Service member and young boy

Month of the Military Child

Blue Star Families - USAA logo lockup transparent

Blue Star Families and USAA know that military kids are strong!  April is the Month of the Military Child, and we want to show our #MilKids how much we appreciate them.

Why Celebrate MilKids?

Our military kids sacrifice a lot and brave uncomfortable situations so their military parent(s) can keep us safe.

Two boys plus boots

"My children's education has suffered tremendously from being a military child. I worry for their futures when we move and try to transition them to another place that may have a better education program and even if this will harm their future college dreams."

- Air Force Spouse

"Both of my children have learned to overcome and adapt. It is a part of being a military child."

- Navy Spouse

"Schools need to have more grace with kids dealing with PCSing. My son is depressed and struggling and his siblings have also expressed a lot of sadness about the total loss of social interaction. There has been no attempts by the school to reach out and I have no idea who to ask for help in advocating for them."

- Army Spouse

 

One in three (33%) active-duty family respondents report their service member has been separated from their family due to military service for six or more months in the past year and a half.

52% of active-duty family respondents to the 2020 MFLS said that COVID-19 had made their children's mental health worse or much worse.

57% of active-duty family respondents to the 2020 MFLS said that COVID-19 had made their children's education worse or much worse.

Almost two-thirds (64%) of active-duty family respondents say their child has experienced two or more K-12 school transitions due to a PCS.
(A PCS, or Permanent Change of Station, means relocating from one duty station to another and includes both stateside and overseas moves.)

Over a quarter (27%) of active-duty family respondents do not believe their child’s teacher understands how to support them when they are dealing with a military life event.

*2019/2020 Military Family Lifestyle Survey Results, Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families and USAA know that military kids are strong!  April is the Month of the Military Child, and we want to show our #MilKids how much we appreciate them.

month of the military child boy holding flag photo

Month of the Military Child

is an opportunity to celebrate military children and salute their sacrifices and service as a part of the military community. Military life is full of ups and downs and twists and turns that can require frequent moves and big life changes for the whole family. For #MilKids, it includes leaving friends behind and the challenge to start fresh and make new ones. Their resilience and bravery don’t go unnoticed, and it’s our turn to celebrate them!

Throughout the month, we have special events to recognize #MilKids and show them how important they are as a part of the community. 

On April 16th, we want you to #PurpleUp with us and don your best purple outfit (accessories too) to show your support for #MilKids.

Don't forget to take a picture of your outfit and share it on social media!

#PurpleUp

Even Elmo is joining in the fun and helping to recognize military kids!

Watch his special message!

Become a Blue Star Families member today! It's free!

Join Blue Star Families
military parents and cute baby girl in pink

Military Connected Families

Just for Kids!

Mental Health

Educational Support

Financial Resources

All About Military Families

kids waving flags

Blue Star Neighbors

Our military, which deploys around the world to protect our nation, is an all-volunteer force. Together, our military service members and their families willingly make significant sacrifices to keep us all safe.

Our military’s families are extremely proud to serve all Americans and work hard to stay strong while facing the added burdens of military life.

What keeps them strong is support from all of us – their Blue Star Neighbors!

In honor of the Month of the Military Child, please show your support as a Blue Star Neighbor and join Blue Star Families today! It's free!

I Want to Support Our Military

Events

April 1 - 30
Operation Xbox Sweepstakes (Blue Star Families)

April 9
MCEC MilKids led Podcast (Military Child Education Coalition)

April 10
Amazing Family Adventure with USO Illinois (Kidsrank)

April 10-17
2nd Annual Virtual 5K (Kidsrank)

April 13
Trust Your Gut Series - Mental Health/Anxiety (Partners in Promise)

April 14
Purple Up! Day (DODEA)

April 15
Foundations Session with Military Child Panel (Kidsrank)
Foundations with Military Children (Kidsrank)

April 16
MCEC Purple Up! Day (Military Child Education Coalition)
MCEC MilKids led Podcast (Military Child Education Coalition)

April 20
Trust Your Gut Series - ADHD (Partners in Promise)
Military Families Magazine Takeover - Interview with Author of League of Wives (Partners in Promise)

April 21
Reading & Resiliency Webinar (United Through Reading)

April 27
Trust Your Gut Series - Early Identification (Partners in Promise)

April 30
MCEC MilKids led Podcast (Military Child Education Coalition)

Purple Up!

Throughout April, we wear purple to celebrate MilKids!

Why the color purple? Purple represents all branches of the military - a combination of Army Green, Air Force Blue, Coast Guard Blue, Marine Corps Red and Navy Blue.

Service member and two kids photo