By Alyssa A., Age 10
Military life as a 10-year-old kid is pretty adventurous; it means moving around the state, seeing new places and making new friends. I’m Alyssa, and I am 10 years old. My dad has been in the military for about 15 years and is a weatherman in the Air Force. I have five other siblings and five pets. I have been a military kid my entire life.
I was born in Virginia, and I have lived in Maryland, Mississippi, Colorado, and now Texas. We move every 3–4 years. My favorite place I have lived is Colorado because the school was fun, I made new friends, it was nice and chilly, and I loved the mountains!
Her brother, Cayden, reflects the same exciting military life Alyssa writes about, expressing it through his creative artwork.
Military life has brought me to many interesting places like the Grand Canyon, Pikes Peak, Ship Island, Disneyland, Biloxi Beach, and many other places. At Ship Island, the waves were super fun! I was soaked by the waves, I played in the sand, and I collected jellyfish with my cousin and brother!
I have made many friends while moving to different states, but out of the handful of friends I have made, my best friend Alice stands out. We have been friends since kindergarten. I haven’t seen her in a while because we keep moving, but we still write sometimes!
Her family plays a big role in Alyssa’s story, and her sister Ava is part of those shared adventures along the way.
My experience as a military kid has been exciting yet challenging. I’ve been to many states, visited many cool places, and made so many friends. I’m glad my dad’s job lets me do all these things!
This piece is part of the 2026 USO Military Kids Creative Showcase. Curious to learn more about military kids’ experiences? Check out other pieces of art and writing here!
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