Category Archives: Military Brats

Stories and experiences of growing up in military families, including moves, deployments, friendships, and life as a military brat.

Jeff’s Story: Military Brat to Military Man (Part 1 of 3)

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What Branch of service are you connected to?

Air Force (13 years Active duty)

Army (29 years Natl Guard)

How are you connected to the military?

I was raised as a military brat and become a service member in both the Air Force and then the Army. I served from July 1979 – Aug 2021 and achieved the rank of E8 – Master Sergeant. I’m currently retired.

Why did you join?

I joined, because I felt a calling to serve.  My father was military from when I was born up until I was about 12.  You could say it was ‘in my blood’.

What did you do in the Military?

In the Air Force I did the following jobs: Titan II missile facility electrician,         Communication / Navigation Systems repair on B-52 and KC-135 aircraft, Flight line Maintenance Control, Instructor for Maintenance on Comm/Nav sys for B-52 and KC-135 aircraft

In the Army: TOW Anti-tank missile launchers repair, Heavy Tracked vehicle maintenance,    Satellite communications systems operator, Platoon Sergeant, Division level Signal operations control, Battalion level Senior Signal Non Commissioned Officer (NCO)

Were you ever deployed?

Deployments: 2 Both to Germany. The first I was flying supplies into Sarajevo during the Yugoslavian split (3 months) a nd the second was post 9/11 security for several US military facilities in Germany (9 months).

Thank you Jeffrey for sharing! Stay tuned for part 2!

April’s Story: Army Brat

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What Branch of the service were you connected to, how, and what years?

I was born in Atlanta, Ga January 1969 as an Army brat as my father was serving. In total my father served 20 years, 17 in Army and last 3 in Navy. 

Where have you lived?

When I was 3 months old we were stationed in Germany. We lived in Karlsruhe and Rusheim for 8 years.

What was your favorite tour of duty and why?

My favorite tour of duty was there in Germany. My Oma (landlady, as we lived off base until I started school) treated me like her own. She didn’t speak English and I learned German from her. I got to experience early in life another culture & history.

How do you answer when people ask, “Where are you from?”

We lived mostly on the East Coast when we were in the USA. When asked where I’m from I always say Atlanta, GA but I’ve called South Carolina home since 1984.

How has being a military brat influenced your life?

I’m definitely a traveler and travel domestically and internationally when ever I get the chance. I’m not a typical tourist as I immerse myself in the culture I’m visiting. My husband of 25+ years doesn’t understand my desire, no need to travel as he’s a homebody but he’s learned that’s just part of my makeup and travels with me.

Thank you, April, for sharing your story!

Korrina’s Story: Air Force Brat, Navy Wife

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Which branch of the service are you connected to, for what years, and how?

Dad was retired Air Force. He achieved the rank of SMSGT and served from 1955-1975 as a Crew Chief. He was deployed 3 times to Vietnam. He as near the DMZ but not in direct combat. His base was bombed. We came to Randolph AFB, Texas in 1970 and Dad retired here in 1974. He has since passed away.

My husband was in the Navy.

Brat and Spouse. I also have a nephew thar was in the Marines and
his brother who was in the Army and received a Purple Heart in
Afghanistan.

I’m a Brat from 1956 to 1947. Spouse from 2006 to current.

What was the best tour of duty location and why?

Prior to the Randolph area I loved being stationed at Clark AB.

I was a tween when we were stationed at Clark. Living off base at
Diamond Sub Division was fun as there were so many kids in my age
group. I loved the flowers!!

How do you answer the question “where are you from?”

I usually just say the I’m an AF Brat. If I’m out of state people assume
I’m from Texas as I’ve picked up the accent, lol.

Love in the Military

Mom and Dad got married when Dad got out of basic.

School in the Military

We lived off base at Randolph so I went to a local high school near the base, Judson High, Converse, TX 1974. I never lost my ID. I don’t remember all the other schools I attended. Two were military schools, on in Japan and one in Clark, PI.

I still have connections to many friends from that time.

How did your family cope when you missed your sponsor?

As a Daddy’s girl, I hated it when my dad went to Vietnam. We would always move back to Mom’s hometown. No military bases, all civilians. I was bullied and felt very alone on those occasions. And I hated the snow! We were always stationed in the tropics or the southern United States.

Most and Least Favorite Locations to live

Most was always SE Asia, Philippines, and Japan. Least favorite was Mom’s hometown in Indiana.

Advice for those families dealing with deployments and separations?

Stay close to a base where your children are comfortable. Don’t uproot their routine. When they area deployed, everything changes.

How do you answer the question: “Where are you from?”

I have lived 7-8 different places so I say, “I’m an Air Force Brat.” None of us take exception to being called Brats!

Where do you call home and why?

Texas.

As a Brat, home was just wherever we lived. As we moved I learned
that I do not like cold and snow and living in South Texas we rarely
get snow.

Thank you, Korrina, for sharing your story!

Nancy’s Story: Army Special Services Brat

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What branch of the military are you connected to?

My dad was Army Special Services in the Korean War.  His secret clearance allowed him to find jobs as a teacher/school administrator on Kwajalein Marshall Island and in Vientiene, Laos.

How are you connected?

Child/Brat

Where and what years?

Kwajalein – 1962-1967

Laos – 1972-1975

Best Tour of Duty and why?

Both locations were very memorable and happy. As a young child, Kwajalein was a tropical paradise, with beaches, water sports and friendships made that have lasted to this day.

As a High Schooler, Laos was an environment unlike anything stateside.

How do you answer the question: “Where are you from?”

Well, I was born in Idaho, but lived all over the place.

Where do you call “home” and why?

Home is where I presently live.  I have no roots in any one place. 

Thank you, Nancy, for sharing your story!

Juan’s Story: Air Force Brat to Navy Vet

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How are you connected to the Military and what years?

I was born into an Air Force family in 1956 until my father retired in 1972. I joined the Navy in 1974 and was discharged in 1976 due to a medical condition.

What was your best Tour of Duty and why?

Best tour of duty was at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Puerto Rico. Best time of my life.

I was 18 years old and living in a tropical paradise away from my family. I was on my own and for the most part I was free to make my own choices. They were not all good but they were mine.

What do you tell people when they ask: “Where are you from?”

I tell people I am from all over. And I wouldn’t have it any other way

Thank you for sharing your story!

Marc’s Story: Army Brat

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Which branch of the service are you connected to, how, and when?

I was an Army brat from 1951-1963.

Best tour of duty location and why?

Fort Bliss, TX. First school where all the classmates were also Brats. Also summer vacation activities were great!

How do you answer the question “Where are you from?”

I just say I’m a military Brat. Most people understand.

Where do you call home?

I don’t consider anywhere “home.” I currently live in China, but that’s not what I consider to be my home. Any military base feels like home though.

Thank you, Marc, for sharing your story!

Min’s Story: Army Brat

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Which Branch of service are you connected to and which State?

Army. Maryland was the last place.

How are you connected? What years?

Army brat. 1979-1994.

Best Tour of Duty location? Why?

Maryland. Weirdly enough I liked the area and my uncle was stationed there with my cousins who I’m really close to. I didn’t hear many people who grew up with extended family members nearby.

How do you answer the question: “Where do you come from?”

I’m from all over, but consider my home to be my current place.

Where do you call “home” and why?

I believe Maryland will always be my forever home, but San Antonio is starting to be. I finished school in San Antonio, TX, started my career there, met my partner here (also a military brat), and his family and my family are here.

Thank you, Min, for sharing your story!

Caitlin’s Story: Once a Brat, Always A Brat

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What branch of the service are you connected to?

Most recently, the Air Force. Although, in doing genealogy, I am connected to all branches except the Coast Guard and the new Space Force.

Caitlin in the early 1990s wearing gear from the motor pool at Fort Bragg. The sneakers were from when Free Willy released.

How are you connected?

I am a proud Air Force brat.

What years were you or are you connected?

1986 to 1996, although I believe once a Brat, always a Brat.

Caitlin’s dad at Fort Bragg when they lived off base. Late 1980’s.

What was the best tour of duty location? Why?

Fort Bragg was my favorite. That’s where most of my memories are. There was so much a kid could do there. When Dad was gone, Mom took care of us – my sister and I. I feel she did the best she could. The late 1980’s – early 1990’s were pretty heated, and he was gone a lot between TDY, Gulf War, Haiti and general trainings.

How do you answer the question, “Where are you from?”

I ask them “do you mean currently, or historically?”

Where do you call home and why?

Home was wherever our mom and our stuff was. It’s still that way now that I’m a mom as well. We’ve moved a few times (non-military) and I always tell her that home is wherever I am for her.

Thank you, Caitlin for sharing your story!

Eddie: Navy Brat Living Overseas

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Welcome Eddie back as he shares his experiences traveling as a Navy brat.

How Do You Answer the Question: Where are You From?

It has always been a tough one if you haven’t been part of the military life. Sadly I do not have a place I call home. I like to claim to be from Hawaii. It’s easier to say than trying to explain my background and why I look the way I look. if people push, I tell them my mother is Japanese and my father is from Kentucky.

What Did You Like Most About Living Overseas?

The freedom of just being a kid with no responsibilities.

How Many Elementary/Middle and High Schools Did You Attend?

Five elementary, two middle, and one high school.

The Best Place Your Parents Were Stationed?

Yokosuka, Japan.

Eddie in the blue hat, 2 unknown girls, Jessie and his brother. My dad knew Jesse personally and my dad would give him magazines he enjoyed. As a thank you my dad’s friend arranged for us to go to Jessie’s sumo stable for a tour and we met him personally.

How Many Times Was Your Sponsor Deployed and How Was That Experience For You?

I remember my dad going to the Philippines and Korea a lot. It was always great because he’d come home with lots of comic books, shoes, and clothes. My dad went on two six month deployments. One to Kenya and the other to Australia.

At the time I didn’t appreciate living in seven different places. All of them had a uniqueness about them. I have lots of good memories, however, I hated moving and leaving friends behind. Looking back it was a great experience as I saw a lot of the world. It gives me an appreciation for things I have now. I’m lucky to still have friends from back then.

Did You or Any of Your Siblings Join the Armed Forces?

My brother went into the National Guard as he could not join the regular Army because he had flat feet. I went into the Army but wanted to go into the Marine Corps. The recruiter for the Marines didn’t show up so I joined the Army.

Favorite Memories?

Some of the best memories I have are from recent years. After having not lived in Hawaii for forty years or so it was nice to go back. I went there in 1999 and was able to see my old home and even go inside to look at it. Not much had really changed in the home. It was smaller than I remembered. The cactus my dad planted was huge and taller than the house. I went back again in 2015 and the home was gone. Everything had changed in the neighborhood and I did not recognize anything.

Stay tuned as Eddie returns to talk about his life in the Army.

Eddie’s Story: Military Father and Son

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Welcome Edward “Eddie” Mingus to our blog! Today he shares his father’s experience of serving in the Navy.

Why did He join?

The way my dad tells it, his mother told him he was old enough and needed to leave the house and get a job. My family has a long history of service to the Armed Forces.

Edward “Donnie” Mingus (father) and Edward “Eddie” Mingus (son)

All About Dad

My father was a Chief Petty Officer (CPO) in the United States Navy from 1957 to 1979. I don’t remember how many deployments he had but he has been to Vietnam, Cuba, Philippines, Korea, Kenya, Australia, Johnston Island and probably others I don’t recall. He was stationed at: Great Lakes, Sasebo, Johnston Island, Hawaii, Camp Lejune, Subic Bay, Yokosuka, and San Diego.

Best and Worst Assignments?

Dad considered his best assignment to be Yokosuka and being on the USS Midway. He would like to return to Sasebo someday.

HIs worst assignment would have been Vietnam. He doesn’t talk much about it.

Favorite Memory

I think it would be his time on the USS Midway. He talks a lot about it. Of all the Navy hats he wears it always has something to do with the Midway.

Favorite Place to Live?

My dad would say either Yokosuka or Sasebo.

Toughest Time?

My dad would say retiring from the Navy was the hardest.

Is the Military better now than when you joined?

In some ways I think my dad and I would agree that there are parts which are better. There is an overall problem with leadership.

The biggest reason is there’s a culture of wokeness developing within the military. It’s become a social experiment where the focus has been on feelings and personal enrichment, whatever that may be. This is the US Military. It’s for one thing, and that’s defense of this country and war.

Why Did He Leave?

My dad retired because he was ready to go home. He loved the Navy and regrets retiring when he did. In retrospect he would have liked to stay in longer than he did.

Where’s he at now?

My dad is living in Cloverport, KY. He loved the name and regrets retiring when he did.

Staying Connected

My dad doesn’t really keep in touch with anyone. He doesn’t use a computer and many of his friends are in bad shape.

STAY TUNED as Eddie shares his experience as a Navy brat and then his experiences in the Army!