"BRATS: Our Journey Home" - 8-Minute Trailer

[yokota69]

I loved growing up on the air force bases my dad was stationed at, we moved 10 times by the time i graduated from high school at Yamato High at Tachikawa AB Japan in 1969. I just attend a Yamato High All School Reunion in las vegas in oct 2011, we had people there from the classes of 1960 to 1973 when the school was closed down and Yokota High School was opened in 1974, the base i lived at closed down and was given back to the japanese in Oct 1977 and is now a National Park- Showa Park.

[Karatekicker1313]

All this is so true!! - Air Force BRAT!!

[MichaelaVMiller]

I tried to do the survey, but page didn't load....

Army brat... Dad was a colonel - served 30 years. We moved every 2-3 years and

I loved the travel, but now that my parents are gone - I feel very much adrift. Born in Stuttgart, German, lived in a bunch of paces called Fort so and so in the US, graduated high school in Liberia, West Africa, college in Athens, Greece.  Now in Jacksonville, FL , and talking to people who've never left the state... leaves me with more questions than answers.

[shazTCK]

Are you a military brat who has moved back to your passport country at some point during your life? If your answer is yes, please do my questionnaire!

survey.nottingham.edu.my/index­.php?sid=17391&lang=en

I'm conducting this survey as part of my Final Year Research Project so I really need your help!

[MCMLXIXwasagoodyear]

Sorry, i posted that twice... anyways, wanted to end by saying, had a VERY rough transition when I went back to the US to start college. Had been gone since 6th grade, didn't drive, didn't know how to use a public phone, totally couldn't relate to many kids, all talking about their hometowns and prom and cruising Main Street and things that made me feel like an alien! I got over it, of course, but this video def hit home... Good job!

[MCMLXIXwasagoodyear]

Why isn't this on Netflix?! I want to rent it. Heidelberg American High School, Darmstadt & Heilbronn Elementary Schools, Fort Devens Kindergarten here... I totally related to this trailer (except the drunk father part - that's really universal - not army brat specific) and to this day have that rootless feeling... no friends since kindergarten, like some people... Fort Devens has closed and Heidelberg is slated to close, so REALLY feel like something's missing now, i can't even go back.

[MCMLXIXwasagoodyear]

Why isn't this on Netflix?! I want to rent it. .... Heidelberg American High School, Darmstadt & Heilbronn Elementary Schools, Fort Devens Kindergarten here... I totally related to this trailer (except the drunk father part - that's really universal - not army brat specific) and to this day have that rootless feeling... no friends since kindergarten, like some people... Fort Devens has closed and Heidelberg is slated to close, so REALLY feel like something's missing now, i can't even go back.

[WithurShield]

that one lady hit the nail on the head "it was more of a culture shock moving to the US than the other places." I lived in the US for over 22 years but I feel like a foreigner, visiting.

[BeetleBerlin]

Anyone know why this didn't run on the Military Channel the other evening.

Boeblingen American JR HIGH class of 1961.

[charolem]

@IrishLegacy I graduated from Augsburg American High School in 1983. There's a strong Facebook presence of us. Hope you get this.

[Journey2theMK]

I think the weirdest thing is going off to college and having your family continue to move. I feel like I should be there, I feel so tied down in the civilian life style. My husband is applying for the state department, and I want to move around the world with him more than anything else

[Carrara101]

Can't wait to see the entire film... Where are you from? I still have difficulty answering that ...

[txaggievet]

Air Force Brat my whole life. I loved the life. We went places and saw things that most people will never get to. I agree there are some issues with the lifestyle, but who doesnt have life issues, Brat or not? Many people dream of taking a 2 week vacation to Europe.. I had a 7 year one. Some days I wish I had joined the military so my kids could have the amazing adventures I got growing up, I feel by comparision their lives are somewhat boring. I just do not see the negative side.

[xletter24]

The question "Where are you from?" really hit me. My parents were both in the Army... Now 40 years old when I get that question I still don't have a good answer...

[FranciscanGypsy]

Wow. This makes the life of a military brat seem so hard. I remember it as being an adventure. As being exciting. My sister and I looked forward to moves. My parents made it fun.

Of course, maybe the fact that I was homeschooled made a difference. I didn't have to worry about changing schools.

[datzfast]

whats the crap about the drunk that doesnt have a damn thing to do with military my dad never drank a drop and retired after 23 years

[chrisisnumber1]

Am I the only Army Brat who has never been out of the US?

Lol! My Dad was in the Army until 2007, which was my ninth grade year, but the last time I actually lived on Post was when I was 4-9 years old, I lived on Schofield Barracks, but I totally understand what they mean by being "out of sync" When I moved to Columbus, Ga, it was SO different, I learned about racism, and classism, it was really hard on me. It was so funny though when I found out that some people stay in one place permanently.

[tanidn]

@chrisisnumber1 I used to do compulsory military service in Singapore before, and I can understand about having the culture shock of classism and racism... I remembered, when after my platoon went through some combat drills, and crawling through the mud. I remembered distinctively looking at myself and the soldiers around me. It hit onto me that we are all the same, and the only difference between us was who was a better soldier than others....

[paulinotou]

@chrisisnumber1 we were stationed at scholfield too. i live in belgium now. we would have never have been stationed out of the country if my parents didnt request, because the whole 20 years my dad been in the military we never got out of the states. they found a spot out here in Belgium for us

[ScaperSteph]

My experience is probably completely different from most Brats. My dad joined the Air Force in the late 60's. I was born in 73. He got out when I was 4. Then a 3 years later he joined the Army as an Active Guard Reserve. So, I semi-sorta have a hometown in New Hampshire where we lived when he got out of the Air Force (my dad's hometown). lol I only lived on a base or fort twice growing up.

[ScaperSteph]

Cont. My dad ended up being sent to either cities like Houston (for 9 months!) or little towns like Ada, OK where I knew no one like myself (I'm an only child). So, I think of my childhood as being someone adventurous and yet very lonely at the same time. The effect of all this makes me able to take change well but yet I tend to drop people too easily. (I've lived in OH, IL, NH, MA, MD, TX, OK, MO, IL, KY ...a couple states were repeated. My parents moved away from me when I was in college)

[fckoutahere]

I bet ya i'm the only person that has a Army Brat tattoo!! yep

[celticsailor7]

I spent 18 years moving around with my father. I then did 8 years moving myself. It is funny, I wouldn't have it any other way. And yes about every 3 years or so I have an almost uncontrollable urge to move.

[xletter24]

@celticsailor7 As the only child to two Army parents I HATED the moving when I was a kid. Now as an adult, I get the itch every two or three years to move... Doesn't even have to be to a different town, even a different apartment works. LOL

[rogerusacares]

I spent some time this past week with the writer of this video. I can only tell you that as the dad of six, and a retired career soldier, I look back at all the things I expected of my kids and never fully realized it until I watched the video. If you haven't bought one, you should.

Roger

USA Cares

[codeman127]

I'm 15 years old moved my entire life cause of my dads service in the Army I'm about to move to N.Carolina so I now want to go in the Marines so I can continue to move and do what my dad does

[TheEagleTalon]

I was born and raised an Air Force Brat. And, for the first 16 years, it was really all I knew. So, when I moved into the civilian world, it was indeed a shock to me to see that there was less comradery than I had known being on the bases. In fact, now, 20 years later, I still find it difficult to relate with people who grew up in the outside world.

Tyndall AFB, Florida - 1973-1979

Loring AFB, Maine - 1979-1981

Bitburg AB, Germany - 1981-1984

Reese AFB, Texas - 1984-1989

[AloneOnASeeSaw]

Entirely relate to your comment.

[MDMILITARIA]

I did to, and it appears we went to High School together in Bitburg. My name is Dion,I wonder if we knew each other? My Dad worked in the hospital: I never adjusted back to civilian life and I live over in Germany now. Iam still a gypsy.I got kind of choked up watching this video.

[MrNetyzen]

It's really amazing to read these comments and find we have so many common experiences! I was a Marine Corps Brat 60's to 80's and when my dad got out it was as much a culture shock as any move overseas!

[1947mcdonald]

wow that was my life. It put it into thoughts and words and feelings.

It was as if i was back there..wow and wow

[NLeigh80]

Thanks for posting this vid. I grew up an Army brat for the 1st 15 years of my life. When my dad retired we moved back to my parent hometown of Charlottesville VA, What a big adjustment after leaving Camp Darby Italy, and after living on post my whole life. Wish I had kept in touch with alot of my old friends. Even now every 2 and 1/2 years I get the itch to pack up and move. Funny !

[cbroome]

Air Force Brat here ^__^!

[ftalley0115]

I remember vividly taking my dad to the airport in 1967 to go to Vietnam at only 7 years old I knew full well that I may newver wee him again. 6 elementary schools I think. Can't wait to see the full documentary.

[geneseo12]

Army Brat, hooah! I'm looking forward to a chance to watch this entire documentary.

[kamiakhawk]

Navy Brat here!

[kamiakhawk]

just before 6:30 the lesson things were true i was a year ahead of my class when i moved back so my whole 6th grade year i didn't have to try hard just know what pages and then do it

[IrishLegacy]

WOW..... I'm an Army Brat.... my Dad spent 2 years in VietNam..... I graduated from high school in Augsburg, Germany.... but both my parents are from Ireland.... and this video moved me to no end.... what a blessing to be a part of such a special culture... can't wait to see this film.... I'm very thankful a friend who is also a military brat shared this with me :))

[dieselscience]

@IrishLegacy I went to five different high schools before graduating from Fulda American HS.

[babymamma74]

Loved this video. would love a copy of it. I'm planning a school reunion for Giessen high School in Germany. Our school has been deactivated. I had the luck to have both worlds. I guess in a way i had a home town since my dad didn't join until I was 6. I always went to my grandparents for summers and holidays when I could. My siblings and I spent some of the time growing up seperately because I stayed in germany after the first gulf war and my brother and sister went back to"the states".

[63armyak]

Great reminder of where we grew up and what we have become.....there is a great new site that was started a few weeks ago....MILITARY BRATS ONLINE....come check us out and perhaps find an former classmate or friend!!! Andrea :-)

[RileyDeWiley]

Embassy brat here, When I was in Indonesia and Taiwan I felt like I didn't fit in with the Indonesians and Taiwanese. I was at home with the rest of the brats though. Dad retired from the service in 1970 when I was 8, and we moved to the US - "coming home to a place he'd never been before" - and to this very day, I don't feel like I really fit in.

[karatepastor]

Air Force Brat - I used to envy people who had a hometown until my dad retired from the military and I had to live in one of those hometowns. I am glad that my perspective was shaped by the military brat lifestyle.

[angi1915]

Hometown? Yes, Please. Actually wouldn't change it for the world. It's kinda cool to be of the 5%... Born and raised, Air Force Brat!

[LupinsxLittlexGirl]

Army brat. "Where am you from?" I reply "Everywhere!" When I'm on a base, I feel like I've come home.

[ambercinders]

Awesome! Love it! I'm a diplobrat myself, so I can relate to a lot of this too. WOW, I miss AFN and I can't believe I just said that.

[threefour66]

ARMY BRAT. Even though I served 4 years in the Marines, I still feel to this day that when I visit an Army base I have come home, that is my hometown.

[mairabay]

wow! very touching!

I'm not an army brat but I'm a TCK too. I can relate to many of the things said in the video.

Thank you so much for sharing!

[nevs2007]

Bravo! I am an Army Brat. I would not give up growing up as I did. But I would not want to do it again either. Katie B.

[westernrider1098]

Military Civilian Brat here... I totally agree with this movie. When someone asks you 'where are you from' I reply 'what year?'

[horsecrazeh]

Lol that's a good one ^_^

[Paintfrog]

Air Force Brat here. Good video

[srgrimm]

Air Force Brat here............... I can relate.

[spartangirl]

"Where are your from?" My response: "Um...well...err..." Such a difficult question to give a civilian. When another BRAT asks, it means which base did you just move from.

[candi808]

great video! i am a Navy brat and currently raising my very own Army brat...it sure is genetic!

[Yuffiestyle]

Wow. Army Brat myself and I love this movie. It's soooo true and was glad to have met the directors in person to thank them.

[lmichelle1023]

My little sister recommended this, and I can truly say that this hit the nail on the head about growing up a brat. There is nothing more odd than feeling like a foreigner when you return to your own country.

[MrNetyzen]

you are so right!

[SWEETSALLYJENKINS]

This is wonderful. It helps explain so much of the mental,physical, and emotional make-up of the people in my life who lived this lifestyle...can honestly say that I have never met a BRAT...who was anything other than fascinating. Thank you for making this wonderful film.....hope it encourages others to tell their stories.

[boredinatsugi]

NAVY BRAT=] and its have to agree with pbbcpunk

[PBBCpunk]

man this video is so true.. military brats.. a subculture of our own... great stuff.