Text 15454, 586 rader
Skriven 2007-05-15 19:25:02 av RUTH HANSCHKA (1:123/140)
     Kommentar till en text av CAROL SHENKENBERGER
Ärende: Re: Military brats
==========================
This is most of it
-> 
-> JW> I saw an interesting article at:
-> 
-> JW> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_brat_%28U.S._subculture%29
-> 
-> JW> and wondered if you thought it was accurate or not.
-> 
-> Dunno, cant cut and paste from the DOS box to the WINbox with internet
access.
-> 
-> What was interesting about the article?

A "military brat" (also known as a "brat", "base brat", "army brat", "navy
brat/junior", "marine brat/junior", or "air force brat") is a term for a
person whose parent or parents have served full-time in the armed forces
during the person's childhood. In conventional usage, the word "brat" used
alone may be derogatory; in a military context, however, it is neither a
subjective nor a judgmental term for most,[1] and it is a term in which
many in the military community are comfortable with.[2] In the United
Kingdom, the term "pad brat" is also used.[3]

Although the term "military brat" is used in other English-speaking
countries, only the United States has studied its military brats as an
identifiable demographic.[4] This group is shaped by frequent moves,
absence of a parent, authoritarian family dynamics, strong patriarchal
authority, the threat of parental loss in war, and the militarization of
the family unit.[5] While non-military families share many of these same
attributes, military culture is unique due to the tightly knit communities
that perceive these traits as normal. Although they did not choose to
belong to it, military culture can have a long-term impact on brats.[6]

As adults, military brats can share many of the same positive and negative
traits developed from their mobile childhoods. Having had the opportunity
to live around the world, military brats can have a breadth of experiences
unmatched by most teenagers. Regardless of race, religion, nationality, or
gender, brats might identify more with other highly mobile children than
with non-mobile ones.[7] A few can struggle to develop and maintain deep,
lasting relationships, and can feel like outsiders to U.S. civilian
culture, but most assimilate quickly and well as they have to do so with
each move.[8]

Contents [hide]
1 Research 
1.1 Linguistic reclamation 
2 Military culture 
2.1 Values and patriotism 
2.2 Discipline 
2.3 Military classism 
2.4 Anti-racism 
3 Growing up military 
3.1 Friendships 
3.2 School life 
3.3 Abuse and alcoholism 
4 Current brats 
4.1 War in the 21st century 
4.2 "Suddenly military" brats 
4.3 Death in combat 
5 Reunited and reaching out 
6 See also 
7 Notes 
8 References 
9 External links 
 


[edit] Research
 
Family days and other events are occasionally held in the military to unite
the community in a common mission.In the 1970s sociologist Ruth Hill Useem
coined the term Third Culture Kids (TCKs) for a child who follows his
parents "into another culture."[9] Useem used the term "Third Culture Kids"
because TCKs integrate aspects of their birth culture (the first culture)
and the new culture (the second culture), creating a unique "third
culture." Globally military brats comprise about 30% of all TCKs,[10] but
they are almost exclusively from the U.S.[11]

Systematic research on military brats began in the 1980s. Responding to
social and psychological issues observed in military families and
communities, the U.S. Armed Forces sponsored research on the long-term
impact of growing up as a military brat.[12] Outside of the U.S. there is
no significant literature on the effects of growing up as a military
dependent.[4] Since the Department of Defense does not track or monitor
former brats, any study on adult brats is based upon self identification.
Thus, even though the studies are performed using scientific sampling
methods; they may contain bias because of the difficulty in conducting
epidemiological studies across broad-based population samples. Some
researchers used referrals, internet, and newspaper articles to identify
military brats.[13]

In 1991, Mary Edwards Wertsch "launched the movement for military brat
cultural identity" with her book Military Brats: Legacies of Childhood
Inside the Fortress.[14] In researching her book, Wertsch identified common
themes from interviews of over 80 military brats. While this book does not
purport to be a scientific study, subsequent research has validated many of
her findings. Patrick Conroy, the author of The Prince of Tides and The
Great Santini, said, "Her book speaks in a language that is clear and
stinging and instantly recognizable to me [as a brat], yet it's a language
I was not even aware I spoke. She isolates the military brats of America as
a new indigenous subculture with our own customs, rites of passage, forms
of communication, and folkways.... With this book, Mary [Wertsch]
astonished me and introduced me to a secret family I did not know I
had."[15]


[edit] Linguistic reclamation
Linguistic reclamation is the appropriation of a pejorative epithet by its
target, to turn an insult into a positive term and deny others the ability to
define it;[16] non-military personnel may find the term “bratö insulting if
they do not understand the context. Sociologist Karen Williams used it
reluctantly in her research, with the disclaimer, “to follow the wishes of the
participants. It is a term that they use and feel comfortable with.ö[17]

Military culture has reclaimed the term to make it their own. Admiral
Dennis Blair, Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command said, "There’s a
standard term for the military child: 'Brat.' While it sounds pejorative,
it’s actually a term of great affection."[18] Senator Ben Nelson, a member
of the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services, wrote "when the
word 'brat' is used to describe someone it is not meant as a compliment,
but when it is preceded by another word and becomes “military bratö it
becomes a term of endearment."[19] Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter said, "I
married what is affectionately known as an Army brat."[20]

Senator John Cornyn identifies himself as military brat, and also
identified Justice Janice Brown as one, during her confirmation hearing
before the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary.[21] Military
culture has created numerous positive backronyms (acronyms backed into
existing words) for brat, such as "Born Rough And Tough" or "Brave,
Resilient, Adaptable, and Trustworthy." While some may not like the origins
of the term, most are comfortable with it.[2] Military brat and author
Michelle Ferguson-Cohen titled her children's books series Books for Brats.
As the first commercially published books for military brats,
Ferguson-Cohen intentionally hoped to use the series name to help brand the
term "brat" as synonymous with pride in civilian stores and classrooms.

The term is now used by researchers and academians as well; it is no longer
merely a slang term, but a studied segment of U.S. culture. "Most of the
professional research on growing up in military families has contributed to
the perpetuation of the 'brat' label," sociologist Morton Ender wrote, "It
is no wonder that the label endures and is as popular as ever."[22]


[edit] Military culture
 
These three military brats show patriotism as they await the arrival of
their military parent from Iraq.Military brats may not develop strong
relations with people or places, but can form strong connections with the
notion of a military base and the communities in which they find
themselves.[23] This is because the knowledge, experience, values, ideas,
attitudes, skills, tastes, and techniques that are associated with the
military can sometimes differ from civilian culture.[24] Military bases are
miniature, self-contained, government-subsidized towns that promote
conformity.[25] Military families shop at some of the same stores, whose
discounted merchandise is regulated to prevent unfair competition, so they
can often end up with the same clothes and products.[26] Male brats were,
at one time, likely to get the same “military haircutö at the base
barbershop, but this has changed over time. To a child growing up on a
military base, in a homogeneous culture, the individuality of civilian life
was once thought to be completely foreign. However, as military brats
attend civilian schools near base and socialize with their peers, this
perceived difference has waned.[2]


[edit] Values and patriotism
The comfort that can be found on military bases is not limited to the
physical trappings, but can be fortified via some of the consistent rituals
common to them. When moving around the world, these rituals can help brats
feel at home in their new community. Even though the faces and geography
change, the "base" can remain recognizable because the rituals are often
uniform. The underlying principle of these rituals is consistent: to
promote patriotism.[27]

It has been claimed by Samuel Britten on the basis of anecdotal evidence
that life on military bases is associated with comparatively greater
patriotic sentiments.[28] For example, in the United States, honoring the
American Flag is expected. At the end of the business day the bugle call
"Retreat" is played while the flag is lowered.[29] Anybody outside, even if
participating in sports or driving a car, is expected to stop their
activity and stand at attention.[30] Uniformed personnel salute and
non-uniformed people place their hand over their heart.

 
The return of a parent from deployment is often a cause of celebration and
anticipation.The Pledge of Allegiance is recited every morning and
patriotic and militaristic songs may be sung at Department of Defense
Dependents Schools (DoDDS) overseas and Department of Defense Domestic
Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS) within the United
States. Patriotic ideals often form the basis for church sermons.
Protestant and Catholic worship services may include militaristic
hymns.[31] Prior to movies at base theaters, patrons and staff stand for
the National Anthem and often another patriotic song, such as "God Bless
the USA."[32]

The military family knows that the service person may be killed in the line
of duty, but accept that risk because they are taught that the military
mission is worth dying for. The mission is one in which the brat shares by
extension through his military parent.[33]

Military law requires commanding officers and those in authority to
demonstrate virtue, honor, patriotism, and subordination in all that they
do.[34] In the 1990s, the army officially adopted what have come to be
known as "The 7 Army Values," which are summarized with the acronym
"LDRSHIP." LDRSHIP stands for Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor,
Integrity, and Personal Courage. While this acronym is relatively new, the
ideas it represents have been at the heart of military service for generations.
Similarly, the motto "Duty, honor, country" is the standard of U.S.
military.[35] Military brats are raised in a culture that stresses LDRSHIP,
Duty, Honor, Country, and being a "lady" or "gentleman." Their strict (outward)
adherence to military values is what separates military brats most from their
civilian peers. Children of military personnel often mirror the values, ideals,
and attitudes of their parents more than children of civilians.[36] Marine
General Peter Pace, the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff said "There's no
way, in my mind, that you can be successful in the military and have a family
unless that family does, in fact, appreciate your service to the country.[...]
[Brats are] patriots and role models for us all."[37] Third Culture Kids often
participate in protest or anti-war activities; military brats, however, are
generally under-represented.[38]


[edit] Discipline
 
Various organizations provide services for military families, not only day
care, but counseling and emergency financial assistance.In 1989, the
stereotypical military family might have had a "duty roster" on the
refrigerator, parent-conducted room inspections, and children who say "yes
sir/ma'am" to adults.[39] In 1989, eighty percent of brats describe their
father as "authoritarian" or desiring to exercise complete control over
their lives.[40] They described their military parent as rigid in
discipline, inflexible, intolerant of dissent, disapproving of
non-conforming behavior, and not accepting of personal privacy.[41]

Disciplinary expectations extend beyond the military family. Family members
know that their actions and behavior can have a direct impact on the
military service member's career.[42] The consequences of misbehavior for a
military brat are generally greater than for civilian children. A military
person’s career and social identity can be dashed in seconds by a willful
or careless child.[43] For example, when a military brat gets in trouble,
the authorities may call the parent's Commanding Officer or the Base
Commander before, or instead of, calling the brat's parents.[44] If the
Commanding Officer or Base Commander is contacted, the brat's behavior may
become a part of the military member's record, and adversely affect his or
her ability to be promoted or get prime duty assignments.[45]

Research into military brats has consistently shown them to be better
behaved than their civilian counterparts.[36] Sociologist Phoebe Price
posed three possible hypotheses as to why brats are better behaved:
firstly, military parents have a lower threshold for misbehavior in their
children; secondly, the mobility of teenagers might make them less likely
to attract attention to themselves, as they want to fit in and are less
secure with their surroundings; and thirdly, normative constraints are
greater, with brats knowing that their behavior is under scrutiny and can
affect the military member’s career.[46]

Teenage years are typically a period when people establish independence by
taking some risks away from their parents. When the teenager lives in a
"fish-bowl community," a small self-contained community such as a base,
challenging boundaries may be more difficult. Brats know that misbehavior
or rebellious activity will be reported to their parents.[47] Brats are
sometimes under constant pressure to conform to what military culture
expects; this means they are sometimes seen as being more mature in their
youth than their peers. If they grow up overseas or on military bases, they
might have limited opportunities to see a wide range of role models in
different professions.[48]

Strict discipline can have the opposite effect: brats may rebel or behave
in adolescent manners well beyond what is normally considered
acceptable.[49] Others develop psychological problems due to the intense
stress of always being on their best behavior.[43] A Cold War era military
psychologist, publishing in the American Journal of Psychology, reviewed
the parents of patients who came to his clinic, and concluded that 93% of
patients came from military families that were overly authoritarian.[50]


[edit] Military classism
Military life is strictly segregated by rank;[51] the facilities provided
for officers and enlisted personnel differ dramatically. The officers'
housing will generally be more accessible to base activities, larger in
size, and better landscaped. On larger bases, the officers' housing may be
broken down into different categories, with senior officers receiving
larger and more opulent housing; sometimes, the highest-ranking officers
live on a row of large houses often referred to as "Colonels'/Captain's
Row" or "Generals'/Admiral's Row," as the case may be.

 
Seoul American High School's Army JROTC Honor Guard presents the U.S. and
Republic of Korea colors at the 2006 Asian region JROTC Drill Team
competition.The Officer Clubs are more elegant than the Enlisted Clubs.
Officers have cleaner, more elaborate recreational facilities than their
enlisted counterparts. Historically, base chapels and movie theaters would
have designated seating for officers and their families. For a part of the
twentieth century, some bases had two Boy Scout and two Girl Scout troops —
one for officer children and one for enlisted children.[52]

These differences are not merely external, but a core aspect of military
life.[52] Children of enlisted personnel often believe that children of
officers receive specialized treatment because non-officers are afraid to
upset the officer.[53] The children socialize with others of the same type;
even if an officer brat and an enlisted brat become friends at school, this
friendship rarely carries over to the home life. The physical separation
and differences between available activities make it very difficult.[54]

The separation by rank has the intended purpose of maintaining military
discipline among service members. According to the U.S. Code of Military
Justice, it can be illegal for an officer to fraternize with an enlisted
person because it would corrode the military hierarchy. This is often
conveyed to the children of military personnel. Brats whose parents have a
subordinate-supervisory relationship can cause problems for both their
parents.[55]

To a lesser degree, military classism also includes the branch of service
to which the military parent belongs. If asked to name "the best branch of
service," military brats will almost invariably name the one to which their
parent belonged. They will be able to articulate many reasons why "their"
branch of the service is the best. These biases are maintained well past
the time they cease to be military dependents. When brats grow up, these
boundaries are replaced by a shared identity based upon that of being a
military brat.[56]


[edit] Anti-racism
In 1948, President Truman signed Executive Order 9981 integrating the
military and mandating equality of treatment and opportunity. It made it
illegal, per military law, to make a racist remark.[57] Fifteen years
later, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara issued Department of Defense
Directive 5120.36. "Every military commander," the Directive mandates, "has
the responsibility to oppose discriminatory practices affecting his men and
their dependents and to foster equal opportunity for them, not only in
areas under his immediate control, but also in nearby communities where
they may gather in off-duty hours.ö[58] The directive was issued in 1963,
but it was not until 1967 that the first non-military installation was
declared off-limits to military personnel due to its discriminatory
practices[59]

With strict guidelines based upon the rank of the military member and the
prohibitions against racism, the issue of race diminishes among military
brats. When families go overseas, minority students rarely experience overt
racism from their expatriate neighbors.[60] This is also true on military
bases within the U.S.; as the community is isolated and smaller than the
off-base community, military dependents are less likely to resort to racist
notions. The military community is normally a stronger bond than the
differences of race. Military brats grow up in communities that actively
condemn racist comments. This results in, according to Wertsch, brats who
"aren't just non-racist, but anti-racist."[2]



[edit] Growing up military
 
The Internet has enabled soldiers to connect with their families while
deployed and to share in family events such as childbirth from hundreds of
miles away.Sociologist Morton Ender conducted the largest scientific study
to date exclusively on career military brats (those who were brats from
birth through high school.) He interviewed and sent questionnaires to over
600 brats who belonged to various brat organizations and responded to his
newspaper and internet ads. His study revealed that 97% lived in at least
one foreign country, 63% in two, 31% in 3. They averaged 8 moves before
graduating from high school and spent an average of 7 years in foreign
countries. Over 80% now speak at least one language other than English and
14% speak three or more.[61] Ann Cottrell's work with Third Culture Kids,
however, shows slightly lower results, but her results did not specify
career brats.[62] Sociologist Henry Watanabe showed that military and
civilian teenagers share the same concerns and desires, but that growing up
in a mobile community offers opportunities and experiences generally
unavailable to geographically stable families.[36]


[edit] Friendships
 
Military dependents take a walk in the park on Charleston Air Force Base,
S.C., Dec. 17, 2006.Because military brats are constantly making new
friends to replace the ones that they have lost,[63] military brats are
often more outgoing and independent.[64] According to the largest study
conducted on nearly 700 TCKs, eighty percent claim that they can relate to
anyone, regardless of differences such as race, ethnicity, religion, or
nationality.[38]

A typical military school can experience up to 50% turnover every year (25%
graduate while a third of the remaining 75% of students move); social
groups that existed one year cease to exist as new groups emerge. The brat
learns to adapt quickly to fit into this ever changing environment. Highly
mobile children are more likely to reach out to a new student because they
know what it is like to be the new student. Also, an interesting trend in
many DoDDs schools is the "thinning" of the upper-classmen population. This
is not due to "dropping out", (common in civilian secondary schools), but
because their military sponsors retire from the military. At this point the
student usually enrolls in a public school.[65]

However, brats typically have difficulty making friends with civilian
children. Not only have civilians lived together for years developing tight
cliques, but brats may find it hard to relate to their non-mobile peers.
Children who have made numerous moves during their childhood find they have
more in common with other mobile children than they do with people who have
not moved. This is particularly true for brats who have spent time
overseas. Having seen places and experienced things that most U.S. citizens
do not, brats are eager to share their experiences with others. But highly
mobile teens can become frustrated with the lack of knowledge demonstrated
by geographically stable families. Knowing (or at least believing) that
they have a better understanding of world geography and politics many brats
feel superior to their less well-traveled peers.[66] This "world-view" is
often beneficial later in life: exclusivity based on association usually
wanes as people move into college or working careers. In these venues, the
advantage afforded by "popularity" tends to diminish.

Recent studies show that, although brats move on average every 3 years,
they do not grow accustomed to moving.[67] The constantly changing
environment and openness to others has a price. Military brats may look
like they are making friends, but the friendships are at a superficial
level, lacking the depth often found in civilian communities.[68] Since
military families move every 2–3 years brats tend to make friends quicker,
but are ready to discard them.[37] Rather than develop problem-solving
skills, there is a temptation to simply leave a problem without resolving
it.[69] If a person does not like somebody or gets into a fight, they know
that in a few years somebody will move and the problem will disappear.
Thus, brats struggle their entire lives developing close lasting
friendships. On the other hand, when brats marry it is generally for life;
over two thirds of brats over 40 are married to their first spouse.[61]


[edit] School life
Moving during the summer months can be challenging.[70] Courses students
took at their old schools may not fulfill the graduation requirements at
their new school.[71] Moving during the winter holidays or mid-year,
however, has traditionally been viewed as the worst time to move.[72] The
student is forced to join classes that have already begun. Social groups
become even more difficult to break into and activities that the student
enjoyed may be barred to him or her. For example, an athlete may not be
able to join his or her sport because they missed tryouts and the season
had already begun. A student who excelled at their old DoDDS or DDESS
school suddenly feels inadequate at the larger school.[73] Recent studies,
however, show that mobility during the school year may be less traumatic
than summer time moves.[74]

DoDDS schools overseas and DDESS schools in the United States tend to be
smaller than many public schools. Students and teachers often interact in a
more social manner with one another. When returning to civilian schools,
the lack of camaraderie with the faculty can be an unexpected obstacle for
many highly mobile families.[75]

Military brats have lower delinquency rates, higher achievement scores on
standardized tests, and higher median IQ than their civilian
counterparts.[76] They are more likely to have a college degree (60% v 24%)
and possess an advanced degree (29.1% v 5%).[76] While these rates are
higher than the general U.S. population, they are lower than those of
non-brat Third Culture Kids (84–90% college degree and 40% graduate
degree).[61]


[edit] Abuse and alcoholism
Two of the common themes in Wertsch's book are abuse and alcoholism. These
are echoed in other literature of the Cold War, such as Pat Conroy's The
Great Santini. In the 1980s and 1990s the U.S. military focused on the
issues of abuse and alcoholism. The impact on the military's efforts
remains inconclusive. Some studies report higher rates of abuse in military
families, while others report lower rates.[77]

The studies that conclude abuse is a bigger problem in military families
than civilian families attribute this to the long hours, frequent
disruptions in lifestyles, and high degree of stress. They point out that
military families may be more reluctant to report issues of abuse because
of the potential impact on the service member's career. Other studies,
however, argue that military families have a smaller problem than civilian
families because military culture offers more accessible help for victims
of abuse. Military families have health care, housing, and family support
programs often unavailable to lower income civilian families. Abusive
family members are more likely to be ordered (by their Commanding Officer
or Base Commander) to obtain treatment, thus reducing reoccurrences of
abuse.[77]


[edit] Current brats
 
Military members may be absent during important events, such as the birth
of a child.Most of the research into military brats has been conducted on
the long term effects on adults who grew up during the Cold War. As the
Cold War came to an end, the role of the United States Armed Forces
changed. The U.S. military realized that there was distinct correlation
between the quality of life and retention and operational effectiveness. To
this end, the military started to change the living standards that most
Cold War brats grew up with. The demographics of the military changed. The
modern military has a larger proportion of married military members. Since
base housing is designed for fewer families, more families are forced to
live off-base. Military personnel are being supplemented by more civilians
filling essential roles. And the introduction of the large megabases that
intermesh different service branches and their individual cultures has also
affected the demographics.[78] Finally, during the Post Cold War period,
the United States has been involved in three extended military engagements
(two in Iraq and one in Afghanistan). The long term effects of these
changes are unknown, but research has been conducted on short term effects
on Post-Cold War Era brats.


[edit] War in the 21st century
 
Winning drawing entitled, "Why I'm proud to be a part of the military
family" during "Operation Enduring Families."Today's military brat faces
challenges that Vietnam War Era brats did not have to face. For example, it
is estimated that approximately 50,000 military families have both parents
serving in the armed forces; this creates the possibility that both parents
may be deployed at the same time.[79] Another significant difference is the
speed of communication. With the advent of the internet it is possible for
family members to communicate with servicemen in combat zones. This allows
brats to remain in closer contact with their military parent, but it also
increases tension as more details reach the military families.
Round-the-clock news agencies, such as CNN and Fox News, spread news faster
than the military bureaucracy can process the details. This means that
military families know that servicemen have died before official word
reaches the family. Military Psychiatrist Colonel Stephen Cozza says that a
"sense of fear" accompanies news of the death of a service member until
confirmation that the service member was not a loved one.[80]

Despite these facts, studies show only a slight increase in stressors among
military brats whose parents serve in a combat zone. Boys and younger
children do show the most risk when a parent is deployed, but rarely does
this require clinical intervention. However, studies show that when a
military member is deployed to a combat zone, the family cohesion is more
disrupted than when service members are deployed to non-combat zones.[81]

Military members can be deployed for days, months, or even years without
their family. When a parent is stationed without his family, the children
experience the same emotions as children of divorced parents.[82] In
addition to the effects of the divorce, military brats have additional
concerns. When a military member is sent away, the family does not always
know where they are going or when (or if) the service member will
return.[83] Studies show that there are three phases to deployment and each
phase has different impacts on the family. Military spouses reported the
following when their spouse was deployed:

Predeployment — Marital stress/conflict, distancing from spouse, anger,
resentment, sadness/depression, negative child behavior. 
Deployment — Marital problems, isolation, loneliness, anger, resentment,
sadness/depression, reduced communications, stress, less social support,
assuming the role of single parent, child care difficulties, sleep
disturbances, physical symptoms, home and car repairs, difficulty accessing
military services, negative child behavior. 
Postdeployment/Reunion — Redefining responsibilities, marital stress,
communication problems, anxiety, anger, resentment, parent-child attachment
issues[84] 
While separation produces stress, according to the US military it
strengthens the children by forcing them to take on additional
responsibilities when a parent is absent, encouraging independence.[85]


[edit] "Suddenly military" brats
 
Military families grieve the death of a soldier in the line of duty.With
the increased demands on the U.S. military, reservists have been called to
active duty. The children of these reservists, who are suddenly called to
extended active duty, are technically military brats, but they may not
identify with or share the characteristics of typical brats. In an effort
to help integrate "suddenly military" brats, Operation: Military Kids came
into existence. Operation: Military Kids is a program designed to help
"suddenly military" children understand the military culture to which they
now belong. "Suddenly military" families face challenges not faced by
traditional military families. National Guard families are not as familiar
with military culture. They are physically separated from other military
families, and are rarely as emotionally prepared for active duty
deployment.[86] Both the formal and informal support structures available
for the regular military families are not as readily available to reservist
families.[79] Operation: Military Kids teaches "suddenly military" brats
about military culture and expectations.[24]


[edit] Death in combat
The effect of having a parent killed during military operations has not
been specifically studied.[80] Studies on children who have lost a parent
show that 10–15% experience depression and a few develop childhood
traumatic grief (the inability to recall any positive memories of the
deceased parent).[87] Military psychiatrist Stephen Cozza speculates, based
upon his experience, that the long term effects of having a parent killed
during war would be more traumatic and difficult to deal with than typical
causes of parental death.[80]


[edit] Reunited and reaching out
As adults, brats sometimes try to reunite with their brat heritage.[88]

A recent study, “Military Brats: Issues and Associations in Adulthood,"
identified several reasons why some military brats, as adults, seek out
brat organizations. Brats can feel a "sense of euphoria" when they discover
that other brats share the same feelings and emotions. According to the
study, brats share a bond with one another through common experiences that
transcends race, religion, and nationality. Another common theme behind
their joining brat organizations is to stay connected or reconnect with
their old friends.[89]
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