Personal Narrative: Growing Up In The Military

I was raised in the military, my father, Lane Benefield, was a pilot for the U.S. Air Force. My mother, Annemarie Benefield, was a stay at home mother who took care of my brother, Mason Benefield, 3 years older than me, and I. My environment was ever changing sense we moved every three years to a new place. This however, allowed me to become great at making new friend and connecting. This also allowed for me to experience new cultures and types of people, from the far south to the east coast and across the Atlantic, I have had the opportunity to expand my mind and knowledge. Growing up in the military has also taught me the importance of manners and discipline. I remember when I was about 10 my dad made it a rule that if I forgot to answer with “yes sir” or “no sir”, I was required to do 10 push ups. Although the discipline wasn’t without justification though, it has come in handy more times that I can list, such as job interviews, meeting important people, and overall impression. Now a common
misconception about being a “military brat” is that I have never had an authentic community to surround myself with, however, that’s incorrect. Everywhere I have been I have had a strong supportive community, the military itself. The connection that military brats share is that of a friend you’ve known since birth, we know each other's struggles, life, and personality to a large extent even if we’ve just meet. I’ve learned to not define someone by race, ethnicity, religion, and geography. It’s a culture that since we move so often, have no other choice but rely on each other, even Abraham Lincoln agrees, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” One of the most immense impacts being a military brat had had on me is the necessity of independence.
With my father being gone so often, my mother was left to raise two boys alone, which isn’t easy, so it took my brother and I having to step up and do the jobs my father would normally do. Along with having to rely on myself to accomplish task instead of others, this had shaped me to be an independent person that takes initiative. Incoherence having to be independent, I learned how to adapt to new people and situations. Being new to somewhere that functions differently from how you’re used to is challenging, that is why it has become essential to adapt to new environments. Which has become exceptionally advantageous in my high school career, having to adapt to new people and teachers who work differently and expect different results. As well as finding different ways around anything that I don’t grasp, so that I effectively understand it and can work
effectively. While growing up in the military has not been a walk in the park, it has taught me valuable skills and lessons that have helped to improve me. Making me effective in any situation, whether it be a new place, experience, or choice. The military life has prepared me to do the best I can do in every situation.