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Spotlight

Celebrating Military-Connected Children, Youth and Teens

a
The Defense Department celebrates military children during the month of April. There are more than 1.6 million military children who face many challenges and unique experiences as a result of their parents' service.
b
While military members serve around the world, we often forget the challenges faced by their children. Military families move on average every two to three years, impacting military children through changing schools and support networks.
c
Each year, the DOD joins national, state and local government, schools, military serving organizations, companies and private citizens in celebrating military children and the sacrifices they make.

Stories

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Mother and daughter hugging

Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Children of active duty, National Guard and reserve families may be eligible for free membership to their local Boys & Girls Club.

More info
Three children holding drawings

4-H Military Partnerships

Opportunities for youth to join 4-H clubs in their communities and participate in summer camps.

More info
Smiling woman and child with muppet

Sesame Street for Military Families

Education and activities for preschool aged children to help them cope with the challenges of military life.

More info

Photos

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By The Numbers

1.6 Million Military Children

964,485 Active Duty
Military Children

  • 0-5 yrs: 399,176
  • 6-11 yrs: 312,460
  • 12-18 yrs: 214,049
  • 19-22 yrs: 38,800

656,988 Reserve
Military Children

  • 0-5 yrs: 204,405
  • 6-11 yrs: 211,136
  • 12-18 yrs: 177,166
  • 19-22 yrs: 64,281

Source: 2020 Demographics Report

Watch: Videos

Children from the Aviano Elementary School spoke about their experiences with being a military child at Aviano Air Base, Italy, April 22, 2022. April is designated as the Month of the Military Child across the Department of Defense and was created to highlight the roles that children play in the Armed Forces community. (U.S. Air Force video by Senior Airman Elijah M. Dority) Play
From a Military Child, to a Military Child
0:50
From a Military Child, to a Military Child
Of Course I'm a Military Child social media video to celebrate Month of the Military Child at U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria. Special thank you to Vilseck High School students. Play
Of Course I'm a Military Child!
1:38
Of Course I'm a Military Child!
April is the Month of the Military Child! Check your local listings for celebrations and events. Pick up a Military Brat Patch, free from your Exchange, while supplies last. For details visit ShopMyExchange.com/MOMC Play
Month of the Military Child 2024
1:00
Month of the Military Child 2024
April is the Month of the Military Child. Show your support by wearing purple throughout the month! Play
Celebrating Military Children
0:54
Celebrating Military Children
A guardsman holds a small child in a dress with a door in the background. Play
National Guard recognizes Month of the Military Child
0:51
National Guard recognizes Month of the Military Child
Month of the Military Child Animation created as an advertisement in the observance of Month of the Military Child for the Air Force Reserve, at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, March 11, 2024. This graphic was created as a TASK to acknowledge the Observance of Month of the Military Child. (U.S. Air Force Reserve still graphic by Mr. Ivan Rivera) Play
April Is Month of the Military Child
1:04
April Is Month of the Military Child
Brooke Gibboney, the lead Child and Youth Program Coordinator for the California National Guard Child and Youth Program, and youth from the CNG read "The Dandelion", a poem about military kids. Video by David Loeffler (CNG PAO). Play
"The Dandelion"
1:22
"The Dandelion"
AFN Naples visited the Naples Middle High school, on NSA Naples to interviews students for their perspective on what it's like to be a military child in Italy. (U.S. Navy Video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Eder) Play
Military Children Talk Family, Travel
2:35
Military Children Talk Family, Travel
Since 1986, the Department of Defense has observed April as the Month of the Military Child, underscoring the important role military children play in the armed forces community. Play
Celebrating Military Children
0:59
Celebrating Military Children
Part of a series of videos made by AFN Naples highlighting Middle Schoolers from the Naples Middle High School in celebration of month of the military child. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Eder) Play
Military Children Share Their Hobbies
1:31
Military Children Share Their Hobbies
Naval Station Rota, Spain kicked off the Month of The Military Child with Rota MWR's Kids Color Run, April 1, 2023. Play
Kids Color Run 2023
0:30
Kids Color Run 2023
Part of a series of videos made by AFN Naples highlighting High Schoolers from the Naples Middle High School in celebration of month of the military child. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Eder) Play
Military Children Share What They Love to Do
2:47
Military Children Share What They Love to Do
April is the Month of the Military Child and Army leaders marked the occasion by greeting students. Play
Month of the Military Child
2:00
Month of the Military Child
Raising any family takes support. Sgt. 1st Class Michael Beck and his wife learned it can also take an Army and a Tribe to raise a family of seven adopted Native American children. This video, in honor of the Month of the Military Child, highlights how the Becks stay connected as a family and to their Lakota heritage. Play
The Beck Family
2:25
The Beck Family
Military parents read letters to their children, thanking them for all they do to support the mission. Thank you for being a military kid. Thank you for being resilient and supportive throughout our many years of service. Thank you for helping Mommy around the house and being so strong when I have to be gone for days, weeks or months at a time. Changing states, homes, schools and activities isn't easy. But you took it as a new adventure. The courage you have by going to three different schools in three years really makes me look up to you. I am blessed, thankful and grateful to have such beautiful and handsome, loving kids who not only support me but each other while I'm away. You are the reason why I work so hard. Thank you for always keeping your spirit. Most of all, thank you for being you. Your smiles, laughs and love are what I've gotten me through every day. I love you. And thank you for everything you do. This video was originally created for a 2019 Military Kids Connect campaign. Play
Thank You for Being a Military Kid
1:09
Thank You for Being a Military Kid
Children from Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, answer questions about what their parents do in the U.S. Air Force and what their experience as a military child is like. April is Month of the Military Child and honors the service and sacrifice of military kids. (U.S. Air Force video by Senior Airman Kristin Weathersby) Play
Military Kids Talk About Their Parents
2:59
Military Kids Talk About Their Parents
DoDEA students representing the elementary, middle, and high schools share what it means to be resilient in a changing world in Vicenza, Italy on April 29, 2021. To the military children in the U.S. Army Garrison Italy community, thank you. Play
A Resilient Force in a Changing World
2:38
A Resilient Force in a Changing World
Rachel Poladin leads the Dreamers Dance Crew on Osan Air base to get kids to explore their passion for dance. The crew has six members who put on regular shows on the base. Play
Dreamers Dance Crew
1:00
Dreamers Dance Crew
April is the Month of the Military Child. Join the Exchange as we recognize and celebrate our youngest heroes. Play
Exchange Recognizes Military Children
0:59
Exchange Recognizes Military Children
Meet Mackenzie, who shares her perspective about what it is like to be a mighty military kid in honor of the Month of the Military Child in April. For more, visit: militarykidsconnect.health.mil Play
Military Kid Mackenzie
1:19
Military Kid Mackenzie
Month of the Military Child Play
Month of the Military Child
0:31
Month of the Military Child
Rosita of Sesame Street wishing every child from a military family a happy Month of the Military Child. Play
Month of the Military Child Greetings From Sesame Street
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Month of the Military Child Greetings From Sesame Street
We are celebrating mighty kids around the world in honor of the Month of the Military Child in April. No matter what military life might look like, you will always be our mighty military kids. For more, visit: militarykidsconnect.health.mil Play
You Will Always Be Our Military Kids
0:59
You Will Always Be Our Military Kids
The Defense Health Agency supports military children from around the world during Month of the Military Child 2021. Play
Month of the Military Child
0:41
Month of the Military Child
We are celebrating mighty military kids around the world in honor of the Month of the Military Child in April. For more, visit: militarykidsconnect.health.mil Play
We Are Mighty
0:31
We Are Mighty
The Exchange celebrates April, the Month of the Military Child! Join the Exchange as we recognize and celebrate our youngest heroes! Play
Military Child Month
0:59
Military Child Month
Celebrate the Month of the Military Child with Aviano's military kids. In this series military children guess military acronyms, draw their parent working, try on military training gear, and answer a few questions about what it's like to be a military kid. Play
Military Kids Draw Their Parents
1:38
Military Kids Draw Their Parents
From moving every three years and making new friends to having a parent who’s gone a lot, being the child of a military service member isn’t easy. But they’re glowing with pride. Play
Military Kids Speak Out
0:48
Military Kids Speak Out

Resources