| The military is a large, complex organization established for the purpose of training soldiers in the best and most effective ways to protect, fight, and defend our nation, even to death. That is to say, men and women are trained in the practice of violence. Inside the larger military structure grows the less visible subculture of military spouses and children. Children of military parents are often referred to as Military brats, Army brats, Air Force brats and other derivations specific to particular branches of service. How are children affected by the lived experience of growing up inside a veritable war machine? How does the shadow of violence translate into their adult psyches and souls?; Heuristic and phenomenological research methodology was used to explore the quality and lived experiences of a small study group comprised of five men and five women. Dialogic interviews were recorded and transcribed. The interview candidates received a copy of their interview and were invited to comment on, change, modify, or clarify any part of their personal story. From multiple interviews and personal experience, I have identified 11 themes common to the military brats with whom I spoke.; The common military brat themes are as follows: (1) rootlessness and a sense of not belonging exemplified by the Greek god Hermes, god of borders, boundaries, and the journey; (2) aloneness, loneliness, and a sense of detachment and difference from the civilian collective, exemplified by the archetype of the Orphan; alone but special; (3) military dependents, traps and bonds; (4) identification with and reenactment of the warrior hero's attitudes and behaviors; (5) citizens of the world, cultural diversity and tolerance; (6) drug and alcohol abuse; (7) depression, anger and rage; (8) sexual promiscuity; (9) difficulties with commitment; come here; go away; (10) a conflicted inner sense of self; and (11) archetypal shadow defenses and self care systems. |
