Brian J. joined the military in 2005 to stabilize the family he and his wife, Jessica, had started. The couple had 3-month-old twins and two daughters when they reached Fort Bragg, North Carolina — their first duty station. During their time served, they grew their family by four more children who all now range in age from 6 to 24.
Military family life can be summed up in two phrases for Army spouse, mom, and caseworker Rose Wilson: Expect the unexpected, and hurry up and wait.
During her first 20 years as a Navy spouse, Melissa Mosher paused her education and career goals to focus on her family and supporting other military families. Now, she’s back on the path that took a detour when military life shifted her priorities.
Tremaine Levarity joined the Navy in 2019 at the age of 37 because serving her country was something she always wanted to do. Her kids were older, with the youngest turning 13 and the oldest in their 20s.
Ashakyia Blocker was a teenager looking for stability when she enlisted in the Navy right after she turned 18.
Jack Kabwilo enlisted in the Air Force in 2024 because he wanted to learn a new trade and find a career path to support his family.
As Emily Baldeosingh walks across the campus of High Point University in North Carolina, fellow students ask about the Military Child of the Year® logo on her backpack.
The Boylands credit Operation Homefront’s Transitional Homes for Veterans (THV) program for helping them establish a stable foundation.
Ryan Hartke was a self-proclaimed troublemaker before he became a Marine, enlisting in 2008 to find purpose and stability in his life. He had been working odd jobs when he talked to a friend who had just gotten back from boot camp and realized the Marines would be a good next step.
At the age of 12, Roxie Talavera saw a military parade in Monterrey, Mexico, where she lived with her grandma. She said then, “I’m going to be a soldier.”
