B.R.A.T. Day: Honoring Our Nation’s Military Children

Each year on April 30, we are honored to celebrate our Nation’s military children! Over 1.2 Billion military children serve behind their Active Duty, National Guard, or Reserve parent(s). At Poor Bear Stories, not only do we honor these children, but we also represent these children.

Creative Director and Owner, Jacob Centeno; Senior Editor, Robert Chase; Assistant Editor, Madeline Muralles; and Communications Manager and Engagement Specialist, Gracie Burgess are all proud military children. 

Military B.R.A.T. is not what you may think the word means, B.R.A.T. is not meant in a negative content, but in a positive one to encourage military children.

B stands for Brave. From such a young age, military children practice bravery. It is often scary knowing you may experience the tragic aspects of military life, however the braver of military children is unmatched. Each day they put on a brave face no matter what they may be going through at home.

R stands for Resilient. Even alongside the not-so-fun aspects of military life, military children roll with the punches despite the challenges they may be facing. Some aspects of military life may be challenging, such as moving away from close friends. However, military children become creative with ways to overcome these challenges.

A stands for Adaptable. Moving with their military family every two to three years (the average time an Active Duty family is in one location), they leave behind an environment that they learned to call a temporary home. This also often means moving schools and adapting to new environments.

T stands for Tough! This is the life of military children. They are encouraged to reflect toughness throughout the situations they are put in – even the ones that they may not like so much. During this life, military children often learn many lessons and cultivate relationships that last a lifetime.

Although these are only four terms to describe military children, there are hundreds of other words that perfectly describe military children such as creative, travelers, friends, and leaders. 

Today, April 30, we celebrate military children around the world. Thank you for your service alongside your parent’s. Remember, you are appreciated more than you know, and are part of this military force that is making a difference in the world!