I didn’t spend 24.5 years in the Army or serve two tours in Vietnam. I don’t have a top secret security clearance and I didn’t retire as a Lieutenant Colonel. My dad did all that. I just went along for the ride.
I was born in Fort Polk, LA and soon moved to California and overseas to Indonesia. My family also lived in Texas, Kansas, a few different places in Georgia, California, Massachusetts and now, Virginia. While my father’s Army career led into a successful second job as a defense contractor for him, it also helped me land a few gigs myself.
Being a military brat usually came up when I found a kindred spirit, someone who had lived the same life as me. It is always fun to talk about how many places I have lived and what a great experience being a military family was for me, and hearing about that from someone else. It wasn’t until I was filling out a job application for a major newspaper that I thought I would list my “military service” as part of my experience. While technically I know I wasn’t a member of the Armed Forces, I did serve my country in supporting my father. So, I listed it.
I listed the things being a military brat instilled in me: respect authority, be on time, don’t disrespect others and promote teamwork for the greater good. I finished up the application with a statement about honor, “With it, nothing else matters. Without it, nothing else matters.”
I have to say I was impressed with my innovation and creativity and thought the company would either love it or hate it. At the very least, someone would probably notice it. I got a call a few days later to come in for an interview. I was so excited to see if the group brought up my “military experience.”
My excitement was short-lived because almost immediately, the group let me know they thought my answers were “cute” but didn’t really count as experience. While I wasn’t trying to pass off my childhood as work experience, I did – and still do – think it plays a valuable part in who I am today.
Even though I didn’t get that job, that interview taught me a lot. I was able to find the confidence I needed to express myself and the inner knowledge of why I’m proud to be a military brat. Ever since that interview, my “military experience” is now one of the first things I tell people. In fact, it helped me land several jobs. The more I tell people about the good and hard times my family went through, the more potential employers, future business contacts and coworkers understand the kaleidoscope of experience that makes me – me.
Staci Dennis is a freelance writer and blogger for Nexxt. She uses her job skills and life experience to formulate unique and clever blogs and stories. Looking for direction and stability in your future? The Armed Services are a great place to start. Check out
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