The MAMF April 2026 Facebook Banner

The Army MWR (Morale, Welfare, Recreation) office has declared April to be the Month of the American Military Child. According to their website, it “is observed each April to honor and celebrate military children and youth for their service, commitment, and sacrifice in support of the Army’s mission. The observance reiterates the Army’s commitment to provide quality care and positive youth development for a bright future. The April 2026 Month of the Military Child theme is “Military Children and Youth: Strength in Every Story,” shines a light on the everyday courage of military children. Their stories, filled with resilience, adaptability, and quiet strength. demonstrate the powerful character they build while growing up in a world defined by service and sacrifice.

That is something all of us BRATs are fully aware of, but most of the world does not see. It is gratifying to be recognized for the part we play(ed) in our parents service to our country.

We made sacrifices too, right along with our parents. While they were being deployed and moved around the world to perform their duty, we went right along with them, like luggage, changing homes and schools every one to three years until the end of their service or until we graduated from high school. When we turned eighteen, we were suddenly cut off from the only life and culture we had ever known. No more access to the spaces and services that we grew up enjoying (post/base amenities, health care, etc.). We were on our own, which is why so many enlisted in the military themselves.

But it wasn’t all bad. In fact, I wouldn’t trade my childhood as a BRAT for anything in the world. Like the kids in the featured image for this month, I grew up attending military parades and all manner of celebratory events accompanied by the pomp and circumstance of military bands and pageantry. My father began his Army career playing the trombone in the 118th Army Band in Verdun, France. Even after he moved onto other assignments, he frequently played with other bands on an incidental basis for various celebrations and parades. My childhood was full of moments like the one occurring in this image, only always with a marching band. To this day, I am a sucker for military march music. I get teary and full of memories.

Our days began with Reveille and ended with Retreat. I once again live right next to Aberdeen Proving Ground, my father’s next to last stateside posting after over a decade in Europe, and the first place I lived for more than three years as a child. It’s my third time to live here. I think I keep coming back here because it feels the most like home of all the places we ever lived in the states. On clear mornings and evenings, I can still hear Reveille and Retreat being played, and that also feels like home.

It has become relatively commonplace to thank our military service members for their service, but I hope that when you meet BRATs, young or old, you’ll thank them as well. We served in our own way, and most of us are extremely proud of that.

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