A Day in the Life of a Military Family

I came across the following video today and just had to share it. People always ask me what it's like to be part of a military family and it's one of the things I never hesitate to speak about. I'm passionate about being a military brat and feel tremendously lucky to be part of the military community.

Care.com asked Navy spouses to explain what their every day life is like - what they'd want civilians to know about them and the challenges they face. While I hail from an Air Force family, the words of these inspiring women ring true regardless of branch of service.

Three cheers to Care.com for shinning a spotlight on military families and even bigger cheers to the amazing spouses of our military community.

New York Times: Explaining War to Military Children

Today, the New York Times featured a guest blog post on their "At War: Notes From the Front Lines" section that discussed a military wife's experience in explaining war to her children. The post was written by Stephanie Himel-Nelson who works with Blue Star Families, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting military families.

I was pleased to see the post - anytime a military family member is able to share their thoughts with the civilian community it's a positive thing. Most importantly, the military community often has the same undercurrent of emotions as well as thoughts - and hearing someone else that's part of it discuss it out loud validates it and can bring comfort.

I'm not a Mom and I don't have a military husband, but I am a military brat. My father still serves as does my brother. As such, reading Stephanie's words was interesting for me. I'm always an advocate for doing what you feel is best for your family. No one knows your kids better than you do. But as someone who grew up as a brat, I was really happy that my parents told me how it was.

Stephanie is right about military children - we do know more than any other child would about the mechanics of war - but for me, it was comforting to understand all of that. For me, it was a piece of the puzzle. No one but other military kids understood what it was really like to have a parent deploy, or be separated from them for months and sometimes years. No one else knew what remote tours really meant, or why our parent kept a gear bag full of the essentials always at the ready. So for me, it was comforting to know what they have to work with, how they stay safe.

I don't really remember the very instant my parents told me about war, but I always remember open dialogue. As all parents are, I'm sure they were cautious. I'm sure they told me on a need to know basis and more importantly I'm sure there were many times that they decided I simply did not need to know. But the one thing that stayed true is that they were comforting and honest. They would answer my questions. They would listen. And for me, because we talked it about it, it made it less scary.

They always say that fear is of the unknown. I guess in this case I would agree, and because I knew so much it helped comfort me. War and conflict, time in far away places with way too much sand. . . it's just part of the package deal of being a military family. I wish we lived in a world where it wasn't but until then level setting is my advice on the way to go.

NOTE: If you're a military family and you are looking for ways to explain war to the members of your family, The Sesame Workshop has made terrific headway in this area. Check out their Talk, Listen, Connect resources that you can share with your kids.

Dept of Defense Photo Essay: Troops Reunite with Families

The Department of Defense has created a special section on their website in support of April as the Month of the Military Child.

While the entire site is wonderful, I was particularly touched to see the photo essays of troops returning home to their families and of our nation's military children.

As someone who has waited for their father to return from deployments throughout her life - to war zones and to not - I think they did a fantastic job of capturing the essence of the emotional reunion.

It's a day that military families hope and dream about - long before the military member even leaves. The families' faces and the look on the faces of those children, are so powerful.

Many thanks to the Department of Defense for shining a spotlight on military children and for showing beautiful moments.

*family with heart image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com*

2011 Military Child of the Year Award

On April 7th, five well deserving children received the Military Child of the Year Award from First Lady Michelle Obama at the Ritz Carlton Pentagon City Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.

The awards were given to outstanding military children from each branch of the military. Mrs. Obama discussed each of the award winners and their individual accomplishments. Click here to learn more about them.

I was impressed with each and everyone one of them, especially those who have focused their efforts on educating civilians about military issues and lifestyles, but not at all surprised at their efforts. They are military brats after all - - - they're made of amazing stuff.

Three cheers for all of them and for all of the military children stationed throughout the world!!

Month of the Military Child

I feel like I find a way to work in the fact that I'm a military brat into every post I write. It's in my Twitter bio and my LinkedIn profile. There's an entire section of my Facebook profile dedicated to it. And most importantly, it's in every breath I take.

Being a military brat is a great deal of who I am and even though I'm no longer a child, it's one of the things I work into a conversation when I'm first meeting someone. It's been who I am for as long as I can remember and it sums up my childhood so phenomenally, that it's hard to not use it as my primary identifier.

April is the month of the military child. I don't know when it started, but I'm ever so thankful that it has. When I was growing up, my friends and I used to joke with our parents about how we've "served" too. I remember my father laughing and saying, sure you do kid. But it's true . . . we do. We're shipped off with their boots every two to three years. We represent America every where we go, especially overseas, and our lives are also controlled by the government. We're there waiting for them to return home when they deploy. Yes, we do serve too.

For the record, those were the best years of my life and they are the ones that defined who I am. I'd gladly do it again and then again. It was a great honor to be a military brat and even though I'm no longer a child, I know that deep inside I will always be a military child.

If you know a military child, take time to honor them this month. Even a small thank you - just two simple words - can mean so very much. They sacrifice so much every day, alongside their military parents. Without them, the troops could not do what they do.

To all the military brats out there past, present and future we will forever be united. While the nation honors you this month, we will honor you always.

Well Wishes for My Army Brother

I've mentioned before that my brother is contracted by the Army. He attends the the University of Oklahoma on an Army scholarship and will become an officer upon graduation next May.

He's one of my favorite people. And despite the fact that he has spent almost more years apart from me than with me, we're so close.

Last week he departed for military training camp - two months, no contact. Yeish. Three days earlier he had just celebrated his 21st birthday. He made the rounds of phone calls reminding me that it wouldn't be that bad for me - we'd only miss our weekly calls. So that's like, 8. I couldn't help but smile when he said this.

I didn't think his departure would shake me. After all, we're both military brats and it's not like he's going far. He is stateside. It's just a camp. I mean, it will suck for him but it's not like it will suck for me.

But it made me sad, for a little bit. He's growing up. And even though he's been filling the role of an Army solider for the past three years, this suddenly makes it very real. Makes me realize that he's going to be graduating soon. And then going everywhere.

So, with a proud heart, I said good luck and bon voyage. Here's to you bud. We'll be thinking of you and we know you're going to rock at camp. Your scores are going to be stellar and when you get home, we'll totally celebrate your major achievements.

A Step in the Right Direction

This blog has become a bit of a sanctuary for me. This and Twitter. Both allow me to connect with the military community in a way that I didn't think was possible ten years ago. It's allowed me to bridge my two worlds together. It's allowed me to hold onto something that I struggle to keep at the center of my life everyday - my strong military heritage.

During the last semester of college I took a writing class that was awe-inspiring. It wasn't a surprise to me that I enjoyed writing, but what was surprising was what this professor got me to write about. Myself. I decided then that I wanted to share my experience with others.

In our world today, almost everyone has a unique story to share. The gentleman who lived in the Midwest on a farm his entire life. The New Yorker longing to escape the massive amounts of concrete. Everyone's life is special.

What this class did was show me that my life was truly interesting. Where I've been, where I started and how I got here. Someone who didn't even begin her life as an American. So many countries. So many houses. So many schools. At the root of it - the military.

Flash forward four years later and I'm finally giving the project the attention that it deserves. My life has been special and it is time for me to share it with the world. Particularly the other military children - past, present and future.

I'm currently working on a book proposal and channeling my creative energy into my first few chapters. I will fill the pages with the story of my journey, my experience, my path. How my entire existence revolved around being a military brat and how that affects me still even today. And even though many like me have shared their story before, the brilliance of the situation is that no two military brats are the same. Our stories will be entirely different.

I'm happy to share with you what will hopefully be a new beginning for me, and a step in the right direction. And, in the end, if I only write it for my friends and family, if I only write it for military family support centers, if I only write it for myself, I will have still written it. It is my hope that by sharing my experience, other military brats around the world will not feel like they are going it alone. Many brats have come before us, and many brats will come after us. But we're all connected.

Grey's Anatomy Finale Military Twist

I am a fan of Grey's Anatomy. It's hard to find a twenty something female in the USA who isn't. But last night, as I tuned in for the season finale and the departure of two main characters, I would have never guessed the military twist.

I am personally sad to see George, played by TR Knight, leave the show and was very surprised to see his ending. After interacting with a wounded solider from Iraq that was willing to do anything to get back into active duty status, George hears his patriotic call and enlists in the Army. We learn that he is to report to duty the following day.

Upon learning of O'Mally's decision a wave of disconcern, shock and anger washes over his closest friends. Several of George's friends discus how he'll do in Iraq and one exclaims "he'll come back in a body bag."

One character who took it especially hard was Callie, his ex-wife. Callie, along with Miranda and George's friends plan an intervention for later that day. They feel desperate to explain to him that this is the biggest mistake of his life.

When Callie informs her girlfriend, Arizona, of her disapproval of George's future occupation Arizona firmly tells her that she thinks that his decision is "awesome." Callie erupts in anger, in total disbelief that Arizona doesn't understand. We learn later that Arizona DOES understand when she tells Callie that her brother fought in Iraq and came home in a casket because there weren't enough doctors there to save him.

I thought that the show did an amazing job of depicting this scenario. Many families, friends and loved ones experience this situation every year. As a military brat, I've seen first hand the negativity expressed when such an occasion occurs. And as a military brat, my answer to someone's call to duty is, just as she said, AWESOME.

I know that because of my military background it is more natural for me to look at joining our nation's forces as a positive and amazing choice. After all, my father and brother both serve. But, it never ceases to amaze me how civilians react when they learn that someone they loved has joined. It's almost automatic - anger, disapproval, a strong desire to talk them out of it. Such a harsh extreme. And none of them stop to realize that it is that person's own decision. That their loved one feels like this is their path.

I was so very pleased to see that the show shed light on both perspectives. So, like Arizona, I would very much so like to stand up and shout from the roof tops to those enlisting and joining the military, YOU ARE AWESOME.

WE THANK YOU. WE SUPPORT AND CELEBRATE YOUR DECISION. YOU ARE OUR HEROES. WELCOME TO THE MILITARY COMMUNITY.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Ahh, Mother's Day. The one day a year that everyone on the planet simultaneously thinks about their mothers. After all, everyone has a mother.

When I was growing up my mother was, and still is, a military spouse. So it comes as no surprise that the things I'm most grateful to my mother for are all wrapped up in my military childhood. My mother truly is one of my heroes.



She is my definition of a Super Mom. A Mom who can move us from country to country - without my Dad.

The woman who promises that this move will be an adventure. The woman who gives me the biggest hug in the world after I say goodbye to my life and get on a plane and make that move.

The woman who reminds me, on my first day of school, that I'm a champion. That I've done this so many times before. That I can do it again.

The keeper of happiness. The woman who fills my life with optimistic thinking when I feel so alone and everything around me is strange, unfamiliar and very different. The woman who is a solid wall of strength when my father is so very far away, for so very long. The woman that holds our family together when we're all at a distance geographically - even still today.

The woman who really knows who I am, where I've been and the many steps it took to get where I am today. The woman who knows where it all began. The woman who knows my entire world and carries it with her. She is the gateway to things and places long forgotten - things and places that I'll never be able to revisit.

Some people are lucky - they get to live near their mothers for the course of their entire life. I'm not as lucky. My parents live on the opposite side of the nation, and yet I feel so fortunate, because for right now at least they don't live on the opposite side of the world. I can call my mom daily if I want which isn't something I could do a few years ago. I can call her and she's in the same time zone. I can take a three hour plane ride and be at her front door. While she may be far away, for the first time in many years, she's much more reachable.

My mother is an amazing person and I am so very thankful to have her. Happy Mother's Day Mom. You're the best.

Military Brats Build Invisible String of Support

All military brats are eventually faced with a tough decision - to join or not to join. To carry on the family tradition or pave their own way in the civilian world. Many military brats become military service members themselves; some marry into the military. And then there are the others. I'm part of the others, the part who chose to go it alone. I am a civilian.

My entire family is spread throughout the U.S. and somehow we get by just fine. As a military brat, I have become accustomed to only seeing my family once or twice a year. I have learned to deal with the separation, in good times and in bad, with the understanding that our family can never have a sense of normal - we have a normal, it's just a military normal.

This situation has allowed me to form a solid wall of strength and independence. It has also allowed me to fully appreciate the people I love who are closest around me, and even those who aren't.

I feel that through the years, I've built an invisible support system across the nation. Best friends in all areas - east coast, west coast, south and the north. Where it snows often. Where the sun rarely ceases to shine. Some military brats, some civilians who have adapted to my unique lifestyle.

Most recently, I've come to an unexpected roadblock in my life. It is during these times when I feel my friends and family are the closest to me, though their physical location is remarkably distant. They have an amazing way of making me feel like they're with me when I need it the most. When the pin drops, they come out of the woodwork.

I'm so fortunate to have the invisible string of support, those who won't hesitate to shout my name from the rooftops, those who never question my character and those who are a constant reminder of a brighter tomorrow.

While one of my life's adventures have ended, I have no doubt that I'll find another. Another adventure that is sure to lead to even better things. Another adventure that will continue to teach me life lessons and shape the very fiber of my being. And I have no doubt that my invisible string of support will be on board for the ride.

Recalled Military Mother - Remember SERVICE BEFORE SELF

I was reading one of my favorite blogs today, Storked, and she discussed an article she read about a military mom who was recalled to duty.

Here's a summary of the article if you don't have time to read it. There's a prior military woman who lives in NC. She served the Army for four years and was honorable discharged. Like ALL prior members, there is a possibility for her to be recalled. She was - called to report to Fort Benning, and isn't happy about it. Thing is, she has kids now. And apparently her husband travels a lot. Being away from them is "not an option."

So, in her first report back in, she drove about 400 miles, through a snow storm and brought her kids along. She's filed several appeals as to why she can't possibly be recalled and all were rejected. When she gets to Ft. Benning, they will let her know their decision.

The Associated Press piece reads, like most news of late, as a melodramatic movie script. She had to fight through an insane snow storm. She so doesn't want to have to go back into the Army. She's devastated to leave her children. The Army is the bad guy.

Seriously? No, I mean, seriously? As a military brat, I feel like I have the authority to sound off on this. Firstly, the piece is ridiculous and all it does is paint this horribly unfair picture of what happens to prior servicemen and women nationwide. Because, FYI folks, THIS happens to everyone. Men, women. Families of 6. Single people. This woman is not going on some plight by herself. And not to mention, we ALL drive hundreds of miles for everything in the military. Again, she is not alone. And we don't complain.

And reading this, and hearing this makes me angry. Firstly, I have the utmost respect for all mothers worldwide. Being a mother is a sacred thing and not one LIKES to be separated from their kids.

BUT, she chose to join the military and she knew and understood everything that goes along with it. The military is not a job, it is a lifestyle. A commitment. And I don't even want to hear her complain.

And as a military brat, I understand what it's like to have parents not there. Let's talk about the time my father was in the land of sand and my brother graduated . . . HIGH SCHOOL. Or the many birthday, soccer games, every day occurrences that he missed. We NEVER complained. Ever. And we are the kids. It is the nature of our lives. And we had mad respect for our parents who were sent away. Don't even get me started on the families who have TWO military parents. Their kids don't complain either.

Additionally, you may think that I'd like the Army to make her go. BUT, I don't. I don't want someone who's heart isn't in the right place, over with all the other men and women deployed who's hearts are in the right place. She doesn't deserve to serve with them. They wouldn't want her.

An old saying, from my favorite Army Ranger in my life, is SUCK IT UP AND PRESS ON. Life happens. The military is your life. You can't just pick when and where it suits you. There is a reason why we say service before self. Think about that.

Stimulus Pkg May Help Military Families Who Are Selling Homes

Ahh, moving. The one word that is at the top of every military brat's minds. Two or three year rotations. Inevitable. Exciting. Difficult. I could go on for hours. If you're in the military, or part of a military family, you truly know the drill. You also may be able to pack up your entire life in less than 24 hrs. We're pros.

With the housing market being the way it is, and the economy seemingly hidding under the world's imaginary covers (I'd hide there too for the record), many military families have begun to dread PCSing. Buying a house at a new station is always a risk, but sometimes that risk pays off, and then again sometimes it doesn't.

For all the families who are looking towards a PCS and have begun planning, here's some positive news I'd like to share from military.com. It's been reported that the new stimulus bill may be helping you out when it comes to selling your homes.

"The stimulus package includes $555 million in aid to compensate military service members who are given orders and must sell their homes for less than market value. The Department of Defense would reimburse the individuals for up to 95 percent of the loss if the homes were purchased before July 1, 2006. The department could also elect to purchase the homes for up to 90 percent of the fair market value."

As of right now, everything is in a holding pattern until the DOD figures out which "value" it uses as a benchmark - in today's market, or the market condition at the time of purchase. This could result in tens of thousands of aid being delivered to our military members who need it most! Fingers crossed, I'm hoping that this helps many of you and maybe even my family who weren't able to sell their home two years ago before PCSing.

Military Escort Service - Sound Off - To Be Seen or Not To Be Seen?

Yesterday I talked about a new HBO film that provides a glimpse into the world of the military escort process. I thought the timing of the film is almost perfect - as the new vice president has a very specific opinion on the transparency of the military escort process.

As I mentioned before, the process is not something that is typically discussed or seen by the civilian world. Our new VP feels that this is something that needs to change and that our nation should see, in many reporter's words, "the true cost of war."

As a military brat, I have unique feelings about this. If, heaven forbid, the situation ever happened to me, I would not want the world to be witness to it. It's a process that should be for the family only. For instance, no other deaths (besides presidents, celebrities, etc) get showcased for the world to see. I would feel that it would be such an invasion of privacy and I would be angry that my loved one, after giving the ultimate sacrifice to their country, could be exploited by the media. I'm sorry, but that is how I feel.

In addition, someone I love very dearly has had intense experiences with these situations. One of my best friends used to work for the USO in Dover, DE. Not only was she responsible for sending troops over to the land of sand, but she was also responsible for being there to assist the families when they came home in flag draped coffins. Time and time again, I remember how she told me she felt. How the family would react. How her heart felt like it would shatter into a million pieces every time. She was so strong, for those families, in their darkest hour. And she did it out of respect, but after many years it took a toll on who she was and had to move on. I will forever admire her for her dedication to the nation and the military service. I would never be strong enough to do that. Ever.

So maybe you can see how this is not something I think that should be put on display for all of America. Burials in Arlington aren't. And it's not like our nation doesn't know - - - soldiers names are splashed across every major newspaper when this goes down. You can't seem to turn on the news or read anything in print that doesn't have that cold headline that rocks you to your core. Some things should be private.

And overall, I think about the military families whose loved ones are currently deployed. The military families that are waiting for them to come home. Who have a yellow ribbon tied around their heart. Bearing witness to their husbands/wives/fathers/daughters/sons/etc comrades would take a toll on their spirits. Aren't their families sacrificing enough already?

Your turn to sound off - what's your stance? How do you think you'd feel if the media starts covering these situations? Do you feel that its something your entitled to see? Why?

Topics In My Head: I Miss My Dad. Oh, and a C-130 Donation

I know that most of my posts are a mix of military news or topics with a personal twist but sometimes I can't help but write something very personal. Today I planned to tell you about the 86th Airlift Wing (Ramstein Air Base, Germany) and their upcoming donation of C-130s to our allies in Poland. I was going to talk about how I love to ride in C-130s and how cool I thought the donation was. But I can't seem to write about it. All I want to write about is how much I miss my Dad.

For the record, I miss my Mom and my entire family. But this week, for some reason, I really specifically miss my Dad. I don't have a reason why, I just do. Truth is that until last week there was a possibility that my father might have a new position that would have him go on a deployment fairly soon. When the decision came and we were told that he wasn't going to be going away I was happy, but he wasn't.

I feel that it's times like these where I miss my Dad the most. When I was talking to him on Sunday, I mentioned that I missed him. He smiled (we video conference) and asked if there was any reason in particular. I said "um, because I just do." I guess that I am realizing the reason why as I type this post.

I feel lucky to have him home, and if the decision had gone the other way I would be just coming to the terms of his upcoming deployment. And this Sunday, I didn't have to do that. I could just talk to him about the every day things. About the cruise he's taking with my Mom and the new clothes he brought for the special occasion. Not about if he knows when and where he's deploying to.

I know, that as I'm saying this that it is such a selfish thing for a military brat to say. After all, so many other Moms and Dads are deployed throughout the world. But my Dad's been in for more than 20 years and I don't want to feel guilty about doing a mini-dance of happiness because I'm happy that he's not going away again. But maybe I should. He wanted to go, and in the end, us military brats know that what they want is the best thing and we must be okay with that as part of the family.

On his way home from work yesterday my Dad called me to say hi. I think he's done that maybe once or twice before in my entire adult life. (He really doesn't like talking on the phone and we usually just talk on Sundays) I missed his call and when I listened to his message I smiled one huge smile. He called to say hi. It's a big deal for me. An even bigger one, because he never gets to do that when he's deployed. My word of the day is GRATEFUL. That I am. GRATEFUL.

Base Housing - Living on the Outside

Anyone who's ever driven onto a military base will tell you one thing about all of the buildings - they look the same. Same colors. Same shapes. No flair. All uniform, including the base housing.

As a military brat, I've lived in a lot of base housing throughout the years. My favorite has to be the house my family lived in on Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, LA. It was old-school Southern style with hard wood floors and beautiful windows. Completely unlike regular military housing.

The runner up for me has to be the tower I lived in while my family was station at Yokota AFB in Japan. The building was on rollers and could withstand the sways that the earthquake tremors would bring to it, keeping its residents safe. That building protected my family many a time, and I would be thankful for it every time I woke up on the floor (instead of my bed) after a shake in the middle of the night. I awoke knowing it kept my family safe.

When you live on base you live next to other military members. You don't have any neighbors that are unfamiliar or come from different walks of life. Everyone is the same. Each morning they all wake up and put on a uniform and go defend our nation.

With that said, my family has chosen to live off base a few times in my father's career. The option to be able to pick a place that you actually want to live has always been an appeal to my Mom and it's always exciting to live next to non-military families.

As I've mentioned before, my folks are stationed in the great sunny state of Florida. Their off base housing allowance is decent and with all three kids out of the house my parents decided to rent a townhouse in a sweet community in Tampa Bay. I visit as often as I can and I have to say that it is one of the coolest casas my parents have ever had - the location, the community, the water!

As if living off base isn't a treat enough, my parents community is quite popular with the celebrity crowd. Several members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team live there, and a famous author who shall remain nameless.

With Tampa being the host city for the Super Bowl this year, other celebrities have set their sights on the community as well. For a few months now a hip-hop mogul has been interested in hosting his Super Bowl bash at the community's club. And just this week the famous American Idol superstar who is in charge of belting out the National Anthem at the big game temporarily moved in across the street from my folks.

Each time I get a celebrity update from my parents, I have to laugh. We're just a military family. And this would never happen on base. My parents really have the most interesting neighbors and the best part of it is, they don't even care.

USAF Thunderbirds Release 2009 Show Schedule

There are few sounds in life that I love more than the roar of a military plane's engine. . . particularly if said engine was of the Thunderbird persuasion.

I took my first picture next to a fighter jet was I was five years old. I had just become a military brat. I strongly believe that I'll still feel the same level of excitement towards the jets when I'm 105 years old.

So for all of you fans out there, click here to see their 2009 schedule.

I know when I'm going! Do you?

First Lady Gets Military Families

I'm a fan of www.military.com and try to visit the site at least once or twice a week. On this most historical day, the day that Obama became the nation's 44th president of the United States, I visited the site and came across the First Lady's letter to Americans. I encourage you to read it.

Her letter seemed heartfelt and honest. The part that resonated with me the most was how she stated that she "particularly cherished visits with military families all across the country. And if there's one thing I learned, it's that when our servicemen and women go to war, their families go with them."

Her paragraphs about the military significance to our nation, and how she described our lives rang through to me. I honestly believe that she genuinely gets military families.

"So as I watch Barack take that oath, I'll be thinking especially about those members of our American family who stand guard across the world and the loved ones who await their safe return. Because even as we mark this moment in American history, there still will be empty seats at the dinner table; there still will be spouses struggling to juggle roles and responsibilities; there still will be children who mark the passing of a birthday without Mommy and toddlers who know their father only by a grainy video stream from a far-flung corner of the globe."

As a military brat, I was glad to read that. Whether I'm 12 or 20, my Dad's deployments still feel the same. Here's to hoping that starting today American can turn over a new leaf - - - and begin a new journey.

*the excerpts above were taken from www.military.com*

Growing Trend: Can't Find a Job? Join the Military

The New York Times reported this in today's edition "More Joining American Military as Jobs Dwindle"

In 2008, all branches of the military met their recruitment goals and according to the article, 2009 may pull in even stronger numbers. The article discusses the growing trend that is sweeping our nation - unemployed, joined the service.
While the service may seem like a good option for some, it is not the lifestyle for everyone and most importantly it is not a decision that should be rushed into. The trend many years before, that I remember, dealt with high school graduates. Just graduated and have no clue what to do? Join the military.

As a military brat, I have a mixed feelings when it comes to that situation and the new trend. On a positive note, I understand the pull and am glad that people who never considered joining the military have discovered that it is a fantastic opportunity. I'm glad to see recruitment numbers soar and I'm glad that all branches of the service are gaining new waves of incredible Americans.

On the flip side, the US military is phenomenal and should be an option that one takes with respect and patriotism, not as any easy way to solve ones problems. Most of the people I know of, who have taken that route, end up hating the military. This is an unfortunate situation, both for the military branch of service and the individual. After all, the individual chose the military. The military did not choose the individual.

Most importantly, as a military brat who's father still serves, I'd rather know that the people working beside my father are there because they really want to be - not because it was the only alternative. Because when they find out that they're going to be deployed and its something they're against or not willing to do, there is no alternative. And the men and women who serve beside them will want to know that their heart is in it and that they've got their backs.

Don't mistake what I'm saying above as negativity - I'm purely expressing my opinions because I've seen split second decisions to join make people hate their lives. And obviously I'm protective of my military community, because, to my very core, I love the military and it will always be a part of me. Deciding NOT to join the service was the hardest decision I ever had to make; after all I've only known a military lifestyle and it has made me who I am today.

So to all those who are considering joining - I encourage you to listen to everyone (recruiters, military families, prior military members) but most of all listen to your heart. Only that will tell you if this path is right for you.

2009 Yokota High School All Years Reunion

Ah, high school reunions. The event that most people dread. For me, it's different. As a military brat I went to two high schools - one in Japan and one in the US. I spent three years at Yokota High School, a DoDDS school in the Pacific rim. I left the summer before my senior year and moved to the US. My time at Yokota HS was phenomenal and some of the best memories from my life come from that time.

So, when the official alumni association announced plans for the 2009 All Years Reunion, my BFFs (Heather Ivey and Amanda Stangl) and I jumped up and down in excitement.

For my non-military readers, I hear you asking, "All Years Reunion? What?" The greatest thing about going to a DoDDS school is that it doesn't matter how long you attended or if you had the opportunity to graduate before the military made you move. You will always have a strong connection with that school.

And why do military brats find these reunions so exciting? Because, for most of us, we can never return. It is a world that we can never touch; it is only a memory. For me, Yokota AFB and our high school will always be just a memory. We can never walk the halls again. Never go to a football game. Never go to our favorite high school hangouts. It's on an air base in Japan and most of us are now civilians. Not military? They won't let you in. So, reconnecting with old classmates allows us to reconnect with that world we can never touch.

So for Yokota High School, an all years reunion is fitting. If you were ever a Panther, you'll always be a Panther. Walked the halls as a student at any point in your life - you're invited. DoDDS reunions tend to be big and have alumni in a wide variety of age ranges.

This year the reunion is based in a place I like - San Antonio, TX. I've done an okay job in keeping in touch with the people I used to roll with back in the land of the rising sun. With Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and the likes our network is pretty strong. Granted our school was tiny; my class had less than 60. (btw when I moved I graduated at a school that had a class of more than 500. can we say shocker?)

So my girls and I have made it our mission to spread the word about the event and show up with a good crowd of people we know. Yesterday, I created my first Facebook group for the event. Fingers crossed. If our plan works, we're going to bring the party to TX.

Chilis Coming to Yokota AFB

During my lunch break today I jumped on to Stars and Stripes and came across an article in Monday's edition that made me stop and say, woah. For my readers, please note, if you are not a military brat the article will not make YOU say woah.

As a military brat I've been fortunate to live and travel throughout the world. During my high school years my family and I were stationed at Yokota Air Force base in Japan. It is one of my most favorite places and every time I think of it my heart floods with memories.

So needless to say, when I saw the headline, "Five food, coffee places opening at Yokota," my interest was peaked. Yokota was my old stomping grounds. Anyone remember the coffee stand in the terminal? ha ha

The most impressive sentence in the article was the one that announced that Chili's Bar and Grill had plans to build at YAB. "Perhaps the biggest name coming to Yokota this year is Chili’s, which will be next to the Airman and Family Readiness Center. Stachowiak said the $5.6 million facility is expected to open in late summer."

So why am I excited for Yokota? Chili's! Variety. A new hang out. Somewhere else BESIDES Anthony's Pizza. I know that Yokota has changed a lot since I was there but some things never change. The food court.

For those who are non-military, let me break it down. Being stationed somewhere so far away from home is hard. But it is especially hard when it comes to your food selection. Aside from your host country's offerings off base you only have a few selections on base: Anthony's Pizza, Robin Hood Deli, Baskin Robbins, Popeyes and the most loathed Burger King.(I think I've eaten in a Burger King less than a handful of times since I've been back in the U.S.) If you're lucky you get a Taco Bell, Subway, Charley's Steakery and Pizza Hut. Other than a few other spots that is it. So imagine, what three years of just that is like. Now you know why I never eat at Burger King!

So to hear that something new is coming to Yokota makes me rejoice for all the families and service members that are stationed there. Whoot! Whoot! I also would like to applaud the new addition for the fact that it will actually create 75 new jobs. Calling all YHS Panthers? You know where you'll be applying.