Syracuse, Utah. (April 11, 2025) You do not have to tell Brad Chapple how difficult life can be for a military child; he’s lived it. Now all grown up and Principal of Syracuse Junior High School, he does everything he can to make them feel welcome. In this photo by the Air Force’s Todd Cromar, Captain Aaron Peters greets students during a military parade to celebrate the Month of the Military Child, a series of events acknowledging the resilience, strength, and adaptability of military children.

Principal Chapple was raised in a military family and his father retired here. Chapple and his family have retained close ties with the local military community. That is why he invited Airmen from Hill Air Force Base along with community veterans, students, and faculty for discussions on the impact of military life on children, including frequent moves and the potential for a spouse (or both) being deployed. Many positive aspects of being a “military brat” were explored including the chance to travel and meet new people and experience diverse cultures.

For many children, simply having their civilian classmates understand their world and the kinds of stress they face can be a major help. Many of these kids are asked to perform adult chores and authority, especially when a parent is deployed. School events like this help open the door to frank discussions and a better understanding between military kids and their peers.

All the military services are facing a similar dilemma, roughly thirty percent of new recruits have a parent who served, and seventy percent have an immediate family member in the armed forces. This is why the military celebrates the positive life and unique opportunities afforded to military kids while acknowledging their strength and resilience.