Did you know that relocation is a top issue for over a third of military families? Six year-old Malachi certainly does.
According to the 2023 Blue Star Families Lifestyle Survey, PCS moves are a top issue for approximately 37% of military families. PCS stands for “Permanent Change of Station” and is the term for when a service member (and, in turn, their family) is assigned to a new location, where they will serve - and live - for the next 2-4 years. Summertime is often dubbed “PCS Season,” as this is the height of most military moves, with approximately a million people who serve, and their family members, packing up their things and settling in a new city, state or even country during the summer months. While these moves are crucial for our nation’s defense and the readiness of our Armed Forces, they also bring unique challenges for military families, especially the youngest members.
In a short, emotional essay, Malachi - whose family will tackle a PCS move of their own this summer - shares his experience of having a father in the military and how it has shaped his childhood.
Malachi’s short essay about life as a military child. | Photo credit Courtesy Photo
By Malachi, Age 6
Here is what being military child means to me: It means meeting new people and moving to new places and just being special to the military. It also means wearing purple in the month of April.
How it feels is just a mix of emotions. Happy, because you’re always seeing places. Sad, because you’re leaving your friends. Scared, because you don’t know what is there. Frustrated, because you are like “why do we have to move here?” And that is just to me what is feels like to me to be a military child.
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Every day, America’s service members selflessly put their lives on the line to keep us safe and free. Please take a moment to let our troops know how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice.
