military brat
Soldier's transient child
A military brat is a child who grows up in a military family, typically moving frequently as a parent is reassigned to different bases.
The term carries no negative connotation despite "brat"—it's used affectionately, even proudly, by those who identify with the experience: As a military brat, I went to six different schools before high school.
The lifestyle creates a distinct subculture marked by adaptability, rootlessness, and shared understanding among others who grew up the same way.
Permanent change of residence
- transienceBrevity of existence
- uprootedRemoved from foundation
- PCSBase-to-base military moves
- movingEmotionally affecting
transfer · displacement · overseas · stateside · reassignment · globetrotting · itinerant · peripatetic
Organized distribution of resources
- separationState of being apart
- absenceState of not being
- goodbyeDeparting salutation
- farewellLeave-taking expression
homecoming · reintegration · anxiety · loneliness · rootlessness · impermanence · instability · new school
Ability to adjust readily
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- independenceFreedom from external control
- resourcefulnessAbility to solve problems creatively
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
toughness · perseverance · fortitude · endurance · self-reliance · maturity · coping · adjustment
Goodwill among companions
- brotherhoodKinship among men
- sisterhoodBond among women
- bondingForming close connections
- solidarityUnity among allies
cohesion · fellowship · esprit de corps · shared experience · tribe · insiders · understanding · belonging
Requiring outside support
- ID cardDocument verifying identity
- commissaryMilitary base store
- third cultureIdentity from multiple homelands
- gate passAuthorization for restricted areas
housing · garrison · installation · compound · quarters · sponsor · blue star · gold star
relocation
Permanent change of residence
- transienceBrevity of existence
- uprootedRemoved from foundation
- PCSBase-to-base military moves
moving · transfer · displacement · overseas · stateside · reassignment · globetrotting · itinerant · peripatetic · expatriate
deployment
Organized distribution of resources
- separationState of being apart
- absenceState of not being
- goodbyeDeparting salutation
farewell · homecoming · reintegration · anxiety · loneliness · rootlessness · impermanence · instability · new school · starting over
adaptability
Ability to adjust readily
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- independenceFreedom from external control
- resourcefulnessAbility to solve problems creatively
grit · toughness · perseverance · fortitude · endurance · self-reliance · maturity · coping · adjustment · transition
camaraderie
Goodwill among companions
- brotherhoodKinship among men
- sisterhoodBond among women
- bondingForming close connections
solidarity · cohesion · fellowship · esprit de corps · shared experience · tribe · insiders · understanding · belonging · support network
dependent
Requiring outside support
- ID cardDocument verifying identity
- commissaryMilitary base store
- third cultureIdentity from multiple homelands
gate pass · housing · garrison · installation · compound · quarters · sponsor · blue star · gold star
- Military Familieswar widow, war orphan, next of kin, dependent
- militarysoldiers, army, troops, officers, navy
- wandererswanderer, hikers, vagabond, wanderers, drifter
- military benefitsVA benefits, veteran benefits, base pay, health benefits, disability benefits
- military social lifeofficers club, mess hall, dining in, dining out, hail and farewell
- worldlyworldly, cosmopolitan, globe-trotter, globetrotter, world traveler
military, brat, militia, militias, militant, militants, militarism, militarist, militaristic