7 Values Military Brats Bring to Work

“Many Military Brats wear the name like a badge of honor, often because of the moves, stressors, and cultural experiences that make them more resilient than their civilian counterparts.”- (MilitaryBenefits.Info, 2021).?

As the daughter of a USMC Major and LAPD officer, I am extremely proud of my father’s service to his country and community.?Although my upbringing was sometimes challenging, I am grateful for the foundation upon which my work ethic and outputs were built. Below is a list of 7 qualities I believe that military children bring to the workplace. It’s only fitting I kick this list off with the most obvious one...

?Discipline: While some children may receive “good mornings” and kisses, my father would turn on our bedroom light, say, “It’s 0530, Schedule A,” and leave the room. Each day, we had a schedule which mapped out our tasks/duties of the day; Shower at 0535, eat breakfast at 0605, brush teeth at 0635, be at the door ready to go at 0730, etc. Schedule A was the most common; Schedule B was our weekend routine; Schedule C was super exciting, because we were eating out for breakfast; and Schedule D usually meant we had a morning appointment of some sort. This regimented background will likely not come as a surprise to those who work with me. I often say, “If it’s not on my calendar, it isn’t happening.” I also get flustered when someone changes my planner last-minute.

My father, while warm and affectionate, had no tolerance for dissent or misbehavior. He often conducted room inspections with a 5-minute warning. This expectation of always being presentable and consistently performing brings me to my next point.??

Diligence: On several occasions my dad ripped my homework to shreds, “You will not put my name on subpar work.” I have a strong desire to win, to build, and do better next time. Being hyper-aware of my deficits, flaws and oversights, I would never call myself a perfectionist. However, several people who know me- my mom, my friends, my bosses, my therapist- have described me in such a light. Delivering results matters to me and I refuse to settle for less. While this mindset has afforded me levels of success and accolades, it is not conducive to a sustainable work-life balance.?

Accountability: We take our roles and responsibility very seriously. My father is a retired high-ranking officer for the United States Marine Corps; I know perfectly well how to fall in line and take orders. While I respect authority and titles in the civilian world, I am not always impressed by them. The path to leadership in corporate America is ambiguous, leaving room to wonder, “How the hell did he get that job?” The clear, consistent expectations for rankings and promotions in the US Military is one I wish we could more easily adopt in civilian rankings.?

"I am not just proud of America's freedom, I have family who fought for it."

Patriotism: There are things I do not love about the US, but I still contend we are the greatest country in the world. I find it challenging when people critique US values, policies, or the Commander in Chief in the workplace. As someone who loves diversity, I am honored to work with multinational teams and colleagues. But more recently, I’ve found it hard to stomach when non-Americans criticize our way of life after coming to the USA for better opportunities. For me, days of observation (Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, Independence Day) are not just 3-day weekends to sell more consumer goods- they're truly a time to reflect and hold space for gratitude for the sacrifices of military men, women, and their families. I am not just proud of America's freedom, I have family who fought for it.?

Mobility: Because we bounced around as children, ‘home’ is wherever I have WiFi and a pillow for my head. This bodes well for my career which requires 20-50% travel; I enjoy airports, hotels, rental cars, and meeting strangers. Conversely, my brother longs to be in his own bed each night and has a career which requires 0-5% travel. So while some of us have 'the itch' to move around indefinitely, others are determined to stay put.

Perseverance: We view the world from a different lens. When civilians and politicians nonchalantly spoke about war after 9/11, military families were wondering, “Will my mom/dad/son/sister be deployed?” My father never sugarcoated the realities of his job and sometimes brought us to the funerals of fallen soldiers/officers. We were well aware of the fact that tomorrow is promised to no one and bad things happen to good people. Military families are often described as adaptable, resilient, strong- because we had no choice but to be.?I am also blessed to say that today my father is retired, healthy, and happy!

“There is no racial bigotry here… you’re all equally worthless.” - (Full Metal Jacket, 1987).?

Diversity & Inclusion: Race in the US Military is a weighted topic that’s difficult to unpack in a LinkedIn article. But at the risk of over-simplifying, I do believe that US Military values are inherently anti-racist. My entire life, I have seen my father make an immediate bond with someone just because of their shared experience of service. US pride and military identity supersede other identities (age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, religion, ability). That, coupled with the amount of travel military families are accustomed to, make for an inclusive culture that values people who are different from us.

And so, as we close out National Military Appreciation month, I hope you will take the time to learn a little more about a Veteran and/or their family members on your team; we take our experiences with us everywhere we go.