What is life on a military base like for children?

Question

What do they do? Who do they hang out with? Do they move a lot? Do they go to military functions with their parents? Are they required to salute/respect other officers and soldiers? What do they wear? Are they required to do any other special ceremonies? Are bases run on military time? How much free time do they get? Is the housing for enlisted personnel and officers different? Are the children of officers allowed to associate with the children of enlisted soldiers? Are boys and girls treated differently, and are gender roles encouraged?

Sorry for all the questions, any info is appreciated. I'm just curious as to how regimented a military childhood would be, or if it varies according to each family.

Answer 1

I'll try to tackle theses one by one.

1. They are civilian children. Their fathers of mothers are the ones that are in the military. They are the same as any other kid.

2. They hang out with the other kids in the area. Most military people do not live on base, there isn't enough base housing so the kids go to school with and play with the civilian population in the area.

3. Yes, we do move alot. On average we move between every 2-6 years depending on the military members particular job/mission/ deployment schedule.

4. Most military functions are for military members only so they do not go to many. Mostly they go to family functions. Christmas parties, Easter Egg hunts and the like.

5. Military children are civilians and are not required to salute anyone, although my heart swells when they salute me.

6. They wear the same type clothing as any other kid, they are civilians.

7. The children are not "required" to do anything by the military. If Mom or Dad wants them to do something, well that is a different story.

8. Bases are run on military time and civilian time. Military time is typically used during military missions to coordinate activities and troop movements. If I go to the BX on base and deal with the civilian employee I can't expect him/her to know what 1800hrs is.

9. They have the same amount of free time every other child has, they are not in the military, their parents are.

10. At some bases the Officer and Enlisted housing is different. In those cases the Officer housing is fancier and larger. Modern military construction is removing this distinction because the old barriers between the Officer and Enlisted corps is diminishing. It's a long story but on most bases with new construction the houses are very similar.

11. The children of Officers and Enlisted members are allowed to play with whom ever they like, there are no regulations prohibiting it.

12. This is a odd question as it isn't a military question at all, it's a society question. I have both a son and daughter. I want my son to be a man one day and my daughter to be a woman. I want them to do their best and go where their heart leads them and I will help them to that goal with all I can.

Answer 2

1) they are kids, so they do things like kids do

2) their friends

3) depends on the job, some do - others don't

4) it depends on the function, command bbqs, gatherings, yes - balls, no

5) No they are not required to salute because they are not the person in uniform.  Just like spouses do not salute unless they are Active Duty military themselves.

6) clothes, just like everyone else

7) no they are not

8) no

9) it depends on the parents, their homework, etc...

10) it depends on the area they live in, some areas there is a difference in housing and other areas there isn't.

11) yes they are

12) no, they are just like normal kids.

When you compare a military kid to a regular kid, most of the time you can't tell the difference.  Kids are kids, it doesn't matter who they are, where they live, or anything else.  

FRG - Family Readiness Group, a support group for the command for families.

NCO - Non Commissioned Officer (enlisted)

Answer 3

There life is very similar to any other child. They go to school, they play outside, they go to some functions, other's they don't. They wear whatever you would like them to in their free time (I believe all the schools have uniforms similar to tan pants, shorts or skirts and navy blue polos and tees.

But they can wear a nice outfit or play clothes when school isn't happeneing.. I wouldn't suggest any offensive clothes but I doubt you will be dressnig your kid in this anyway. I believe that the schools are similar to private schools but I have heard the education for base schools can be very good. No, they are not required to salute anyone, nor is a military wife or husband. They hang out with any other kids, and yes you can hang out with kids that aren't in the same "class" as far as their dad's ranking.  

Answer 4

Officers and enlisted quarters are in differant areas of post so they do not play togther unless they meet up at like the rec centers. Most kids go to FRG functions with their parents. You only salute if you are in uniform and are a soldier, Soldier's units run on military time, I have never been in an officers house, so I can;t say if it is differant. I was in two dofferant enlisted housing units and one was better then the other, The men of these children usually run the house military style, I am afraid to say so, that is all the dad's know, the dad is the NCO the mom is the subordiant and the kids are the PLT. I knew one Dad that had a room inspection once, thank god he finally stopped that.

During 911, soldiers complained because officers housing was the only place being protected-but it was also near an entrance and easy to be attacked, also when I did guard duty once a wife of an officer expected me to salute her (because her husband was an officer), I just laughed, whatever, she was mad.

Answer 5

well most children just play with the neighbor kids same as in the normal world....ok kids do nothing that the service member is required to do...im stationed here at ft bliss,tx....its sad that a d**n married butter bar (second LT) can get one of the brand new officers houses....and SGM housing is also brand new....yet i being lower enlisted are only entilted to a house built before vietnam that was condemed and was scheduled to be tore down...but yea $804 a month for this peice of ****!!!

Answer 6

your kids have nothing to do with the military...they are allowed to be friends with officer children.....we lived overseas my son went to school..it was a normal life for him....as a spouse you dont salute anyone..you call people sir and ma'am out of respect....houses are normally the same usually in a different place...they dont usually stick officers in with enlisted...girls and boys are treated the same...military time was used at the golf course...everywhere else we used normal time i think the bx may have had the hours posted in military time..you learn it ...its useful knowledge and not that hard ...