They were FINALLY all nestled up snug in their beds, and I was FINALLY passed out like there was a hole in my head... flipping channels past dumb and dumber and dumbest because that is what is on Sunday nights, when suddenly my eyes and ears attuned to a man on the screen talking about what it was like to grow up as a military brat. When I hear Kris Kristofferson's voice begin to narrate and watched the old photos scroll past, I was hooked.
Hooked to a program on MCCS TV. Who'd a thunk?
It's called BRATS: Our Journey Home and it's going to be played REPEATEDLY this November (the Month of the Military Child). It will show every Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights at 9pm on channel 15. Unfortunately that will only work for those of you on base, but you can always ask someone to record it for you!
I found the show thought provoking. I am not a military brat myself, but evidently I'm raising a few myself (a thought I hadn't actually considered before - call me dumb!). The perspective of these adult "brats" was very intriguing. They talk about many of the wonderful aspects of the life as well as the negative things. Some of it I found to be a bit dated (talk of being paid once a month) and found some of the criticisms of military parenting to be things that could be said about a LOT of families around the world. None the less, I found myself thinking afterwards about ways I can monopolize on the good and decrease the bad for my own military kids.
If you get the chance to see it, I'd love to know what you think. I'd love to know how you approach the particular difficulties of your work as a parent to military brats. Or how you currently deal with the issues of being raised in the military yourself.
But if you loved them and have never...
Hi Joelle, I am an Army BRAT. I’m 48 years old and I’m not sure, but I think maybe you’re a BRAT your whole life when you are reared by parents who take you all over the world in the service of our country. I found the trailer of this movie, I think from a link on the Kubasaki High alumni site, quite a while ago when I was virtually revisiting and researching Okinawa after having been away for over 30 years. I have to say, just from the trailer, I felt able to put some words to the unique way military dependent children are brought up. I sent the trailer link to my husband, who grew up in the same general community as his parents and many generations of his grandparents had with the message “This is kind where I’m from,” because he can’t possibly relate to my upbringing. I may have to spring for the $30 to purchase the dvd of this movie.
I agree with you from seeing that little dab of trailer that much of this is dated and many of the experiences of BRATs are shared by families with parents whose civilian corporate jobs move them around. There are still so many aspects of military life that are positively unique though, like dealing with quartermaster furniture, your parent being away in harm’s way (my father was in Korea and then Vietnam), my dad being stressed about an upcoming inspection, being careful how you hug so you won’t smudge the brass on that uniform and stopping your playtime when you hear the cannon so you can face the parade field with your hand over your heart while you listen to taps.
I think, too, many BRATs have an “it” place. For my best friend on Okinawa, her “it” place was Germany. Mine was and is Okinawa. I feel extraordinarily blessed to have been able make my little pilgrimage back last July and to have been able to meet you and so many of the fabulous ladies of Okinawa Hai, where I still go every day to live vicariously through you all!
While there is certainly a lot to be said about roots and the comfort in knowing where to say you’re from when asked, I wouldn’t trade my upbringing for anything or anyone’s and I am proud of my father and his career.
Hi Joelle, Glad you liked the documentary. I work for MCCS TV so I was excited to hear that we would be airing this program. As an Air Force brat myself…I find comfort knowing others feel and experience the same things I have.