The Invisible Nation- Third Culture BRATs

Lauren Bachand- Military Families

"I was always out of sync with whatever was going on, with the culture, with the lessons, totally at odd with what should have been my peers, but they never felt like my peers." - Michelle Green

               Military BRATs -a term that is thought to have originated during the first British Empire to stand for "British Regiment Attached Traveler" (Clifton)- make up an estimate 5 percent of the American population ("BRATs Tell Their Story"http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123173834 ). They are known for their constant moves and are normally considered well-mannered children. But, there is more that comes out of being a child of the military. They are considered the modern day nomad, and fall into a new found category called Third Culture Kids. A Third Culture Kid (TCK) is defined as a, "person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents' culture. The third culture kid builds relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the third culture kid's life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of the same background." (Pollock & van Reken, 2001, p. 19)

"A lot of people ask me, 'you're Japanese American, why don't you embrace that culture and stuff like that?' I grew up with so many different culture, my friends being of so many different backgrounds, I've never felt an affinity to embrace one particular culture or not. With the exception of the military culture. I felt an affinity towards that." - Dan Rockholt

             Most BRATs feel underappreciated or forgotten for their service and commitments to their country, most giving up not only their parents, but also friends and most importantly their homes. It is estimated that by the time a BRAT is 18 they will have done an average of 10 moves and have attended an average of 10-16 different schools (www.bratsourjourneyhome.com).  A typical Department of Defense school can experience up to 50% turnover every year. For every high school graduating class, only 25% of the original students remain, while the other 75% move on to a new school. Social groups that existed the previous year diminish, and new groups are formed. As a result BRATs learn to adapt quickly to fit into this ever-changing environment, and children are more likely to reach out to a new student, because they know what it is like to be the new student (BRATs:Our Journey Home). As a result of the high turnover rate many BRATs are denied the ability to “return home” because the community that existed two years ago will be gone. It is no wonder then, why the most dreaded question BRATs face is “Where are you from?” Most have no idea how to answer this since most have never stayed in one spot for more than three years.

"That was normal. What would be odd would be to live in the same small town for eighteen years before you go to college. That would be strange." - Olga Ramos

       This feeling of home never truly being a stationary or physical place is one of the most prominent feelings expressed by children who identify as, Third Culture. Along with this feeling of no physical home, many Third Culture children also express never fitting in culturally. For most Third Culture children, many never experience or grow up in their parents’ culture. For BRATs, however, this can include: never growing up in their parents’ culture due to physically moving, but also growing up in the Military culture. When reintegrated back into the civilian society most BRATs feel isolated from their peers. There is a lack of connection or cultural understanding (BRATs: Our Journey Home).

“The military is not just an organization. It is a culture, a lifestyle.”

          Many people do not seem to consider the Military as a cultural all its own, but for any BRAT who has lived on a Military Base it is obvious that they deviate from the civilian norms. The bases are self-run towns with roughly 10,000 or more people. “They are self-contained worlds where military culture is primary and civilian culture is secondary” (Wertsch, Military Brats: Legacies of Childhood Inside the Fortress). They have their own stores and rules. Discipline for children is strict since it is not the child’s reputation on the line, but the sponsor (parent in the military). Any misbehavior or run in with the law by the child can immediately affect the parent, and sometimes even results in a Dishonorable Discharge  (getting kicked out of the military). Militarily values and Patriotism runs deep in many BRATs, and at a young age most know the mottos of their parent’s branch of service. In addition to the service motto, most can quote LDRSHIP (which stands for Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage) or the ever famous “Duty, Honor, Country”.  

     Most BRATs grow up understanding the ins and outs of rank. While a rank system exists, there is a no tolerance level for racism. Many BRATs grow up with this value almost beaten in to them. In fact, BRATs were some of the most accepting students of minorities during Integration. While racism may still exist on an individual basis, children are taught that personal views and opinions are to be disregarded, and that those around you are your fellow comrades and therefore must be treated as such. In BRATs: Our Journey Home Peter Grammer states, " I feel like when people from different backgrounds and races have to live and work together on a daily basis to where they really get to know each other, they really understand that one group is not any less capable than another group and some of those prejudices start to, start to disappear."  To many BRATs the connection and understandings of being a "dependent" transcends any racial or cultural differences.

"You were blue or you were green or you were khaki, and you were American." - Valerie Anderson

While many BRATs face struggles and sacrifices, few feel like they get the proper recognition they deserve. Few schools and teachers know how to address issues that many BRATs face. Civilians tend to be unaware of the cultural differences that exist between them and those who grow up in the military. While the service men and women (and ocassionally spouses) are publicly thanked and appreciated for their service, most BRATs feel like they have been left out. In BRATs: Our Journey Home, Kris Kristofferson mentions that the BRATs are an invisible nation.  For hundreds of years they have followed their parents all over the world, they have lost their parents, and they sacrificed many friends and homes. When they come back stateside few feel welcomed. To many the military is “home”, but once that is taken away from them because of a death or retirement, most have no idea where to go. Many will find themselves enlisting themselves; others will never settle down and move around for the rest of their lives. This is the culture they have grown up with. This is the culture that will shape them for the rest of their lives. This is normally the only culture they know, and almost no one else is aware that it is a culture. 

 “Military personnel are given recognition, medals, and retirement compensation for serving their country. On patriotic holidays, flags are flown and honor bestowed on them. Occasionally, spouses are recognized, but the children are rarely mentioned. As I reflect on my life as a brat, a life for which I never volunteered, I feel a gamut of emotions from pride to resentment. The closest thing to a hometown I will ever have is a Navy base, on which I am no longer welcomed, except as a visitor. Even when I visit, no one will be there to "ooh" and "aah" over me, or say , "You haven't changed a bit!" I won't know anyone at the base and they won't know me.

They often say, 'you can never go home again.' If you're a military brat, you surely cannot."

-- Gail Dunagan Morrison

                                                             Sources                                                            

Clifton, Grace (2004). "Making the Case for the BRAT (British Regiment Attached Traveler)". British Educational Research Journal  

Ender, Morton, "Military Brats and Other Global Nomads", March 2002, Greenwood Publishing Group

Kidd, Julie and Linda Lankenau (Undated) "Third Culture Kids: Returning to their Passport Country." US Department of State. Retrieved on December 3, 2006. 

Musil, Donna; Goodwin, Beth; Kristofferson, Kris. Brats: Our Journey Home. Brats Without Borders, 2006 

  

Wertsch, Mary Edwards (April 23, 1991). Military Brats: Legacies of Childhood Inside the Fortress    (1st hardcover edition ed.). Harmony. pp. 385–386