What Having A Parent In The Military Taught Me | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

What Having A Parent In The Military Taught Me

I learned what is really important in life.

628
What Having A Parent In The Military Taught Me
Fatherhood

Growing up in a military family, things are a lot different than what another family may experience. Moving every two to three years, deployments, traveling, living on and off base, calling everyone by their last name, and so much more. Growing up, you learn many things about yourself, your family, and your country.

Respect is a big lesson I've learned through life. Having a dad in the military has taught me so much respect. For myself, my father, my family, and for all those who have served or is serving in the military. They put their lives at risk just so the rest of us can sleep safely at night. They have to leave their beloved families, to protect our families they don't know us, nor will they ever meet us. Some lose their lives so that we can live a free one. The respect that I have gained for all military personnel has been directly influenced by my own father and his service. Without him being in the military I may not have been taught why to respect those who are. I understand first hand what it means to be patriotic. When you have a parent in the military, you are innately forced to become passionate about it too. Service men and women put their country before themselves each and every day so that we can have the freedoms many of us so easily take for granted. As the daughter of two of these individuals, I've been raised to always remember and appreciate that the military plays a huge role in keeping the country we call home a safe place for us all

One of the hardest things about being a military family is the seemingly never ending deployments or TDY's. These can be anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple months, to a couple years in length. You just never know. The military forced us to be strong, and independent. Although deployments suck (without a doubt) they make those involved stronger, it's time that allows your family to become stronger as well. Adaptability is key. After being deposited from location to location, I’ve learned how to become a chameleon of sorts and adapt quickly to my surroundings. As a result, I’ve developed a set of “social survival skills," I've learned how to make friends quickly, embrace unique cultures, and appreciate different perspectives. Change is one of the few constants in life. After everything I’ve experienced, I’ve learned that there is nothing that I can’t make it through with time. Life will throw obstacles at you. If you have the mental fortitude and willpower, you can conquer anything, and I mean absolutely anything!

After all, any seasoned military brat knows that when your parents serve, you serve too. And I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. I'm thankful for every opportunity I have been given through life, and none of it would be possible if my dad hadn't enlisted. So, here's to you dad. Thank you.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Things You Can Get Away With Now That You're At College

83% of my trends in college would have been shamed in high school.

618
college life
Google Images

Transitioning from high school to college can be a stressful experience, especially if you're like me and hate change. Over the past two years I've realized there's many things I couldn't get away with in High School that are typically applauded in college.

1. Eat

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf

Life is hard. You know what makes it even more tough? Living with chronic b*tch face (CBF). This condition is so debilitating that I have decided to chronicle the 10 things everyone who suffers from CBF experiences. Who better to help me than the queen of CBF herself, Blair Waldorf?

Keep Reading...Show less
Harvard Students

I thought senioritis in high school was rough until I became a college senior about to go into the real world. I'm supposed to have everything figured out, right? I mean I went through four years of tough classes and serious self-searching (and crying). What I found overall was Senioritis sneaking up on me.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

8 Texts You Get From Your High School Friends

You might not see them everyday anymore, but you're still friends and your text messages prove it.

496
High School Friends
Ashlynn West

It takes a little while to get used to not seeing your high school best friends every day. Going away to college causes a lot of changes, but one thing that will never change is my love for my high school BFFs, and the texts that I get from them. Here are just 8 of the texts I get from them on the weekly:

Keep Reading...Show less
legally blonde

College is filled with many things, and we're so often lectured to make the right decisions as we head out on our own into the college life. But sometimes it's necessary to indulge in some guilty pleasures as well as just doing things because you can. And honestly, a lot of the time it's inevitable. College is no piece of cake that's for sure, so it's okay to do some things you deep down know you shouldn't....once in a while anyways.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments