When you serve in the U.S. Army, so does your family. April provides an opportunity to shine a light on the selflessness and sacrifice of military children.
The Month of the Military Child recognizes and celebrates the resilience of children who serve our country as part of a military family. That celebration is emphasized on April 15 during Purple Up! For Military Kids, a special day designated by the Department of Defense (DOD) to support and thank military children for their strength.
The life of a military child
Children in military families share a unique set of experiences that their peers may not understand. While mom and/or dad chose to serve in the U.S. Army or another branch of the military, these kids were born into it. They might endure constant relocations, new schools, deployment of parents, and a different perspective of the impacts of conflicts and wars.
According to a 2019 report by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), about 58% of the 2.2 million people actively serving in the military, National Guard, or Reserves have children, and 40% of those have two or more kids. That’s an estimated 1.7 million children and, according to the DOD, more than 900,000 in Army life.
The AAP recognizes that military children often experience frequent moves, separation from parents, and family deployments. The report states that 1 in 4 military children have emotional-behavior challenges as result of parents’ deployment. This might impact a child’s academics, behavior, stress level, or physical symptoms.
The average military child moves three times more often than their non-military peers. For those known as “military brats,” the military family moves an average of 10 times, but some have moved far more than that. With moving that frequently comes many challenges but also opportunities for military families.
Of course, it can be challenging to make and keep friends or feel belonging in a community when you constantly pack up and leave. However, depending on the location, children can learn new cultures and languages. They also gain strength and resilience through the experience.
Militarychild.org exists to support military children through education and advocacy. The organization aims to help children overcome the challenges that come with military life, whether those be educational, emotional, or social.
It also works to equip parents, family, and the community with tools to help military children succeed in school and in life.
Part of the militarychild.org site shares stories and experiences from military kids. Some declare their admiration for parents who are serving. Some explain that military life is difficult but rewarding. Others dish on the benefits and opportunities military kids receive on base or through special programs.
All children said that, despite some challenges, it’s a life they wouldn’t trade.
What is The Month of the Military Child
In 1986, Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger created Month of the Military Child as an awareness initiative to recognize the unique needs of military children. The DOD continues to honor and celebrate this program.
Events tied to Month of the Military Child are often organized internally by different military communities and associations. The celebrations might include contests, parades, fairs, and special events.
Each military branch also presents a Military Child of the Year Award to a previously nominated child. Winners earn the honor based on "scholarship, volunteerism, leadership, extracurricular involvement, and other criteria while facing the challenges of military family life.” They receive $10,000, a computer, and other gifts.
Several amusement parks, zoos, stores, activities, and more provide discounts to celebrate military children in April and, often, yearlong.
And the Red Cross offers free, confidential workshops for military parents and children that cover topics such as effective communication, stress solutions, trauma talk, and confident coping.
Plenty of activities from a local to national level recognize this important awareness month and celebrate military families and children.
Celebrating Purple Up! Day
Purple is the color that jointly represents all branches of the military. To emphasize and extend the impact of The Month of the Military Child, Purple Up! For Military Kids is meant to bring additional recognition to military kids in a very visual way.
Purple Up! day is held April 15 each year. The DOD encourages schools and local communities to wear purple to “support and thank children for their strength and sacrifices.”
How you can support military children
Whether you are military or not, there are many ways you can support military children through the month of April.
During The Month of the Military Child and on Purple Up! day, you can:
- Show your support by wearing purple and encouraging others to do so.
- Promote Month of the Military Child and Purple Up! day at your school and on the website.
- Find special ways to extend your thanks, for example, through special events or rallies.
- Incorporate a special project or craft into you class that is centered around Month of the Military Child.
- Provide special recognition to military children and families.
- Share photos online with the hashtag #PurpleUp.
If you are a military family looking for activities and events celebrating military children this month, check with your local post. Many activities are planned locally.
And don’t forget to wear purple to celebrate these phenomenal military children!
