Military brat
Military brat is an informal term in
American English for a child who has one or both parents who serves or served full-time in the
military. It implies that such an upbringing is different in important ways from that experienced by those in the community at large, and can be an insult or a compliment, depending on the context. Although
brat is usually taken to mean
a spoiled child, military brats are usually considered more disciplined than their civilian peers.
Being a
military brat particularly implies that one:
* moved frequently as a child, because one's family was stationed at new locations every few years.
* attended many different schools and never established strong roots in a community.
* had exposure to military discipline and authority from early childhood, which often leads to comfort in dealing with institutional authority, but occasionally leads to rebellion against it.
* can make
friends quickly, and can deal with
long-distance relationships* possesses a high
cross-cultural understanding
Later in life, military brats often find themselves very comfortable in
foreign cultures. Many join the
diplomatic corps or join the military themselves.
Third Culture Kid is a more general term for this phenomenon. It carries connotations of having a stricter upbringing than many people.
The
Camp Adventure program provides summer camps for children of military personnel, both within the
United States and overseas.
* A 1986 movie called
The B.R.A.T. Patrol detailing the adventures of 'Military brat's on a
United States Marine Corps base. The term 'B.R.A.T.' stood for "Born, Raised And Trapped".
* Child of Vietnam Veteran and military brat,
Michelle Ferguson-Cohen, wrote and illustrated the first children's picture books to help military brats coping with the deployment of a parent. She created the Books for Brats TM series, which released "Daddy, You're My Hero!" and "Mommy, You're My Hero!" in 2003.
*
Christina Aguilera*
Jessica Alba*
Joelle Carter*
Tre Cool*
Johnny Damon*
Andy Dick *
Pete Doherty*
Faye Dunaway*
Shannon Elizabeth*
Kathie Lee Gifford*
Mia Hamm*
Crystal Kay*
Kris Kristofferson*
Martin Lawrence*
Shawn Michaels*
Julianne Moore*
Jim Morrison*
Nelly*
Shaquille O'Neal*
Priscilla Presley*
Jeri Ryan*
Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr.*
Michael Stipe*
Joey Gladstone*
Gregory House
