Life as a military child can be a wild ride, full of adventures and challenges, as well as new friends, new schools, new cities and new countries. Here at the USO, we want to know what YOUR military life has been like and what makes it unique so that we can share your story with the world.
Whether you express it by art or in writing – via painting or sketches, essays or poems – we want military kids to answer one question:
What does being a military kid mean to you?
Showcase Categories
There will be 3 categories for this creative showcase:
- Writing -Youth (Ages 12 and younger)
- Writing -Teen (Ages 13-18)
- Visual Art (All kids ages 18 and younger)
Eligibility
The USO Military Kid Creative Showcase is open to any U.S. military child of an active-duty, Reserve or National Guard service member. Participants must be ages 18 or younger.
Showcase Rules
- Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on April 30, 2025.
- One submission per category.
- Open to children of currently serving active duty, Reserve and National Guard service members.
- The online submission form must be completed by a parent or legal guardian of the minor and sent via the online form. Parents/legal guardians must fill out the submission form to provide consent for their minor’s participation in the showcase.
- For visual artwork entries, simply take a picture of your child’s artwork or scan and upload. For writing entries, please upload your submission as a Microsoft Word document or PDF.
- Writing -Youth submissions must be approximately 75-500 words.
- Writing -Teen submissions must be approximately 500-1,000 words.
- English language requirement for writing.
- Only original art and writing will be accepted.
As part of the USO Military Kids Creative Showcase, we offer a downloadable artwork canvas for kids to express themselves freely. Please note that the use of these frames is entirely optional, allowing children to showcase their creativity in any format they prefer.
Check out a few of this year's military kids' submissions!
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Yemi E., Age 7
“Being a military kid to me means dealing with my dad being away on the ship and not being able to talk to him. My picture shows my dad out to sea with his crew.”
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Kinsley R., Age 8
“In my picture, I drew myself in a new school, thinking about how we had just moved, and my Daddy is away on his ship, and I still scored well on my schoolwork. I think this is why military children are resilient.”
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Emily R., Age 13
“I painted a picture of a Navy ship sailing away in the ocean because I am being raised in a military family, where change and movement are a constant part of life. At 13 years old, I have lived in six states, including three years in Hawaii, where my mom, siblings and I would watch ships sail away and return every day. Being a child growing up in the military has taught me how to adapt with life’s changes with resilience, courage and acceptance.”
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Harper G., Age 9
“Harper designed this collage during her daddy’s first deployment this past year. She is so proud of her daddy being in the Army, and loves being a military child!”
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Peyton Y., Age 10
“My family and I were recently stationed in Juneau, Alaska. We love being able to spend time outdoors. There are animals, like bears, orcas and bald eagles. The mountains rise up out of the ocean. But what I enjoy most of all are the long summer days, and the crimson midnight sun.”
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Here are some of our 2024 USO Military Kids Creative Showcase submissions:
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Jase M., Age 10
“Being a military child means I get hugs from my own hero at bedtime.”
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Bayley L., Age 12
“Being in a military family is hard, but I’m proud to be in one. My bonus dad serves our home country protecting us all, and I’m proud to be his daughter and proud to be in a military family. My artwork represents our country and the men and women who serve in the military protecting us all. The flag will always wave thanks to our heroes.“
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Analynn M., Age 11
“Being a military kid means my daddy is sometimes far away in distance but never in my heart.“
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Emaleigh M., Age 11
“I’m proud to be a military kid. My daddy is the best Army man and I’m proud of him!”
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Yemi E., Age 6
“Being a military child for me means going to visit my Daddy on his ship and walking up the ladder stairs to see his work office.”
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Murphy T., Age 8
“My daughter Murphy was really excited at the chance to create a drawing. Art is her happy space,” her mother explained. “I love this drawing because she has really owned being a ‘military brat’ and reclaiming the term to mean all the spoils of being a military kid and what it means to her. And she really wanted to include just her and her dad in his uniform.”
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Shaw T., Age 6
“When I asked my son Shaw about his drawing, he described being a military kid as just him being happy,” said Shaw’s mother. “We often talk about the tough parts, like moving or missing family and friends, but we relish all the good, like getting to see places we would never have the chance to, and having a community ready for us wherever we go. He’s very proud of his dad’s service and is quick to tell his new friends that his daddy is a soldier.”
