April is designated as Month of the Military Child. It is the month when we celebrate and recognize the various challenges and opportunities military children experience; we also highlight their resilience.

The RAF Lakenheath Integrated Resilience Office and School Liaison Program hosted a Month of the Military Child (MOMC) Resilient Kids Talk. Similar to a discussion panel, military kids from around the Tri-Base community sat on a panel and shared their own experiences and perspectives about being a military child. The discussion was facilitated by the 48^th Fighter Wing Deputy Commander, Col. Robert Olvis.

Col. Olvis asked the military kids various questions, including, what advice they would share with other military kids.

Isabelle Craig and Danee Watson, both Lakehneath High School students shared how it gets better with every PCS. They said that it is helpful to look at things positively and change your mindset from “ugh, I always have to move, to oh my gosh, I get to move to a new school and make new friends, and I get to meet new people…not many kids get to do this; we are special!”

Lakenheath Middle School student, Conner Schmidt, shared “while there are some rough parts about being a military child, there aren’t any bad parts”. He expressed the unique opportunities military kids are fortunate to experience such as traveling, attending the National Junior Honor Society Leadership seminar and being granted greater opportunities that other kids may not get to experience.

The MOMC Resilient Kids Talk was filled with heartfelt discussions, laughter, and highlighted just how resilient and insightful our military kids are.