At Home Front Military Network, every member of our staff has a personal connection to military life. Whether they have served themselves, are the spouse of a service member, or have grown up in a military household, we understand firsthand the challenges of transitioning to civilian life—not only for veterans but for their loved ones as well.
Recently, one of our senior case managers shared her experience of transitioning out of the Navy while balancing life as a spouse, mother, and veteran. She enlisted in the Navy straight out of high school on a “spur of the moment” decision and served for four years as an aviation structural mechanic. After leaving the military, she returned to school—a period she described as both lonely and confusing, as she adjusted to civilian life while navigating the responsibilities of motherhood.
She described her military and transitioning experience as not just affecting her but her family as well. She shared:
“[The military] builds you up to break you back down [to be] what they want you to be, but then when you get out, you’re still what they want you to be, but you have no idea who you are. It hurts the families of veterans, especially because they are at the will of the military throughout their career anyway, you know, [service members] have no say in where they go. The kids have no say in where they go to school. It’s just like, yep, I got orders, here you go, you gotta go.”
She continues:
“I think [it is] important to honor the family sacrifices [like] missed birthdays, school graduations, that kind of thing. Because it’s just in terms of keeping the country safe, it’s also the sacrifice that most civilians don’t have to worry about, you know? I think too if there is care for your veterans, they can pass on like their stories to their children who then may be inspired to join the military because we need a strong military.”
As we celebrate the Month of the Military Child, let us not only acknowledge the sacrifices that our service members have to endure but also the sacrifices of their children. As our senior case manager eloquently said, military children lead lives unlike their civilian counterparts, often navigating frequent relocations, extended separations from loved ones due to deployments, and the uncertainties that come with military life. Despite these challenges, they exhibit remarkable resilience, adaptability, and maturity beyond their years. Together, let’s ensure that military children know they are valued, cherished, appreciated, and cared for every day of the year.
