 'To the Colors,' or 'Hail to the Chief' is played outdoors, at the first note all dismounted personnel in uniform and not in formation, within saluting distance of the flag, face the flag, or the music if the flag is not in view, salute, and maintain the salute until the last note of the music is sounded... Vehicles in motion are brought to a halt. Persons riding in a passenger car or on a motorcycle dismount and salute." Bonn (2005) p 31
  24. Such as "The Son of God Goes Forth to War," "Fight the Good Fight with All Thy Might," "Marching with Heroes," "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me," "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," and "Onward, Christian Soldiers." Wertsch (1991)p 2-4
  25. “Military culture is organized according to rank, military specialty, unit membership, branch of service, and residence… all of which affects the identity formation of a child growing up in a military family.” Williams (2002) p 69
  26. ^ Wood (2006)
  27. Title 10 of the US Code Section 3583 "Requirement for Exemplary Conduct" in Bonn (2005) p 72.
  28. Speech by Douglas MacAuthur. Wikisouurce, Retrieved December 3, 2006 and Bonn (2005) p 66-67.
  29. Wertsch (1991) p 8 Wertsch also discusses how, when she asks people if Bull Meecham loved his children, the answer depends on the person. If the person was not a military brat, the answer is always "no." If the person was a military brat, the answer is almost always "yes."
  30. "Disciplinary tactics that are now considered abusive were a matter of parental prerogative for many years in both military and civilian families. Family discipline was a personal matter, to be handled behind the closed doors of the neat rows of houses on military posts, but the implication that fathers who fit into the orderly world of the military should be able to control small children was clear." Truscott (1989) p 106-107
  31. Wertsch (1991) p 10-23
  32. Wertsch (1991) p 30. "Military brats were aware that their behavior or misbehavior was a direct reflection on their parents, and specifically on their fathers." Truscott (1989) p 107
  33. Wertsch (1991) p 31
  34. Wertsch records numerous examples of this occurring in her book. Two of the more egregious examples: A "teenage boy committed the unpardonable sin of teeing off on the golf course at 5:00 p.m., while Retreat was being blown, instead of standing respectfully at attention as the base's flag was lowered for the day. An officer reported him, and his father got a call from high up in the base hierarchy. The incident went down on the father's permanent record. The same thing happens to another father whose twelve-year-old son knocked over a trash can in front of the base teen club. The son was picked up by the military police, who called not the father, but the father's commanding officer." Wertsch (1991) p 31.
  35. Prior to 1987, Commanding Officers were required to comment on an officer's spouse on the officer's annual evaluation. Even though the spaces for spousal review were removed in 1987, "there is widespread feeling that a spouse's conduct is still taken into consideration and may influence a service member's career." Spouses were evaluated on how well behaved their children were and how clean they maintained their houses. Wertsch (1991) p.28.
  36. Price also noted previous studies that showed that military brats had “a lower level of some childhood disorders such as Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD.)” Price (2002) p 44-45
  37. Wertsch (1991) p.31-32.
  38. Quoted in Wertsch (1991) p.24.
  39. Quigley (2006) and Pinzur (2000) and Kidd
  40. Dr. Frederic Medway, psychology professor at the University of South Carolina, in Rutz (2006)
  41. Useem, Ruth et al (undated) “Third Culture Kids: Focus of Major Study.” International Schools Services. Retrieved December 3, 2006.
  42. ^ Eakin (U.S. Dept of State)
  43. Ender (1996) p 131. "Towards the end of the Cold War, approximately 9 percent of enlisted soldiers and 31 percent of officers with more than fourteen years of service reported having moved with their spouse and/or children more than nine times." Ender (1996) p 131
  44. ^ Wilson (2006)
  45. O’Beirne (2002)
  46. Eakin (1996) p 66-67
  47. Anonymous Author. Associated Press (June 30, 2005). “Conference Looks At Education for ‘Military Brats.” (PDF) Retrieved December 3, 2006. Among the Military Child Education Coalition's successes was an agreement in 2000 by the Army and Air Force to allow soldiers and airmen to stay in one place when they have children entering their senior year, except for wartime combat assignments.
  48. Recent studies, however, have shown that mobility during the school year may be less traumatic than summer time moves. Ender (1996) P 145. "Despite the commonly held belief that summer moves are best for children, teens who moved during summer vacation seemed to experience particular difficulties… Their problem was that, with school out of session, it was very difficult to identify potential friends and begin to form relationships." Tyler (2002) p 27.
  49. Williams (2002) p 68
  50. ^ Ender (2002) p 88-90
  51. "Generally, people in the Air Force have the least time away; those in the Navy the most. Navy personnel who go to sea have longer separations, but Army and Marine Corps have the most one-year unaccompanied tours. Air Force TDY's are short, but they are irregular, repeated, and frequently unscheduled." Cline (1995) p 223
  52. Kelley (2002) p 5
  53. "Protocol is not intended to promote snobbery; it is a courtesy designed to recognize official status and give respect to those who, by their achievements, time in service, and experience, deserve it. And the exercise of that most certainly extends to spouses." Cline (1995) p 82
  54. ^ Wertsch (1991) 290
  55. One interviewee said "You could always tell the son of the . He was the football star, he had good grades." Wertsch (1991) p 297
  56. "Privileges accorded by rank were highly visible... And all military brats, no matter where their father had fit in the hierarchy of rank, emphasized, over and over, that rank was pervasive and clearly defined." Truscott (1989) p 168
  57. Wertsch (1991) p 285-288.
  58. ^ Wertsch (1991) p 314-315
  59. This does not mean that racism doesn't exist among the military personnel themselves.
  60. Wertsch (1991) p 297
  61. Wertsch (1991) p 94
  62. Wertsch (1991) p 107-130
  63. Ender (2002) p XXVI.
  64. Williams (2002) p 73-77

References

External links

Resources for military brats
  • Military Brats Online, a free resource designed to reconnect military brats with each other.
  • Military Brats Registry, a free resource designed to reconnect military brats with each other.
  • Operation Footlocker. Three footlockers crisscross the country, going from one gathering of brats to another.
  • Third Culture Kids, a discussion on not only military brats but other "third culture kids" including Missionary Kids, Diplomatic Kids, etc.
  • Overseas Brats, a free resource designed to reconnect U.S. citizens who have attended school overseas.
  • Books for Brats series. Described as "Dr. Seuss for Military Brats," the books are the first chidren's picture books written and illustrated for military brats by military brat Michelle Ferguson-Cohen.
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