What is the True Beauty of Being a Military Kid? (2nd Place)

The following essay is the second place winner of our 2026 Month of the Military Child Writing Contest. The theme was "The Beauty of the Military Child Experience." Congratulations to Hayden M., a high school junior!

If you were to walk into any school hallway or public space, you could hear someone making the assumption that they know everything they could know about the world. They assume they know the way the culture ebbs and flows within the people of a place they have never been to. Growing up as a military kid has disproved that idea time and time again for me. No matter where I go, I learn something new about the culture and the people. That is the beauty of being a military kid; it helps you realize that there is still so much to learn about the world.

There are so many changes that are associated with being a military kid. The list ranges from new houses and schools to new hobbies. However, one aspect remains consistent: there is so much to learn. Having lived in five states has taught me that no matter where you go, the people and culture are very different from the last place. For example, the cuisine in South Carolina is centered around homestyle and “comfort food”. On the other hand, the food in Maryland is seafood-centered. Cuisine is not the only example of these differences. Another example of differences in places is the dialect. In Florida, people often employ the word “y’all,” which differs from the “guys” of New Jersey. Living in so many states has taught me that there are many differences.

While noticing these differences was a learning experience in and of itself, the true beauty of being a military kid comes from applying this lesson. When I encounter any new place, person, or situation, I take into consideration what I have learned. For example, when a new school year begins, and I meet new people in classes, I never assume information about people. No matter where they say they are from or what they do, I do not assume anything about them. This is because I have seen so many different places and cultures, and no two places are the same. Furthermore, each person has their own story, just like places. Therefore, assumptions would serve no positive purpose because people are so different.

Ultimately, I am reminded of the lesson I learned from those people in the hallway who assume they know everything about the world. Moving around has shown me that no two places or people are the same. The beauty of being a military kid is learning that everyone has differences and that you should get to know something or someone before you make assumptions. Due to this, I enter every situation with an open mind, influenced by the beauty of being a military kid.